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Obama's Call to the Chinese President, Decoded
Obama's Call to the Chinese President, Decoded Washington PostInteresting phone call - I am not sure the real issues were addressed. Basically China needs to export to the US in order to keep it's economy going and needs the US to clean up it's financial system. The US wants continued Chinese investment, buying of treasury debt, and help to clean up this mess. Hu:In the Chinese version, there is this line: "Hu said the core interest of either country should be respected by each other and taken into consideration." In other words: no insulting comments about our currency exchange rate, please. Obama:"global trade imbalances" -- a point the White House noted he "stressed" -- that means he is really saying that China's currency is too weak and the government needs to do something about it. In other words, stop manipulating it. Or at least manipulate it the way Washington wants. Labels: china's future
Worrisome China/US Finances
Chinese Leader Raps U.S. for Global Slump - Wall Street Journal.Very worrisome. Basically the US finances have lost face and trust with the Chinese Government. The Chinese government is feeling betrayed on their investments. Key Points from the article: - Beijing is re-examining its U.S. investments, say people familiar with the government's thinking.
- Chinese government investments got burned with Morgan Stanley, the collapsed Reserve Primary Fund and mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
- Chinese central bank last year stopped lending its Treasury holdings for fear the borrowers will go bankrupt.
- China the largest foreign investor in bonds from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- has been sharply trimming its holdings of that debt.
- Shares fell 60% in the $5.6 billion stake in Morgan Stanley purchased by China's sovereign wealth fund, China Investment Corp. (CIC, 13 months ago.
- CIC has sustained large paper losses on the $3 billion it invested in Blackstone Group LP in June 2007, as well as the Morgan Stanley stake.
- CIC's nearly $5.4 billion investment in the Reserve Primary Fund, the money-market fund that "broke the buck" in September as a result of the Lehman collapse, has asked the US to redeem it. That has not been done yet, causing worry about US credibilty.
- The Chinese government has received briefings from the former secretary of treasury on the financial crisis. This shows the depth of communication - At one briefing for Chinese officials to explain the change, said people present, they questioned and debated the meaning of nearly every line of the new Treasury plan.
Labels: future, US Chinese Image
China Offers State Jobs in the Boonies
Chinese New Year Customs
Chinese New Year ActivitiesWeek Prior - Resolve old debts. - Serious Spring Cleaning - Paper image of Kitchen Got who reports on family is replaced with new one. - Lucky paper hung with declarations of good wishes. New Year's Eve- Family dinner - lots of symbolism in the banquet foods. - Red Envelopes are given to children and to the older - Fire crackers to welcome the new year and scare away the demon Nian. 1st Day- Day of resting, visiting ancestors, and temple visit. 2nd Day- Day of leisure - Married women visit their parents. 3rd DayFloors swept to bring in the new year and out with the old 4th DayMidnight Dinner 5th Day- Safe day to empty the trash 15th Day- Lantern Festival References:Coloring Pages on Chinese New Year: Labels: chinese new year
Learning to celebrate Chinese New Year
Learning to celebrate Chinese New Year from the SF Chronicle. What a great post! This part is so precious... And then last week in the car Paris said, "Mommy, I wish that I was born in China. I really want to be Chinese." I was entirely unprepared for this comment, so rather than offer up words of wisdom, I simply asked, "Why?" "I want to celebrate the Chinese New Year, like the Chinese do. Mommy, we have to get haircuts and clean the house before the new year celebration starts. And I want a red envelope. And did you know that it's the Year of the Ox? And we need new clothes. And we need to have a special dinner with Chinese food..." "Sweetheart, you don't have to be Chinese to celebrate Chinese New Year. We can celebrate the holiday." Labels: chinese new year
Millions of Chinese set to lose jobs as New Year celebrations end
90% of Families accept Milk Deal
Toddler Chinese
Toddler Chinese, or teaching your rapidly growing in intellect toddler, and moving around, sampling the world and learning at an amazing rate is a great way to give them an advantage. This NY Magazine article Parents are Teaching Their Infants Chinese to Compete in the global Economy is just documenting the many parents who are teaching their children Mandarin at a very young age, yes babies and toddlers are learning Chinese Mandarin. Products which have gotten very good reviews for teaching Chinese to toddler and babies are (their are even previews on the page):
 |  | | | | | Baby Learns Chinese, DVD, Level 1,2,3 & Flashcards Bundle | List Price: $86.56
Our Price: $86.56
Sale Price: $68.99
You Save $17.57!   |
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Would you like your Baby to talk Chinese words instead of Googoo-gaga?
