Tainted Heparin found in 11 Countries

Tainted Heparin, a blood thinner, from China has been found in 11 countries including: Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the US. It has been blamed on over 80 deaths in the US alone.

The NBC Nightly News (April 29) reported the Heparin was reportedly contaminated by the Chinese supplier using an alternative ingredient. This is similar to the tainted pet food case.

As a result, hearings are being held in Congress this week to impose stricter regulations on Chinese imports. The FDA has announced it will set up three offices in China in order to keep a closer eye on Chinese made products.

Wreck Not Result of Terrorism

A tragic passenger train collision in Shandong province of Eastern China has been labeled an accident due to human error and not an act of terrorism. The wreck was resulted in at least 70 deaths and over 400 injured. One train reportedly jumped the track an ran into the other. The wreck occurred in a rural area. Villagers helped rescue workers by using farm equipment to free the victims.
Source: CNN News

Everythings coming up...tulips!

To honor the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, a giant tulip dragon was created in the tulip gardens of Keukenhof in Holland. The dragon is composed of over 24,000 tulips and measures 10 x 15 meters.

The prince of the area, Willem-Alexander, is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Unit 3: Lesson 2a

Won’t you be my neighbor?
I found a wonderful five part series from NPR on China and its neighbors. There is a separate piece on Japan, Vietnam, India, and South Korea. (Unfortunately it appears the piece on Russia is missing.) The history of the relationships with these neighbors appears to affect the current political, economic, and cultural influences China has on them.

Japan, with its floundering economy, has watched China’s soar. Japanese factory owners are looking to China to relocate their factories due to a cheap labor pool. Japan, who has the most to loose, appears to be “jealous” of China.

Vietnam seeks to import tourist from China. China is Vietnam’s 3rd largest trading partner. Although both areas are currently communist, sheer physical proximity to China is a concern of Vietnam.

Economic development is the focus of both China and India. With the “strategic envy” of the past gone, they have also preformed joint naval exercises. Both appear more concerned with their internal struggles than each other.

South Korea sees China as an economic source at home and in China. All ages are learning Chinese: some learn in order to do business in China, others learn to accommodate Chinese tourist.

As long as all of these neighbors continued to “play nice” together, I don’t see why the US government should make any changes with their policies. Considering the current state of our own economy we may be better served focusing our attentions internally. US involvement in the relationships of China and it’s neighbors should only come should China choose to become a military bully. This is a possibility which looms over its neighbors, but due to their reliance on each other politically, economically, and culturally I think/hope it is unlikely.

Unit 3: Lesson 2b

The Minority’s Minority
Of the 56 recognized minorities of China, the Lhoba numbering only approximately 2300 is the smallest of the groups. Located in Southeastern Tibet, they were labeled “inferior” and “wild” by the Tibetans. But with Han and Tibetan help the Lhoba have been brought into the 21st century with transportation infrastructures, new farming methods, and electricity, which brought with it phones a television. The Lhoba were finally able to make contact with the outside world.

The Lhoba way of life has changed drastically since the 1950’s and the liberation of Tibet. Until then the people and the region were “unknown”. The government afforded the people money to help “civilize” them. This resulted in structured housing and paved roads to the region. Ironically these paved roads are leading the young Lhoba away from their homes and their heritage.

Unfortunately with change the customs of this group appear to be at risk of extinctions. They have no written form of language aside from a wood notching method. This is a point of concern for its members. With the children of the Lhoba’s being exposed to English thanks to the modernization of China, the language of the Lhoba is endangered.

The traditional form of dress has become “complicated” to its members. The elaborate jewelry of the women signified wealth. Now is seems to be a mere hassle to wear.

The deputy of the region is to ask the National People’s Congress to help preserve the Lhoba’s customs. I think instead of seeking the government's assistance, the Lhoba need to look to their own people to preserve their heritage. They should be proud of who they are and what their culture represents. It is no easy feat to survive as a minority in China. At least this group appears to have the government on their side.

