Treat China as it is

Welcome to Field report day, today I went to a book release presentation in DC.The new book on West’s mythic about Asia named Dragon lady, geisha girl and our fantasies of the exotic orient.

The author, Sheridan Prasso, argued that the Asian mystique is based on the fact that west and east don’t know each enough.

A good example is such. In 1980s, Americans media and pubic said Japan is buying the America, as Sony bought Hollywood movie studios. In 2005, at the heyday of CNOOC, a Chinese oil company was bidding to buy American company , US congress passed a resolution to stop Chinese threat.

Ms. Prasso urges that treating China as it is, no more, no less.

Sino Japan News Roundup

1. Yasuo Fukuda, one of two leading candidates for japan's next prime minister, critizes Koizumi for not explaining fully as a private citizen to visit the the Yasukuni Shrine. (Asahi online)
2. China's refusal to hold a summit with Japan because of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to a Tokyo war shrine is "incomprehensible," Mr. Koizumi said. (Washington Post)
3. Xinhua News agency does an analysis on that South Korea's President Noh took a strong stand towards Japan regarding Dokudo(Takeshima) dispute. (Xinhua News)

History, History

First ever China, Japan and South Korea joint history writing has been over. A discussion was held in Washington DC to assess the results.

According to Professor Yang Daqing of George Washington University, the book is more balanced, instead of traditional Sino-centric views in China. And there are more Japanese women written in the book. Regarding to the rape of Nanjing, instead of only one number-300,000 used in the Chinese history books, another number-200,000 also presented.

Since it is the first history book ever written jointly among Chinese, Japanese and South Koreans, it is by no means flawless. But as Professor Yang said, “it is still a breakthrough”.

Funny Friday

Caption this!
a winner will receive a DVD!

Sino-US relations too vital to fall

To China, relations with Washington are the key. For better relations with Tokyo, President needs US to China’s side, or at least not US leaning to close too cost Sino-US relations.

To the US, facing mounting domestic criticism of unfair treatment, and a 202 billion dollar deficit with the China, President Bush determines to bring an equal rule to trade with China. “all we want to do is be treated fairly in the International marketplace”.

Pres. Hu did thank America for its contribution in fighting along with China in the WWII. “we will never forget the invaluable support given to us by the American government and people in our struggle against fascist aggression”. Namely, Japan.

This is also BeyondYasukuni's 100th posts, Thanks for your support along the way, look forward to yours further down the road!

President Hu in DC

Such a beautiful day in DC, and President Hu visits here facing increasing criticism and hostility. Yes, the weather is gorgeous, but the timing is bad. When Americans have to fill car tanks with over 3 dollar per gallon gas, besides Iran and North Korea, it is no surprising that all the fingers point to China.

In such a sunny, 78 degree spring day, I can’t resist walking around DC. I did take some photos, IDA(in defense of Animals) and PETA(People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) stage a video screening to protest “Cruelty on Chinese Fur Farms” in front of the White house.

I have a copy of the 8 minute DVD video; in case you need one, write me a email.

Google heard US

Have you ever wondered whether our voice has been heared, considering that there are over 35.3 million blogs out there, and the number doubles every 6 months.

The answer is Yes!

If you Google search for beyondyasukuni, and type beyondyasukuni, no space between the two words.
Bong! you get the website! Yeh!

Mr. Hu, Oil, please

With Oil price hits 70 dollar per barrel and American consumers pay $3 per gallon, China’s oil issue forces its way to this week’s Bush-Hu summit. So many issues, so little time.

Nothing affects American people more than gasoline prices, which already sees the highest ever. When I drove to Texas in February 2003, the gas per gallon was 98 cents, less than McDonalds’ dollar double cheese burger. Now, it has tripled.

