Get Off The Phone!

As we all know, cell phones are a huge part of people's lives. I know I can't live without mine. It's as if my whole life is in that little metal box. Well, the Chinese are no different.

Attending a lecture in China, I was surprised at the number of people who left their cell phones on. Throughout the whole lecture, these students were answering their phones, talking non-stop. No one seemed to care. As an American, this seemed highly disrespectful. For some Americans, their hearts jump when their phone starts ringing in class because they are so embarrassed. Why is there such a difference between the cultures? Are they too flexible? Are we too rigid?

Technology and communicating with the outside world seems to be a growing interest in China. The Chinese are on the Internet and learning English. Some of the girls I taught two years ago are still emailing me and asking me to help them come to the United States and to help them improve their English skills so that it is possible. Why do you think they are doing this?

Some people may argue they are trying to be like us. I recall some people on this blog asserting that people throughout the world want to be like us, and that is why they listen to our music and embrace our culture? I don't agree. I think that they are now more able to learn about other cultures. Everything outside of their bubble is foreign to them and they want to hold on to something different. Maybe they are getting more freedoms, and this allows them to feel fine talking on the phone during a lecture, and singing along to Britney Spears. Who knows...

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_39/b3901066.htm

Self-esteem, Gender, Weight, and the Chinese

This semester, I have been taking a Psychology of Gender class. Recently, we have talked about self-esteem and how that relates to gender. In our book, it mentioned a study of self-esteem in people throughout the world. In every country they looked at, they found that men had a slightly higher self-esteem than women, that is every country except China. In China, women had a slightly higher self-esteem. I found this very interesting. With all the talk about women's rights in China, you would think that it would be the opposite. So are things in China really not that bad for women?

I decided to investigate this issue further, but didn't really find anything regarding gender and self-esteem. Instead, I came across an article which asserts that Chinese teens are getting more depressed. Why is this? It all goes back to weight. They don't want to look like fat Americans. Skinny is in. "Chinese teens who think of themselves as fat, even if they were normal or underweight, are at a greater risk for depression and school-related stress, a new USC study has found."

I met many young Chinese girls during my time over there who were terrified of being fat. Some of them wouldn't even eat the bite-size snickers bars we brought.

Researchers argue that this could be our fault. "In another study published in the March edition of Preventive Medicine, Xie found that Chinese youth's unhappiness with their weight was significantly related to Western media exposure, leading some girls to adopt such unhealthy behaviors as smoking or drinking."

I can't tell you how many times a Chinese girl asked me if she was pretty enough to come to America. What is happening to society? Why is there such an emphasis placed on looks? It's a shame.

What do these findings about weight and looks mean for the Chinese woman's self-esteem. Is she going to join the pack of women throughout the rest of the world? Will men's positive attitudes of themselves surpass these women too?

http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/psychiatry/article_3784.shtml

Ewww Gross

I don't know how many of you have traveled outside the United States, but for those of you who have, if you're anything like me, you love it, but it's always nice to come back home. Foreign countries have different customs, scenery, food, habits, and technology. I'd like to focus on "technology." The technology I am referring to, is the good old water closet, john, potty, crapper... otherwise known as the toilet.

Now, some of you may be wondering why I would post about something so seemingly disgusting (which it is, I admit). I , however, believe this is an interesting issue.

For those of you who have not been to China, you probably haven't encountered the typical Chinese toilet... the squatter. Be glad you haven't. I won't go into great detail about how it is used because I would like to refrain from being utterly gross. I think you can figure it out.

Picture yourself in one of the nicest restaurants you have ever been in. You get up to go to the restroom, to find no seats at all. Nothing but a nice little hole. Needless to say, it is nasty.

Why doesn't China update its toilet technology? Well, apparently they are looking into it. In an article published in 2004, with MSNBC, they discuss this very issue and how it relates to the Olympics coming in 2008. In 2004, the government had spent over $24 million on the toilet reconstruction project in 3 years. They plan on keeping the restrooms cleaner with attendants there constantly cleaning them, as well as turning the hole in the ground into a seat most people are used to. They will then tag a rating system to the restrooms. Restrooms with 4 stars will have changing tables and different sized urinals in the men's restrooms. There could even be lotion and hot towels offered to its patrons.

FYI: One-third of all tourist complaints are about bathroom conditions according to the Beijing Tourism Association. Yikes!

THIS IS AWESOME!

At the expense of running the risk of drawing a series of gasps from the XX chromosome-bearing members of our class room, I'd be willing to say that if there is one thing Chinese women need...it's bigger...BRAS! Because believe you me with the increase in nutrition and "taking part in more sport" Chinese women's bust sizes have increased an average of 1 cm over the past six years. This is first of all an argument to counter all those irrational fears of women trying to lose weight such as "if I lift, I don't want to bulk up." Believe me honey, I TRY, and I'm not getting anywhere.... *awkward pause* You heard it here, sports make your chest bigger.

