Who Says Chinese Aren’t a Giving People

Chinadaily

A Chinese graduate’s record-setting $8,888,888 donation to his school at Yale University has stirred wide debate at home. While some say it’s up to Zhang Lei to do as he likes, others question why he didn’t donate to his alma mater in Beijing.

Yale President Richard Levin and School of Management (SOM) Dean Sharon M. Oster were in Beijing last week with Zhang when he announced his donation. They were taking part in a panel discussion called “Investing in the Middle Kingdom”.

Business Trip Gone Awry in China

Working in the Center- Life in China

The other day I posted about fact that I had to entertain some clients and the 1.87 mph taxi ride proved to be too much for them. As such, they decided to cancel day’s festivities- seeing China.

What I have failed to mention, or post, is that these poor gentlemen had a hard time with Chinese culture. After we had left the cab, crawling at frustratingly slow pace, we chose the subway. The problem is that in China righ tnow, many many many many people are returning to their home villages to spend the Chinese new year, so all forms of public transportation have been swamped.

So, as I strolled down the stairway to enter the belly of the beast, or the fine Beijing subway station, I had to prod these fine Englishmen along. Unaccustomed to seeing such a mass of humanity pushing and shoving to enter a place whose finite space limitations were being pushed to their max, the Brits waited patiently for a ‘less empty subway car’. After about 15 minutes we thought we could board the overcrowded subway and poised ourselves like Olympic sprinters in order to do so. When the doors pushed open, the Chinese per their culture rushed forth en masse, shoving everything in their way. waiting by the side, the Brit’s eyes popped in astonishment. Inside the subway a Chinese local decided that their throat had ingested too much Beijing filth and at that very moment decided to liberate a hack a dark wad of phlegm from their mouths. Sailing straight and true like an arrow from the bow of Robin Hood it landed with a THWACK on the leg of my colleague. Glancing down at the suitleg of his Brooks Brothers double breasted, he shook his head and turned to leave.
When we caught up with him his only comment was, “I think I have seen enough of China to last me a lifetime.”

China PIc

Chinese Construction workers.

Moving in China

Ahh I have just found out that I may have to big a fond adieu to Beijing, my company may be sending me to other parts of the Chinese netherworld. Will it be the home of hot pot and beautiful women- Chongqing, or the Houston-esque Guangzhou. I am unsure at this point but shall keep you posted of my whereabouts in the glorious center country….

Using in China

It is a scientifically proven fact that most people who live in the land formerly known as the ‘center kingdom/center of the universe are users. When meeting one of these fine people they will typically do the following.
A-they will classify you, rich-poor,young-old,
B-from this they will decide what it is that they can get from you
C-at a minimum they will try to burn you for some free English lessons

Beijing Photo

Interesting wallpaper from some Chinese fast food joint in Beijing.

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Chinese New Year- Happiness in China

Chinese New Year

Ah the glory of the Chinese lunar New Year is upon us. The locals like to equate it with Christmas time back home. In reality I can see their point. Modern Christmas has degraded into a money-grubbing purchase fest filled with people who have forgotten the meaning for the celebration, or maybe its just me. I once read that suicide rates soar in the USA around Christmas and New Years time, so yeah I would say that I can see some parallels with the Chinese celebration.
In all honesty, I love Chinese New Year, I love to visit the families and hang out, to me its the best time in China. Although the undercurrent is similar to that of American Christmas mentioned above, the reality of the Chinese New year is that even though its painfully hectic, the level of hospitality you will receive during this time is unbeatable.

Friendly Neighborhood Chinese Spy in the USA- Chinese Nationals Compromising US Security

There are many high profile cases of Chinese coming to the land of milk and honey and offered all the freedoms therein, but who cannot keep from sending secrets back to the motherland. This is a story of such a guy who at the age of 72, could have been sending secrets about secret US military technology. At the end of the day we are idiots for employing guys like this aren’t we?

from here

The US Department of Justice yesterday announced further high profile arrests of Americans alleged to have acted as technology spies for communist China. Justice Dept (DoJ) spokesmen said the accused – including a former Boeing engineer and a Defense Department official – had passed the secrets of the Space Shuttle, among other things, to espionage agencies of the People’s Republic. Meanwhile, Chinese techbiz acquisitions in America were characterised as a national security risk.

Semi-retired engineer Greg Chung, 72, was cuffed by feds and agents from NASA Counter-intelligence* at his California home “without incident”, according to the DoJ. It was alleged that Chinese-born Chung, a US citizen of some decades’ standing who worked for Rockwell and Boeing, had passed classified information about the Space Shuttle, the C-17 military airlifter, the B-1 bomber, and the Delta IV rocket to PRC spies. Chung was said to have been involved with the Chi Mak espionage ring.

US Attorney Thomas P O’Brien said: “Mr Chung is accused of stealing restricted technology that had been developed over many years by engineers who were sworn to protect their work product… Disclosure of this information to outside entities like the PRC would compromise our national security.”

FBI honcho Salvador Hernandez added: “The FBI is committed to protecting America’s assets from foreign thievery. The FBI will continue to work with NASA, the defense community and other federal agencies to safeguard our nation’s technology.”

The feds allege that Chung had been groomed by commie spies as early as 1979, and quoted a PRC handler as writing to him saying: “It is your honour and China’s fortune that you are able to realise your wish of dedicating yourself to the service of your country.”

Chung was charged with 14 espionage-related offences. In theory, if found guilty on all counts, he could face fines of more than $5m and prison sentences totalling in excess of 150 years.”

China’s Fastest Computer- I wonder Where They Get Their Tech…

Here is a story about a couple of men who once in the land of milk and honey, ALLEGEDLY decided to sell secrets to the ‘motherland’ or uncle C.

excerpt:

A US federal grand jury has charged two computer engineers with stealing microchip designs to sell to the Chinese military. California residents Yuefei Ge, 34, of San Jose and Lan Lee, 42 of Palo Alto have been indicted under charges of conspiracy, economic espionage and theft of trade secrets.

The two men are accused of creating a Delaware corporation called SICO Microsystems to obtain venture capital to sell products based on trade secrets stolen from NetLogic Microsystems and Taiwan Semi-Conductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). The company allegedly secured backing from two Chinese government funds.
a new indictment filed yesterday claims the men obtained funding from China’s 863 program and The General Armaments Department (GAD) of the People’s Liberation Army.

The 863 program is a funding plan created and operated by the People’s Republic of China. The program is designed by leading Chinese scientists to develop and encourage the creation of technology in China, focusing on communications and laser technology for military applications. The GAD of the People’s Liberation Army is responsible for Army, Navy and Air Force in China, and is a major user of the 863 program.

According to the accusations, Lee had a document titled “SICO Executive Summary” on his home PC which stated the purpose of his business plan was to bid on a coprocessor project on the 863 plan. Both men’s PCs had letters to a “Professor Jiang” in China dated June 29, 2002 discussing potential SICO products and “enclosing the employment offer for the ‘863’ program (SRAM and Flash Memory) consultant from Qinghua University along with the business plan…” Justice officials say they sought $3.6m from the 863 Program or other departments.

China’s Oil Dependence Worsens

Looks like China better cozy up to more oil producing nations.

from chinadaily.com

“China reported a record surge of crude oil imports in 2010, buying more than 200 million tons of overseas crude. The country’s overseas crude dependence ratio surpassed 55 percent, the Economic Information reported Monday, citing an industry report.”