BJ Sandstorm reachs Korea and Tokyo

Beijing's sandstorm did reach South Korea and even get as far as Tokyo. China has to use artificial rain to clear the dust. (AP)

big picture programmer vs meticulous technician

Uproar stirred up from Japan regarding to China’s decision to ban vessales going through a line. After Japan’s protests, Chinese government admitted it’s a technical mistake and recalled the decision.

Weather it is a technical mistake or other errors, we have no means to find out. However, the attitude towards to human errors find quite differently between Chinese and Japanese.

Certainly, to err is human beings, there is always space for mistakes. Japanese people tend to go extra length to make sure no mistakes occurred in a process, even there is one, and she usually recognizes it and finds ways to correct it. Even the mistake is beyond her capability, she will go to a supervisor to address it. In Japanese culture I know, there is no shame on making mistakes, but a shame on not correcting it immediately.

Chinese tend to work other way around, she will make sure a whole process run first, if it doesn’t, she will come back to find out any mistakes. Major mistakes that prevent a smooth running will be correctly immediately, while minor ones usually will be overlooked.

Bottom line is, Chinese is more a big picture programmer, and Japanese is more a meticulous technician.

You go, Girl (II)

After the Koto Princesses, there is another princess-Tokyo’s “Park Singing Princess”, Asami Chiyuki went live in Yuyuantan Park in Beijing.

The event is organized by Japan China Friendship promotion organization, a NGO based in Japan. Asami is from Yamaguchi before going to Tokyo to explore being a singer. She gets the nickname for singing live at Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo over 300 times, and has attracted a certain fanfare for writing a song for a deceased fan.

Asami said that she has some concerns, but what she only wants is to sing her songs. She believes that songs will overcome language barrier and she will try to transfer her message to Chinese people.
(Yomiuri Shimbun)

US Schools: Mandarin, Arabic rise, Japanese get cut

In addition to state financial crisis, Bush administration’s education reform put emphasis on math and English courses, American public schools face a reduction of Japanese language classes.

In multiracial Mecca San Francisco, out of 10 schools that are offering Japanese courses, 3 schools have closed them down.

At the same time, as the rise of China and the ongoing war on terror, Chinese and Arabic education has been put into priorities. (Yomiruri Shimbun)

Breaking News: Zhang’s in DC too

It seems not only President Hu Jintao will be in DC this week, Chinese actress Ziyi Zhang is in DC, too.

Ziyi Zhang is attending a discussion on the Chinese Film Festival 2006 held in Washington DC from April 17 to 22nd, organized by MPAA, National Geographic Soeciety and China Film Bureau, in honor of President Hu’s visit to the U.S. I didn’t get a chance to go, but I will try to find a photo or two to post for you. Stay tune.

Xinhua: Beijing is like a desert

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Sand storm struck Beijing again; it is already the seventh storm that hit the China’s capital city this year alone. Overnight, 300,000 metric tons of sand dirt has been dumped in the Beijing’s metropolitan area. (Beijing Daily)

This year’s frequent sand storms not only negatively affects Bejing’s image to host 2008 Olympics in 2 years, it also worries South Korea and Japan, which are waiting anxiously for the possible arrival of the pollutants from the mainland. (Reuters)

Japan’s seniors, facing depression and lack of security, prefer to behind the bars instead of living a sad life alone. (Washington Post)

CBS 60 Minutes: China too many boys

American broadcaster, CBS’s 60 minutes just picked up the issue, too many men for China. Reporter Leslie Starr went to Jiangxi province, she also went on the Beijing Street, talking to immigrate workers before being shut out by policemen.

Back several weeks ago, I wrote one story (glorious battle for Chinese men)about one of my classmates, whose younger sister was kidnapped and disappeared for years before being rescued, the classmate’s whole family nearly went crazy for the incident. And the trauma still visible up to day.

the story of gender gap is iceburger in oceans, in which One child policy, harshly and strictly enforced, Chinese and Asian long tradition of relying on a son to take care of seniors, and lack of social security system and rooted feeling of uncertainty towards policies.