Anyway, this is once again symbolic of the miracle/wonder of increased prosperity in a particular nation. Pun intended. Japan in the post war era witnessed similar effects. Tokyo children who went through pubescent growth during the last years of the Second World War were severely shorter than children ten years after the war, or six years prior to its end.

Just in case you're wondering, the average bust size is now 32.89 inches. The overall moral to this story is that exercise and nutrition facilitate the body by allowing it to grow properly and ultimately more attractively. I'm hoping this doesn't single me out as a chauvinist, but at the same time, it is important to give China the credit it is due in busting out of years of poverty and starvation left over from the effects of such events as the 5 year plans and consequent cultural revolution. This may support the claim of a trickle-down effect, not that I'm all about Reagenomics, but if the country gains in GDP/ overall income, the aggregate population may benefit. At the same time, it may speak to China's ability to handle this income in a manner that is beneficial to their constituents.

Dower, John. Embracing Defeat, Japan in the Wake of World War Two. Ch. 4, "Cultures of Defeat"
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4942152.stm

China worries about shortage of Breathe-Right Strips©

The Chinese military has been making a number of changes regarding their recruits. One of which is the banning of noisy snorers, "the nasal sound of chronic snorers disturbs collective life". That's what I like to see! Government officials most likely attempting to get rid of their competition for promotions by calling them out on ideological infractions! Snoring was one of many reforms being implemented by the military in order to increase the solidarity and integrity of the Chinese military. But speaking of ideoloy, the military has also seen an increase in the prominence of a meritocracy as the prefered way of organizing. They have increased the restrictions on "fashionable tattoos" and have begun intelligence and drug tests.

The article makes a point of discussing snoring before including the bit referring to intelligence exams (Ah the media, *chuckles); however, if anything this can be seen as positive for both China and Fox news. China's increase in military competence exhibits the growing trend in the willingness of China to substitute devotion to the party and "redness" for intellectual ability and efficacy. I'm impressed. ( I'm sure Sean Hannity just hasn't heard of this yet, but a growth in the functional ability of China can only spell disaster for the United States.)

The ramifications of this are multi-faceted; not only will Chinese troops be less inclined to use their bunk pillows as projectiles, the overall integrity of the military may be taking steps toward a meritocracy. Hopefully, such reforms will also aide in the prevention of nationalist-led punitive action such as the Tiananmen control operation, and lead to a more cautious (or at least efficient) risk-averse military.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4939514.stm

Into the dark continent, without a flashlight. (*insert other catchy title that will make you read this here*)

China and I have this really bizarre love-hate thing going on. It's like I'm that girl at the NASCAR circuit that is constantly getting battered but I insist that he still loves me. Somehow I always give that middle country the benefit of the doubt. Recently, however, China's increasing attempts to establish relations with certain countries in Africa has left me with a black eye and seeking help with CAPSA. Ok, enough with the bad allusions to domestic violence. China has been mingling with a couple nations in Africa and their candid attitude toward no-holds-barred capitalistic expansionism and irresponsible foreign policy is leaving me trying to decide which side of the fence I want to be on. Two particular comments by the BBC caught my eye in a recent article;
"China also wants good relations with African countries in order to get their diplomatic backing in Beijing's ongoing wrangle with Taiwan. "

AND

"There are concerns about Beijing's willingness to do business with countries whose governments have been the subject of sustained international criticism like Sudan and Zimbabwe. China insists it is merely trading with these nations and adhering to its policy of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs"

First of all, the Taiwan issue is important; however, by attempting to gain allies and support through economic ties is hypocritical in the context of the second statement. If China is so convinced that it is not mingling with 'internal affairs' of other countries, how should the expect that the issue of Taiwan is legitimate reason for grabbing allies in Africa?!
Furthermore, I'm frustrated by the fact that Taiwan is becoming something China has the guts to seek allies over. Talk about international conflict. Didn't the assassination of Franz Ferdinand teach us anything about "you scratch my back and shoot my enemy and I'll scratch/ shoot yours?" teach us anything?
Furthermore, China "insists it is merely trading with these nations and adhering to its policy of non-interference in other countries' 'internal affairs." I'm less inclined to have a problem when the interests of the United States are encroached upon than I am to be upset when a country defies the U.N. altogether. Granted, the United States has done this on several occasions. Granted, a vast majority of U.S. citizens "is hates them darn foreign varmints!" Nonetheless, the U.N. is the only established international organization that we have to fall back on. If China also fails to criticize Sudan and other human rights violators, they avoid being hypocritical in some regard, but they also sour the legitimacy of the United Nations.
I'm sick and tired of my somewhat racist tendency to imagine the personification of average Chinese businessman being confirmed as someone who likes to talk about money (is greedy), wants virgin girls (is a-moral), and has bad teeth (I don't know what this symbolizes, maybe not taking care of himself) . China, stop beating me when I defend you and get some integrity, even the U.S., a country known for its international hypocrisy has the ability to occasionally say; "oh, murderous genocidal tyrant...nah, guess we'll leave that one alone for awhile... Gan Bei/ Ba-er/ cheers, Kofi."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4931668.stm

