Even McDonalds On Sale

Tonight, I drove by a nearby Mcdonalds, saw the big banner saying, "$2 Big Mac, $4 Big Mac Meal!"

Wow, you know how thing goes when Mcdonalds is on Sale!

Sports and Politics

Looking back to 2008, one of the biggest event to China would be the Beijing Olympics. During the seven years leading to August 8, 2008, Beijing went through a facelift. And looking forward, many years later, people will possibly still attribute some big impacts to China to the 14 days.

Indeed, the relationship between sports and politics like water and milk. Dr. Victor Cha, former U.S. National Security Council Asian Director, explained in today's briefing to introduce his new book on sports and politics in Asia.

Why Asia?

According to Dr. Cha, Sports are particularly politicized in Asia for the reasons:
1. frequency, such events as BJ Olympics are truly big and significant events to not be politicized
2. So many resolved historic issues in the region
3. developments associated with big sports events

Regarding BJ Olympics, Cha pointed that there are four benchmarks: first being perform well, which China leads with the most gold medals, second being host well, Atlanta is not good, Sydney is good, BJ is good, too. Third being Clean Air, which had made such a huge issue before the games and the expect ion was so low that no one cared too much any more during the games. Fourth being marginalized demonstrations, which China effectively avoided and controlled.

Cha also pointed out that on 08/08/08, the opening day, Russia invaded Georgia, which was godsend good news to BJ Olympics, as all in a sudden a news cycle start that people turn attention away from Beijing, all the bad news such as Tibet issue activists, underaged gymnasts, lip sync,etc are not on the top news worldwide any more.

Even like many people, he thinks the BJ games were just too perfect, not organic. Next games in London will certainly turn the games back to real games, However, Cha did point out that the profound impacts to China are probably yet to play out.

Horror in a New Year

Happy New Year!

A 4 year girl was found dead and her body was separated in Guangzhou, China. An unemployed man in his 30s was arrested for the murder, and the police is investigating further on other related missing children cases. It could lead to a serial child eating criminal. (Yomiuri News)


A new dispute is going on between Japan and China regarding East China Sea's gas reserve, China is developing one of the four in dispute, and it has stirred up protest from Tokyo. (Yomiuri News)


The Pingpong Diplomacy's 30th birthday, Beijing is hosting a competition to celebrate relationship with the U.S. in January 1, 1979. (Xinhua News)


China publish a Microsoft software piracy criminal with 6.6 years sentence. (Asahi News)


China's People's Daily reports that over 2.1 billion yuan in bribery has been reported by various levels of officers, and the number of these who didn't report could be much higher. (Asahi News)

Chrismas Wishes

A very happy holiday to you all!


I am on holiday time off and will be back after the Chrismas. Here are some links you can check out while enjoying the time off:

CSIS at iTune University (comments, interviews, etc)


Asahi Shimbun Yearend Special (great way to understand Japanese culture at the end of a year)


Yomiuri Shimbun's 10 Biggest News of The Year (Chinese Dumping Scandle is voted by the readers as the Top 1)


Xinua News Yearend review. (The title is What a Year!)

Career Lunch Party

Today I hosted a career lunch party at home.

Amid the first snow of the season in DC, eight people came from near and far, a total of 36 ideas were brainstormed and many of them are great and actionable.

Since my career councilor brought the idea to me in September, to today when the party took place, it has been a while. I am very glad I did it, as it was definitely worth the efforts.

Since it might be the first ever career launch party (I googled career launch party and found nothing, my 43 things list of "hosting a career launch party" came on the the top), many things need improving, such as more background information will be helpful for guests to propose ideas, etc.

However, for everyone who made it and presented at the party, I say, Thanks and You made the history!

Let me know what you think about the party and you can still write in your ideas, simply leave a comment or email me dongyangxiyang at gmail.

G-20 Finance Summit Opens In Washington DC

Leaders of the largest twenty economies are coming to the town, and on the way home, I was glad to sit on the Metro subway train and looking out only to see traffic jams everywhere inside the beltway. With a tightened security, including several blocks were closed to traffic around the National Building Museum, where the G-20 finance summit is being held, your best bet in DC, if you are not one of the White House invited guests, is to take the Metro.


With Washington DC takes over as the host city for the summit, Japan is already hoping to host the next summit


No wonder Japan wants to take the leadership from the U.S., you will understand after reading Prime Minister Aso Taro's Restoring Financial Stability published at today's WSJ Asia.


Hillary Clinton, the next Madam Secretary?


China will ban lip sync. Even the practice has been around for at least twenty years, it is coming to an end only after the Olympic scandal that has drawn worldwide attention.


India will replace China to be the most populated nation in the world by 2022.


Americans all over the country are in search for a place to stay in Washington DC around January 20 for the Obama Inauguration, will the mania catch up internationally too? Like.... Japan...


One Chinese market is booming from the financial crisis, students studying abroad. Shanghai sees more students going overseas to study. Reasons: lower tuition due to strong RMB currency rate, and more foreign schools lure Chinese students and easier to get a visa now than before.


Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit is being held Nov. 14-16 in Tokyo


Why Shanghai has to change policy on recycling PET bottles?

Obama Defeats Macain, Youth and Minority Win

Historic Moment in America!

The moment the news of Obama winning announced, I couldn't help but feeling good about the country. The country which has elected Nixon and Lincoln, tonight handed the reign to a black president, the first in its 221 years history. Next thing you know, some years from now, we may see a Asian American president.

Clearly, the win also signals that previously invisible groups such as youth and minorities finally take over their front row seats, and they came out to the politics in a strong force. Many first time voters, immigrates and youth, voted for change.

Around the world, people are cheerful about the result. One American friend told me, "Finally, America will be liked again". I certainly hope so. From what I heard back in China, it seemed many are very attached to the election and Obama, considering him as someone who comes to rescue of the poor.

I stayed up late to watch the election coverage and then analysis, I had to say that I liked both Obama and MaCain's speeches, both men delivered a very gracious and upbeat tone, however, one statement stuck in my mind is, "Yes, We Can!"

Some coverage from Chinese and Japanese media are:

Biden has been an asset to Obama will be one in Obama's Asian Policy


First Lady Elect Michelle Obama profiled by Japanese media


Blacks and Youth are the strongest Obama voters


Hu Jintao Congratulated Obama


Xinhua News: Warren Buffet among candidates for treasury secretary


Xinhua Analysis: Washington Needs Beijing more than ever