Capmbell:Japan issue will be on the agenda of Bush-Hu summit

This is estimated by Kurt Campbell, CSIS senior vice president and scholar in Asian strategy, during a discussion reported in my previous posting.

Campbell doesn’t think Japan issue will be raised in a public setting, “the Japan issue will likely cause some concerns behind the scenes in this summit”.

It is no secrete that China counts solely on the Bush administration to improve sour ties with Japan, as China sees Japan, not only a close allies of Washington, but also a echoing bug. The key to stop Mr. Koizumi’s Yasukuni visit, is in the hands of Bush.

China’s such high hope undoubtedly put Bush in an award situation, As he wants Japan as a steadfast supporter and financier for wars on terror, but Bush also realizes that Japan is rapidly loosing ground in Asia to China.

Campbell also raises a point on rising of China’s soft power, partially thanks to declining of America’s soft power globally.

Good Friday, Advise to Bush on Sino-Japan issue

Today is Good Friday, I learned a lot on this from Wikipedia.

On President Hu’s visit to the US next week, Center for Stratety and International Security (CSIS), an influential think tank in DC, held a discussion yesterday.

At this discussion, Curt Campell, CSIS senior vice president and scholar in Asian strategy, give out his advise on Sino-Japan issue, when being asked how President Bush should react if this issue ever raised during talks with President Hu.

“So basically what the United States – what President Bush will say to President Hu – and I have high confidence in this – is that Japan is a good friend. They are a sovereign democracy. We give them advice but they make their own decisions ultimately. You need to try to do what you can to reach out to build stronger trust and confidence with Tokyo during a difficult period. That’s what I would say.” (CSIS Press briefing on Mr. Hu's visit)

President Hu (Who)?

In Just 5 days, Chinese President Hu will in DC. One of Mr. Hu’s agenda is to convince America, possibly to the world as well, that rising of China is a peaceful one. Can he delivery it?

Frustration on the US side is obviously growing, currency manipulation, privacy, 300 billion trade deficit with the US, are top issues among others. China’s vice premier, Ms. Wu Yi is flexing Chinese buying power, with 15 billion dollars to purchase things from Boeing jets to Microsoft software; it seems it won’t be enough to satisfy Americans.

Failure to make progress in these economic issues may undermine political progress.

Sino-Japan News Roundup

When being asked about the leading candidate for next Japanese Prime Minister, Abe Shinzo, who expressed to go visit Yasukuni Shrine if he is elected, Chinese spokesman Liu Jianzhao reiterates that history issue is a principle and inevitable problem. (Xinhua)

A confrence, Sino-Japan Economic Exhange and Promotion orgainzed by Japan Commerce and Industry Club in Shanghai, was closed for media coverage. Yomiuri reported that it seems beacuse of a pressure from Shanghai government side.

Myth of Kungfu

Thanks for your support along the way. Here is my video on Chinese Kungfu that I'd like to share with you. Enjoy!

Project X: Project Exchange

Japanese government decides to provide popular NHK TV program free to Chinese TV stations, in attempt to enhance understanding of Japan in China, especially among the young generation. (Yomiruri Shimbun)

As Japan’s economy looks optimistic, so do shopping centers and consumers, once again, consumers flood stores and patronize goods from $150 sneakers to house ownership.(Washington Post)

Does China need 442 airplanes a year?

442 airplanes, including 150 the Boeing 737s, and 150 Airbus A-320s, are ordered by China in the year 2005.

The problem is not that 1.3 billion people don’t need that many aircrafts, quite the opposite, according to one Chinese aviation analyst, compared to a single US airlines that has a fleet of 1,000 aircrafts, the number of all aircrafts that Chinese airlines have is around 900. That is why Boeing bets big in China and it forecasts that by the year 2024, China needs 2,600 airplanes.