Don't politicize trade issues, US urged

President Hu Jintao has urged the United States not to politicize trade disputes, emphasizing that China's fast growth provides tremendous commercial potential.China's development will present enormous business opportunities to the United States and other countries. Opportunities are in nuclear energy, natural gas and energy conservation. China has a huge market and a strong demand for America's advanced technologies and management expertise. China's annual economic growth averaged 9.6 per cent during the last 27 years and the country has drawn in foreign direct investment of US$620 billion. On trade frictions between China and the United States, I feel they should not be politicized. The president asked the United States to ease export controls on high-tech goods and eliminate protectionist measures. Hu's visit comes amid simmering trade disputes between the two countries, ranging from China's trade surplus and its currency exchange regime to US companies' access to the Chinese market. Hu argued that the China trade has saved American consumers billions of dollars and created millions of jobs and brought "great benefits" to both sides. He reiterated that China does not seek a big trade surplus with the United States and is working hard to reduce the figure.

More Chinese students heading to U.S.

Zhu Heng lived the ordeal that Chinese students dreaded because of U.S. visa restrictions imposed after the Sept. 11 terror attacks. Zhu was on a fellowship at Yale University when he returned to Beijing for a visit in 2002. He waited in China for a year ¡ª away from his fiancee, his fellowship and his lab ¡ª while the U.S. government did a background check ordered for visiting researchers in sensitive science fields. Zhu lost the fellowship, the fiancee, his credit rating, car and apartment. But that was three years ago. Now, Zhu's life has turned around, and so has the U.S. visa system for Chinese students. Procedures have been simplified and waiting times slashed. Visa approvals are up and American campuses are again growing in popularity among Chinese. The number of Chinese students granted U.S. visas rose 25 percent last year to 20,244, returning to pre-2001 levels for the first time, according to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. China had more than 61,000 students in American universities last year, more than any country except India. The United States was once the top choice for Chinese who studied abroad. But anti-American sentiment following the U.S. bombing in 1999 of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and the tightening of visa restrictions after the 2001 attacks made some applicants think about other destinations ¡ª or consider staying home. By 2003, the number of U.S. visas granted to Chinese students had fallen to 12,455 ¡ª 35 percent below the 2001 level.

Taiwan key to China-US ties - official

For China, the most important issue in its relations with the United States is Tiawan. Differences on trade and economic policies, which are expected to dominate talks between Hu and President Bush, could be resolved and countered suggestions that China's rapid rise posed a threat to the rest of the world. But he reserved his strongest comments for Taiwan. The United States recognizes the "one-China" policy, but it is also the biggest arms supplier to Taiwan and has pledged to defend the island of 23 million in case of attack. The Taiwan question is the most important, most sensitive core issue in the China-U.S. relationship. Taiwan relies on the United States to work together with China to oppose and counter secessionist activities on their behalf. Taiwan opposition politicians frequently met with Chinese leaders in Beijing urging Taiwan to allow regular direct flights and expand trade. However, Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian, who advocates independence, has alarmed the mainland with moves such as shelving guidelines on eventual reunification, which Beijing sees as a steps toward formal secession. China will be seeking a clear show of support from Washington on Taiwan. The challenge is for both leaders is how can both work together to try and manage the issue should Chen try to push the relationship. Some think the ties between Beijing and Washington are one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world and differences over a ballooning trade gap and the value of China's currency could be managed. A trade delegation has so far yielded deals worth more than $16 billion also proved it is completely possible for China and the United States to properly handle trade friction. Publishing policy papers on defense and invitations to foreign military observers showed China was committed to peaceful development, Yang said.

China may top US in India trade

China will likely emerge as India's largest trading partner, overtaking the United States within a few years, with the two-way trade hitting US$100 billion in the near future. The trade between China and India last year hit a record of US$18.7 billion, jumping 38 per cent year-on-year. If the growth is sustained, the bilateral trade could soon overtake Indo-US trade, which is hovering around US$30 billion. But in order to carry on the robust growth, it is crucial to diversify the Indian export basket from primary products to manufactured items and processed products. India's exports to China now are largely restricted to primary and resource-based products, such as iron ore exports, which constitute more than half of India's total exports to China. India and China, dubbed the "double engines" of economic development in Asia, would further benefit if they had a closer relationship with each other. The two countries have many complementary aspects and they can learn from each other. China's development depends highly on foreign trade and investment, while India mainly lies on the growth of domestic enterprises. Each can draw experience from the other. But it is natural for the two populous countries to be rivals in the world's economic arena. Even Indian companies themselves are competing with one another. Competition makes China and India try to have the best enterprises. The feasibility of reaching a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and China seems likely to happen in the future, but it is still premature for now. There needs to be an understanding with each country before such an agreement can be reached