ADVENTURES IN CHRISTMAS DECORATING

That's the spirit!

MADE ME CHUCKLE

Nokia products say "Made in China" on the back. Chinese-made Nokia-knockoffs say "Made in Finland.

found it here

NORTH KOREA TRYING TO BAN JAPANESE CARS

Intensifying a campaign that began a couple of years ago.

Yonhap news agency reported in early 2007 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il ordered the seizure of all Japanese cars after he spotted a broken-down model blocking a road.

Sounds like a reverse cash for clunkers program.

BEIJING AUTHORITIES BEAT KYODO JOURNALISTS

so reads the headline. Some details:

The authorities kicked one reporter and two cameramen and hit their heads to make them knee [sic] down at a room of Beijing Hotel, which faces Chang’an Avenue that runs east to west past the Tiananmen Square area where the National Day celebrations will be centered. The authorities, who stormed into the room around 8 p.m. without notice, destroyed two computers by throwing them out of the room to the corridor.

While non-authoritarian nations are far from perfect in the realm of free speech and free press, this is one aspect of contemporary Chinese politics and society that shouldn't be blithely ignored. The benefits of engaging with China may be so great that authoritarian excesses like these can be overlooked but perhaps at a long-term cost.

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?

Wen Jiabao and Kim Jong-il share a hug in P'yôngyang.

MAO SPINNING IN HIS GRAVE?

Or rocking back and forth in his mausoleum as the case may be.

Whatever the case, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, Chinese citizens saw much of the usual military parades, fireworks, speeches etc. But in addition, they have been given a few days off:

The national day holiday and others were extended in recent years to afford people a chance to relax and spend money.

To make matters more interesting, capitalist behemoths have joined in the fun. A few examples (more here)

McDonald's celebrates the 60th National Founding Day by offering gift cards!


Celebrate 60 years of the PRC by buying a meal and getting a free Coke glass!



Wow.