The real concern lies in the fact that barely 5% of Chinese flies, air travel is still considered a luxury. The number of frequent air passengers is even lower. How to convince and motivate majority of 1.3 billion people, who just recently did well enough to travel, to buy a air ticket that is equal to a month salary.

Sino-Japan Internet Arts Exhibit

Welcome to another Art Tuesday.

Japanese New Media Artist-Keigo Yamamoto had an exhibit in Shanghai. How receptive for this kind of art in China is a topic saved for another day, it is an effort to enhance exchange of arts between the two countries.

A fine art expert is a natural born in Japan, given Japanese’s detail oriented craftsmanship, relentless pursue of perfection, and Japanese culture’s rooted emphasis on simplicity yet elegance.

Anti-Japan protest, One year later

Last April, anti-Japan protest in China spread more quickly than SARS, thanks largely to Internet BBS, and shot text message on mobile phones. In a week and two, tens of thousands in more than 10 cities take the issue to the streets, from Beijing, Shanghai to Xi’an, Chengdu, and some place like Shenzhen, where more foreign invested companies stay, witnesses a largest ever anti-Japan demonstration.

What went wrong? How to heal the wound? A Chinese writer-Liu Ning, speaking fluent Japanese, offers his answer in a book called摈弃中日友好的乡愁 (Go beyond Sino-Japan’s Friendship Mentality), is now circulating in Internet.

New low for Sino-Japan relations

Mr. Hu offered to break ice and warm up for Sino-Japan relations, which is on the condition that Japan’s leaders no more Yasukuni visit, Hu’s offer has been rejected by Japan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, which is also the leading man to succeed Koizumi this September, said, “We cannot accept his assertion that Japan's leader is totally to blame for the current difficult phase of the Sino-Japanese relations,"

While the relations get worse by day and night, it seems that both governments have no better solutions, besides recent delegates to China led by former Japanese prime minster Mr. Hashimoto. At the same time, both sides step towards further south apart.

China plans to Expand Display of Imperial Japan's Atrocities. And, Mr. Abe critizes Mr. Ozawa, the new president of Japan Democartic Party, for proposing seperate the war deads from war criminals worshiped at Yasukuni.

Mr. Hu coming to DC

China's President, Mr.Hu will in DC starting next week, and China purchasing delegates, led by Chinese “iron lady”, vice premier Wu Yi is in the States, flexing China’s buying power from airplanes to soybeans, from steel to corns.

Are Mr. Hu and Mr. Bush going to talk about worsen and worrisome Sino-Japan relationship? It is highly impossible. Both men have a lot on their plates, North Korea, Iran, Piracy, Currency, Human Rights, etc.

However, the gesture is a good sign by itself. When the Chinese want to have a better relation with Japan, they know where to go-Washington DC.

Another argument between Chinese and Americans is to regard treatment level for Mr. Hu’s visit. State level or not? Spokesman Qin Gang said, it is a state visit. But White House press secretary McClellan said it is a visit. Even Mr. Hu will not get a state dinner from Bush as Indian PM Sigh got, but he will have a formal lunch at the White House, and stay at state guest house-Blair House.

If you can get all the substance, why limit youself to the forms and styles? I guess, it is the chinese concept of Face is to blame.

Sexiest Woman in Asia

Weather you like or dislike, she is HOT in Japan. Who else? Zhang Ziyi.

At recent Japanese verson of magzine Playboy, Zhang is the cover girl, and at the same issue, she is also selected as the top one Sexist women in Asia. The movie in which Zhang Ziyi stared, the Memoir of Geisha, has been banned in China, for the reason that a Japanese prostitute was played by a Chinese actress.

Rolling Stones rolls to China

3 years, when rock band rolling stones was planning a trip a concert tour to China, it had to be concealed due to the SARS outbreak. Finally, they landed in Shanghai today.

Shanghai has attracted a dozens singers in recent years, among them are Elton John, Whitney Houston and heavy-metal group Deep Purple.