Play this Mandarin DVD made especially for babies and Toddlers
- Chinese language immersion on DVD for babies
- Fun and very visible images for babies
- Clear pronunciation
- Narrated entirely in Mandarin
Read on to see what our customers say about Baby Learns Chinese DVD Bundle |
Labels: baby learning mandarin
Chinese for Babies
Teaching Babies a foreign language is a great opportunity that should not be misssed. Babies brains are expanding so fast that they can add a lot of information, such as a 2nd language very quickly. Even if your not a native speaker, it's still possible to expose your child to a second language and you may be surprised on what they learn! Two DVD's that I recommend for starting for Chinese for Babies are (both have samples you can watch on their page):
| | | | | | | Baby Learns Chinese, DVD, Level 1,2,3 & Flashcards Bundle | List Price: $86.56
Our Price: $86.56
Sale Price: $68.99
You Save $17.57! |
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Would you like your Baby to talk Chinese words instead of Googoo-gaga?
Play this Mandarin DVD made especially for babies and Toddlers
- Chinese language immersion on DVD for babies
- Fun and very visible images for babies
- Clear pronunciation
- Narrated entirely in Mandarin
Read on to see what our customers say about Baby Learns Chinese DVD Bundle |
For the more advanced, I have a section with products by age 0-3 Baby Learning Chinese Books & DVD'sLabels: baby learning mandarin
Year of the Ox
The domain name for ChildBook.com was registered in 1997, so that makes ChildBook being born in the year of the Ox. So what are the characteristics of an Ox?Symbolizes: Prosperity through hard work. Hard working - Intelligent, self-confident, patient and methodical, helpful and hardworking. Responsible for family and believes in authority
And showing how others are celebrating - Chinese gear up to welcome Year of the Ox - Reuters Labels: childbook
China Hip Hop
Not the usual view of China... Now Hip-Hop, Too, Is Made in China, as Young Gather in Clubs ... from the NY Times. American culture, in all forms, has spread around the world. And with so many Chinese in the US, the spread of culture from the US back to China is so quick. Stereotypes are so dangerous, a former assistant of mine from China was into Heavy Metal and a big fan of the Gators because he went to school there. Labels: china's future
College-Educated Chinese Feel Job Pinch
Chinese New Year Traffic Increase
I am getting a huge amount of traffic from around the world due to Chinese New Year . My section on Chinese New Year is doing well. Lots of people enjoying: This DVD, really good, is selling well:  | | | | | | New Year in Ping Wei - A Documentary of China - DVD | | Our Price: $24.95 |
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How is Chinese New Year celebrated in rural China?
Follow Liu Yen Twin and her family and find out!.
- From preparation of the family reunion dinner
- Symbolic burning of paper money
- to firecrackers and fireworks.
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Labels: chinese new year
China Milk Update
Wow, 2 sentenced to death. Head of Dairy company, 66 years old, sentenced to life in prison. They are definitely being made an example of and it's a sensitive issue for the Chinese Government. Part of the implicit bargain of the Mandate of Heaven is the government will take care of the people, but in this case obviously the government did not by allowing this situation to exist. This explains why this possible public scandal that could revoke the perceived mandate of heaven is so touchy, as is corruption and economic issues. Death sentences given in Chinese milk scandal - International Herald Tribune. Labels: china food safety
Obama and China
Lots of questions still on what is going to happen with President Obama and China. Some of them: - Is the US going to start a trade war? Focus on unfair competition from China?
- What is the US going to do about importation of Chinese food and Drug ingredients to the US?
- Will the US focus on China as a military threat (watch F22 funding as an indication).
- Dissent in China
- Dalai Lama
- Taiwan China relations?
His sister is married to an ethnic Chinese (from Canada). And he has a half brother in China doing some type of business. From the inauguration speech, China did not seem to be a major focus. Of course with jobs being a focus, that will impact the relationship with China. Labels: china's future
China Censors Obama's Speach
Chinese censors snipped 'communism' from Obama address from the UK Times. when President Obama said: “Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism….” The simultaneous interpreter proceeded smoothly with her translation but her voice faded out with the rest of the President’s sentence. The picture cut from the Capitol to an awkwardly smiling news anchor unprepared for the camera to return to her and apparently awaiting instructions in her earpiece. She turned to a reporter in the studio for comment on Mr Obama’s economic challenges. Yet more confusion as the flustered young woman sought refuge in the notes on her desk.
And this is interesting... The People’s Daily, mouthpiece of the Communist Party, published a translated text of the speech on its website, omitting the word communism and cutting entirely Mr Obama’s line that: “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Seems to have hit a sore point with the word dissent, or was it corruption...
Labels: china's future, US Chinese Image
Drug Making’s Move Abroad Stirs Concerns
Drug Making’s Move Abroad Stirs Concerns - NY Times. Worrisome! Key Points: - Drug making including ingredients have moved to China due to cost.
- China has pushed with state resources the manufacturing of drugs.
- China has a history of quality concerns. From Heparin to Tainted Pet Food.
- Pills that are assembled in the US and say made in USA, often have ingredients from China.
- Inspections of Chinese manufacturers are less due to cost. So US manufacturers get inspected more increasing cost.
- Due to competitive reasons, the FDA does not have a good idea of whom the suppliers are for drug ingredients.
