Chinese Language Blog

As the dazzling displays of fireworks, interpretive performances and welling nationalist pride of the 2008 Beijing Olympics fade from international memory, another pro-China, six-month event (the largest and most expensive of it’s kind) has just begun this weekend in Shanghai, China (上海 Shàng hǎi). The Shanghai World Expo or 中国2010年上海世界博览会 (Zhōngguó Èrlíngyīlíng Nián Shànghǎi Shìjìe Bólǎnhuì) is a chance for Shanghai to steal a little thunder from it’s neighbors-to-the-North, celebrating the the most modern（现代 xiàn dài) and cosmopolitan city of China, as it’s involvement in global trade, finance and culture mark it as one of the 21st century’s “new great world cities”. For 上海 it is a long overdue honor, but better late than never.

Much like in the prelude to the Beijing Olympics, the government has been allocated billions in renovation/construction funds along with an area larger than 5 square kilometers to hold expo events. They’ll be needing all that floor space considering that an estimated 75-100 million people are expected to attend the event over the six month time-period, including hundreds of dignitaries, politicians, businessmen and moguls of industry. It’s now Shanghai’s turn to shine.

The ceremony opened with with yet another massive display of fireworks, including LED screens and lazer lights over the Shanghai river (not to mention, indoor performances including the Jackie Chan variety hour). and

But the real pomp and circumstance associated with World Expos comes with the building and unveiling of pavilions (亭子 tíng zi), most of which represent an individual nation or a regional entity. If you are a fan of unique architecture, graphic design and/or interactive displays, then I urge you to start looking for plane tickets now. View Slideshow here.

Most notable of the pavilions are the five “urban-themed” Shanghai comprised of Urban Dwelling, Urban Footprint, Urban Planet, Urban Beings and Urban dreams. The goal of these pavilions is two-fold: first, it shows the conscious effort China is taking to combat climate change, and secondly, it’s trying to convince foreign politicians, businessmen and dignitaries to open up shop in China.

After all, much of this event is all about proving that Shanghai can compete with New York, London, and Hong Kong for investment and market share. Sure Beijing may be the political center of China, but Shanghai is a cultural and economic powerhouse, touting a glitzy and fluorescent skyline that attracts foreigners like moths to flame. Further, more people speak English in Shanghai than Beijing, especially among young business elites, yuppies and college students, which adds to it’s appeal as an “international city” with half a million 老外 expats. There are more western amenities, restaurants and stores in Shanghai, along with a nightlife that would give NYC a run for it’s money.

As a result, Shanghai and Beijing citizens have often been at odds of one another, calling the other “fake” or too westernized (if your a Beijinger), or too “boring” (if you’re a Shanghai resident). It’s like the back and forth between New Yorkers and LA residents, except no one knows where to find a good bagel and people are pushy everywhere in China.

So Shanghai, this is your official introduction to the rest of the world (although you’ve been a large and unofficial member for quite some time). Sure Beijing had it’s chance, but that was two years ago. No point in living in the past. Never again will you be seen as Beijing’s successful, but under-appreciated brother to the south. Bask in it, because as Beijing will tell you, the sunlight fades when the closing ceremony ends…or wait, was that just because of the pollution restrictions?

When I lived in Beijing, every day I would pass a trash compactor station where tricycle-bound trash collectors would empty the contents of the storage tank mounted on the back.  I would reflect on how having  a roving fleet of trash collectors could replace several garbage trucks and reduce congestion and air pollution on Beijing’s roads.  Anything that could not be recycled was 垃圾 (la1ji1 trash), and I’d bring my paper, glass, and bottles to independent people bearing signs reading 高价回收 (gao1jia4hui2shou1 [high price paid for recycled goods]).  It was never difficult to find them- there were about 3-4 stationary people in high-visibility areas within a 1-mile radius of my apartment.

Now in Beijing’s so-called “7th ring” area, there is a growing concern about trash management.  According to a recent Guardian article, Beijing’s existing trash-handling capacity can only handle 61% of the trash produced daily (11,000 ton handling capacity to meet a daily output of 18,000 tons).  This has led to an unexpected short-term solution.  Instead of developing a contingency plan for improving recycling, waste management officials have installed several deodorant guns near landfills past Beijing’s 6th ring road.  This is used to keep the smell down before the trash is burnt.  This has led me to informally examine systemic issues with recycling both in Beijing and Shenzhen.