DC Hamami, Sakura Matsuri

Welcome to the field report Wednesday, greetings from DC, where cherry blossom festival is under going, and the flowers are at their full beauty.

In case you are in DC, check out the following events.

• Dance and Drum (Taiko) performance at the Kennedy Center, by Tamagawa University groups.
• Fireworks on the Potomac River, from the last year's picture, it is gorgeous.
• Anime Marathon and Classic Japanese movies by director Mikio Naruse a the Freer Gallery
• Japanese Art Hokusai exhibit at the Sackler Gallery
• Well-known violinist Marimichi Kawabata plays Today at the Kennedy Center.

If you are not in DC, you can enjoy the beauty of Sakura, too. Check out the Cheery Blossom Webcam.

War of Words: Round II?

Since Mr. Hu voiced out his stand on Mr. Koizumi Yasukuni’s visit, both politicicans and businessman from Japan and China have spoke up about it.

Japan FM Aso Taro reiterated that it is hard to understand why Mr. Hu takes such a hard stand on this issue. (personally, I don't see why since both sides' stands on Yasukuni have been harsh and harsher for a while). China’s Foreign Minstry spokesman fought back, blaminig Japan's responsibility in last year's multi-city anti-Japan protests.

Mr. Kitashiiro, president of Japan Association of Corporate Executives, one of three most influential Japanese economic lobbying groups, voiced his disappointment towards Hu's speech. Mr. Kitashiro said, Hu’s speech “politize the Yasukuni visit issue, it is even harder for Japanese leaders to stop the visits”.

As one year anniversary of large scale anti-Japan protests is approaching, are we going to see another round escalation of such exchange of words? It certainly does no good to prevent another or even bigger protests from happening this year.

Japan Robo Show

From google Video, the robot fight club thing is so Cool.

wine boom in China

Since last year when consumption of Wine (putaojiu) in Shanghai beats Baijiu(Chinese hard liquor) for the first time in history, wine drinking is catching fire everywhere in China.

In Beijing, cooking association and a French company jointly offer a class on French wine, in which an instructor teaches you how to appreciate, drink and serve. Not surprisingly, more women present in the class than man, Is that　girly to drink Wine? Especially in vast areas north of Shanghai, man think drinking means you drink Baijiu or Pijiu(beer). And beer drinking becomes popular not over 15 years ago.

In Xinjiang, where best grapes grow, a local winery has brought a French winemaker on board, one executive said that they realize how competitive the market is, with abundance of cheap wines from Chile, South Africa, etc, but they also aim American market.

Sino Japan News Roundup

Happy Monday! In DC, coming of spring is offically in the air.

1. Nuclear power plant construction, among high flying oil prices and global awareness of CO2 emission, is taking off again in China and the US. in Japan, last week, a plant to recycle nuclear wastes has kicked off. (Reuters)

UNITED STATES - Incentives for new nuclear power stations in the latest energy bill. Generators are in line to get $3.1 billion in tax credits to build new nuclear power stations. The industry has been virtually frozen since the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, the worst such accident in U.S. history, which stirs up the China Syndrome and Jane Fonda saga.

CHINA - Plans to build 30 new nuclear reactors by 2020 to meet its booming energy demand. It has nine reactors producing around 2.3 percent of its power but aims to raise nuclear to four percent within 15 years.

JAPAN - Japan is the world's third largest nuclear generator after the United States and France. Nuclear supplies about 30 percent of its power. The government plans to raise this to 40 percent by building five new power stations by 2010.

2.Pingpang Diplomacy again, after 50 years? China and Japan is marking 5oth anniversary of Takyu (table tennis) diplomacy with Fujihara Ai and competitions of youth players from both countries.

3. 5 hours by train from Beijing to Shanghai in 2010, a shorter trip compared to current 14 hours. After both Japan and German have stirred up so much heat to compete for this meat, Chinese decide to go with their own. Surprised? not me. Play laowai (foreigners) is not a new trick and will be used again and again.