Chinese Nationalities
The Lhoba ethnic minority
China's smallest ethnic group "lost in translation"

Unit 3: Lesson 1

Uighur: Domestic Terrorist or Scapegoat?
China announced it had uncovered in January (but only recently acknowledge) a terrorist plot targeting the Beijing Olympics. This is one of several plots exposed to date. This particular plot was to inflict suicide bombings at the 2008 Olympics. This follows the Chinese government’s previous claim that a 19-year old girl targeted a China Southern airplane with a gasoline explosive.

The minority group of Muslims blamed in both cases was the Uighurs. They reside primarily in northwestern China in an area of Xinjiang. They make up over half the population of this area. Supposedly the terrorist group of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement is housed in this area.

The explosives previously used by this group for bus bombing in the mid 90’s are thought to come from gangs who use them for illegal mining operations. This is at the same time when Uighurs were demonstrating against nuclear testing in their area. Considering the extremes here, somehow it is hard to believe we are talking about the same group.

These facts also come into question because the Chinese government has a history of “exaggerated claims of terrorist plots as an excuse to crack down on its restive minority population” per human rights activists. Others have called for more concrete evidence due to the national implications.

With the government’s history of persecuting minorities and justifying it by labeling them terrorist, it makes you wonder why the plot was uncovered in January, but only reported now? One can only assume the 45 people the government detained have been ‘dealt with’ by governmental standards. The 19 year old girl involved was reportedly tortured into confession.

Uighur leaders have accused the government of arresting some Uighurs in attempts to prevent any uprising from their minority in the wake of the demonstrations in Tibet. This appears to be too little too late. Newsweek and the New York Times both report demonstration and detentions are also happening in Xinjiang at approximately the same time. Curfews and religious restrictions have also been implemented.

This area became more volatile with an influx of Han Chinese at the blessing of the Chinese government. The Hans have taking over control of the economy and are attempting to impose their cultural beliefs on the Uighurs.

The Uighurs, like Tibetans, wish to break away from grasp of China in order to freely express their religious beliefs. This appears to be the fact that has sealed their fate of persecution. As we have seen one size MUST fit all in China per the government. The Han Majority rules. Ethnic and religious minorities don’t fit into the formula of China.

Works Cited:
Gettys Image
"Tackling China"
"State of Control"
"China says it has uncovered Olympic terror plot"
"China Confirms Protests by Uighur Muslims"

Spiderman hits Hong Kong

Alain Robert, aka the French Spiderman, scaled the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong yesterday. His motive was to bring attention to global warming.
Roberts was detained by Chinese police and hotel security after he reached the top of the 46 story building.

He was not charged and later released. Unlike last year when he was deported from China for scaling its tallest building. Ironically, later that year he was invited back to scale a mountain to attract tourist.

AP Photo
For more info click here

China Reduces Number of Executions

China reduced the number of state executions in 2007 per Amnesty International. Chinese officials attributed the reduction to a revamp of the way capital cases are handled.

However, they still lead the world in executions with a reported 470 cases. This is compared to 1010 in 2006.

The actual number comes into question because “death penalty figures are treated as a state secret in China”. There are at least 60 rules that if broken are punished by death in China.

Survey Says

A recent Zogby Interactive poll presented the following findings of 7,121 American voters and their opinions of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing:

70% - felt the International Olympics Committee was wrong to award the Olympics to China due to the poor human rights record
48% - think US political leaders should boycott the opening ceremonies
31% - believe the US Olympic Committee should boycott the games altogether
23% - believe President Bush should order a US boycott of the games
46% - agree a boycott is appropriate to show the US’s dissatisfaction with China human rights history
71% - believe a boycott would be hypocritical on behalf of the US due to the large amount of imports from China
55% - will avoid buying Chinese products as a response to the crack down by China in Tibet
48% - believe negative stories will go unreported out of fear of retaliation from the Chinese government
94% - believe the Chinese government will try to censor negative stories about China.

Work Cited:
“Zogby: 70% Believe IOC Was Wrong to Award Olympic Games to China”

Another Olympic Terrorist Plot Uncovered

Another plot to use the Olympics as a world platform has been uncovered. This plot appears to be an international terrorist plot as opposed to the domestic plot uncovered earlier this year.