In my building, every floor has two separate trash bins- one for recyclable items and one for non-recyclable items.  Since moving to Shenzhen last August, I had assiduously separated my trash into each bin every time I took out the trash.  Earlier this week, I encountered a building employee emptying both bins into one bag, commingling my biodegradable newspapers with plastic bags.  After asking the woman what happens to the trash, she notified me that a person downstairs 分类 (fen1lei4 [sorts]) it.  Except for glass, it seems that most waste could be dropped down a chute rather than having someone come upstairs, mix it, then bring it downstairs for somebody to separate it again.

Most of the  coworkers whom I surveyed expressed that separating their goods was very 麻烦 (ma2fan2 [annoying]), but that they’d consider doing it if it were made easier.  Readers, what have your experiences been with waste management in China?  Does your office separate trash from recyclables?

With the recent (although a long time coming) announcement of Google shutting down its operations in mainland China, comes much debate about the reasons and justifications for doing so. While Google (谷歌）has made claims about invasion of privacy, blocking content, and security breaches (including email virus attacks to gain info on human rights advocates) as justification enough for the pullout in China, the real reasons for Google’s sudden exit from the largest and fastest growing online and cell phone market in the world are much simpler: they just can’t compete with Chinese interests.

Let’s take a look at a few factors that played a role in Google’s decision.

First, Chinese internet is censored, a fact most people are aware of. However, its decisions to censor certain sites (gmail, facebook, youtube etc…) are not all due to maintaining political influence or silencing critics. Often times, websites that are censored are done so to provide greater market entry or market share of budding Chinese (often knock off) social networking sites. The justification is simple: these sites provide constant, and targeted advertisement space to sites people visit hourly. However, ad revenue is decided by those who own the pages, hence, domestic or Sino-centric sites are given preferential treatment as foreign sites are often “temporarily down” for weeks at a time. It’s not censorship really–it’s profiteering.

Second, is the nature of Chinese business and company structure. While the Open Door Reform Policy （改革开放）of 1979 ushered China into the capitalist global framework, the last 30 years have shown an intertwining of state and government-run joint ventures with private investors. In the last 10 years, as these joint ventures have shifted toward the private sector, the affiliations, dealings and financial support have not. As a result, companies like Baidu (百度) and China Mobile have been able to leverage influence or simply bribe their way into gaining market share while foreign companies like Google have to wait for any leftover scraps.

Third, due to the lack of regulations and legality in China regarding intellectual property rites, high end software is easily mimicked and provided to the population for free, removing much of Google’s profit stream for China. Google apps, Droid software, search engines, social networking sites–all of it is being re-branded in China without Google seeing a dime.

Fourth, broadband or high-speed internet is almost nowhere to be found in China. In fact, in all my time spent there, only government buildings had the fastest speeds (around 5-10 mbps) while the average internet household averaging an only 1 mbps or less connection. Compare that to the ubiquitous 100mbps or faster speed that is found in the US, and Chinese internet simply can’t handle the bandwith required for smart phone programs, youtube streams or video chat to be worthwhile. As a result, Google websites specific to these high speed settings fail to run properly and are thus infrequently used by people living in China.

Lastly, and the over-arching reason why Google is pulling out of China is common sense. Four years ago when Google gained access to China, it was seen as a thriving market with millions of internet users joining per day. Google saw it as an untapped market just itching to explore the internet with Google leading the charge. However, what they found in China was a population unfamiliar with the freedoms and curiosities put forth by a global community. Baidu seemed simpler and catered to burgeoning interests, but neglected the more controversial and complicated aspects of freedom of speech. It worked well with the internet infrastructure and carried all the western tv, movies, fashion and culture China was developing a taste for without introducing those pesky political or human rights issues. Since then, not much has changed. Before Google left China, Baidu had overwhelming market share and was overwhelmingly preferred by Chinese citizens (especially with youth and young adults). It seems the services Google provided to China was unwanted and seldom used, so Google said “why bother?” and pulled out two days ago.

While the reasons for Google leaving China are many, it highlights the singular resounding issue at hand, which is internet censorship. While a slight blow for short term Google revenue streams, this move could be disastrous for the long-term growth of Chinese ingenuity. The simple fact of the matter is that censoring information, no matter if it’s through book burning or blocking websites has a negative effect on education and the ability to advance as a society. Just as the Chinese blocked their harbors to trade ships in the 18th and 19th centuries, they are now building a “Great Firewall” of China to keep western internet out.