Thirty-five people, who are believed to be members of an organization with ties to the Middle East and Central Asia, were arrested between March 26 and April 6. They were planning to kidnap athletes, journalist, and guests of the Olympics. In addition, explosives and "jihadist" brochures were confiscated.

This follows the turbulent path of the Olympic torch from the start of the relay. Demonstrators, some pro-China and others against China's human rights polices and the handling of the situation in Tibet, continued to disrupt its course as it traveled through San Franscisco yesterday (4/9/08) during its only US stop. It is currently on its way to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Officals vow the relay will continue.

Works cited:
China 'uncovers Olympic terror plot'

Protests Stop Olympic Torch Run

Plagued by numerous demonstrations, the Olympic torch run through Paris has been canceled. Six groups had legal permits to demonstrate along the route. All this comes is light of the Chinese governments handling of the treatment of protesters in Tibet in addition to other human rights issues.

The mayor of Paris permitted a sign saying "Paris City of Human Rights" be hung from city hall.

Reports Without Borders, had threatened they had something "spectacular" planned for the run after they disrupted the lighting ceremony. Other demonstrators attempted to put out the torch with a fire extinguisher.

Works cited:
"Olympic torch hit by protests during Paris leg"

Winter Storm Damage

This is a picture my husband took of a banana trees in Liuzhou. They were damaged in the winter storm which occurred earlier this year. This has been predicted to result in higher prices.

This follows last years rumor that bananas from Hainan Island contained the SARS virus. Previous rumor claimed the same bananas caused cancer.

Unit 2: Lesson 5

First-hand Experience with Factory Workers

From what you read and hear in the media and from what we have studied in this course, the conditions for a worker in China are dire. Instead of focusing on the negative, I wanted to share a more positive experience.

My husband’s company produces office furniture. Their original focus was on office chairs. They mainly use factories in Taiwan for this production. My husband was hired to assist in the development of a case goods (desk, bookshelves, conference tables, etc) line.

His most recent business trip China was from March 18- 28, 2008. The main purpose of his visits is to check the quality of the products.


They use three different factories across China for the productions. This is due to the quantity of merchandise needed. Of the three factories, the plant located in Liuzhou seems to provide the best working conditions. It is a private owned company, but it provides housing with dormitories and food in a cafeteria for its employees. This is a picture of new dorms being built.

In the other picture you can see that uniforms are provided too.

My husband has noted with each trip there is a new piece of equipment in the factory. However, some machines are still out-dated. Most of the work is done by hand. Note that while finishing the furniture they are wearing any safety equipment to protect them from the fumes.

The factories do not have air-conditioning. In some of the other plants they resolve the heat issues of the summer by only having three walls to the plant. This also provides some ventilation from the finishing fumes.

New labor laws went into affect January 1. The new law provides that, “employers cannot make staff to work overtime for three hours a day, and overtime cannot exceed 36 hours per month… employees should be paid double time if they work at weekends.”

Although I feel that this example of working conditions in China is not the norm, let’s hope it is a trend for the future.

Works cited:
China Passes a Sweeping Labor Law
China enacts new labour law amid rising discontent
Workers complain about overtime fix

Bush to Skip Olympics?

Members of the US House have sent a letter to the President asking that he not attend the Olympics in Beijing later this year. This request comes after the recent “suppression” of the Tibetan riots at the hands of the Chinese government. It is in addition to concerns regarding other human right issues in China.

Leaders of France, Germany, and Great Britain have announced they may not attend. The letter sent asks that Bush follow the lead of other leaders.

In the article "House members urge Bush to skip Olympics" the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Qin Gang, stated, “We hope to enhance mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation with other peoples through the Games. We must follow the purpose of the Olympics and not politicize the games.”

On a different issue regarding the Olympics, my husband said that during his recent visits to China, there are plans to temporarily shut down plants to offset pollution. This is in addition to having the most severe polluters moved outside of Beijing.

He said the news also mentioned something about an element they are going to put in the air to “bring the pollution down to earth” and out of the air. I seriously doubt this is possible and if so they are creating another problem by solving one through pollution of the soil. Not to mention the impact on the people.