Labels: china food safety, china's future
China's civil service exam cheaters go high-tech
Huntingon Library - Chinese Gardens
I finally got a chance to go there today and it's very well done. Price for admission per person is a bit pricey - $20 per adult, $15 for my daughter for $55 or $120 for a year price, but the gardens and exhibits are world class. Labels: chinese Gardens
Closures Strain China's Labor Law
China experiments with High Voltage Lines (DC)
This is major and the US should be doing this also. From the WSJ - China Tests High-Tech Power System.The article does a poor job of explaining what China is actually doing. My guess is they are testing a high voltage DC Transmission lines, the advantages of DC over AC is lower loss, smaller cables, ability to be used in water and in the ground, and ability for long distance transmission of power. Actually DC transmission lines are also being used in Europe, not just Japan and Russian. More on my other blog on DC Power Transmission. I did not expect to see this in China, Al Gore has suggested it as part of a smart grid in the US and T. Boone Pickens has been pushing it. DC Power Transmission lines are poorly understood and the technology that now makes it more efficient is relatively new. Labels: china's future
USPS Price Increase
I use USPS for shipping, and they are again increasing their charges! The average retail price increases per service are as follows: - Priority Mail: 3.9%
- Express Mail: 5.7%
- Parcel Select: 5.9%
- Parcel Return Service: 5.3%
- International Shipping: 8.5%
The positive is their is no fuel surcharge as their is with UPS or FedEx. Price increases are effective the 18th. And no, I have not figured out how the ChildBook Freight is going to increase yet. My goal with freight is to break even, without a loss or profit. Labels: childbook
Scathing report on immigrant who died in detention
China's Industrial Revolusion Challenges
College Abruptly Moves Up Deadline for Applications
College Abruptly Moves Up Deadline for Applications - NY Times. California Cal States and UC's are having huge budget issues, so some of the Cal States have moved up with no warning their application date. Cal States do a great job of education and it's sad the Calfornia budget debacle is impacting them. Personally, they should be opening up more UC's and Cal States, especially with how much the population in California has increased. A UC Diamond Bar would be nice!
Labels: Education
Coloring Booklet - Chinese New Year
What a wonderful idea! And so polite to ask! An E-Mail I received this morning. Instead of Christmas cards, I usually send the other families who adopted with me in our agency group (13 families in all) a Chinese New Year card that I make, but when I saw your nice coloring pages I thought it would be neat to make up little coloring books to send to them, and then the girls can color them and they can be a keepsake for this year – the kids are all about 4 this year. I would only do this with permission and would not be charging money for this, and would give you and your business credit for the drawings if you give me permission to make up these little booklets. If you would rather I not, I will honor your wishes, and will see what else I can come up with. Thanks for your consideration, and please let me know what you think.
My response:
Dear M.
What a wonderful idea! Yes, please send! You have my full permission to do this! Here is what was done on my wife's site for a coloring booklet: http://www.elitedresses.com/Wedding_Coloring_Page_Book_Booklet_Free_and_Printable_s/75.htm
My wife's coloring pages - different than what is on ChildBook: http://www.elitedresses.com/Wedding_Coloring_Pages_that_are_Free_and_Printable_s/69.htm
Sincerely, Ray, Owner www.ChildBook.com
Labels: free coloring pictures
I need a lion dancer for...
I got one of the more interesting messages this morning, somebody asking for a Dragon Dancer for a local assisted living residence. I handled it in a very professional manner and it was my good deed of the day. I was polite and mentioned I only sell books, but here were some phone numbers that should help. I did a quick google to find some local Chinese Martial Art places that should be able to help them out. Lion Dancers are usually done by Martial Artists, so if you do a search on Kung Fu or see Wushu they should be able to help out. Labels: childbook
MIT Teaching
I hope more classes at colleges are like this in the future. I am so afraid of my daughter taking a class with 300 other students and getting little out of it. How can a teach interact with 300 students? It's hard enough with a class of 30 to 40. At my college, I only had one class that was a large scale auditorium (Cal Poly, Pomona prides itself on being hands on). The use of a device where students can signal an answer is useful, another way is a bit old fashioned is having people raise their hands. Labels: Education Improvements
In China, More Layoffs Bring Bolder Protests
Corruption - A tale of a US Company
LA Times today has an article on Avery - Avery Dennison case a window on the pitfalls U.S. firms face in China.Avery has a long history of doing business in China, since the founder of Avery went to China in College (Pomona) and was fascinated by the place. He even set up a prize for having Claremont Colleges related students go to China (yes, my submission lost). The problems that Avery is having right now in China my guess is in a pretty gray area, and with the amount of corruption in China, it's hard to separate right from wrong. Entertainment can be a legitimate business expense, and the factory tours where you accidentally visit Disneyland. My thought is M-F, 8-5PM should be work related, but weekends and nights are acceptable for non-working related activities. Now if you have no factory trips at all that's going over the line, IMHO. Of course when you start getting lawyers involved with zero tolerance, the line may no longer make sense. References: Labels: china's future, chinese corruption
More New Country Visitors!
Last couple of days I have noticed visitors from Laos, Saudi Arabia, and Oman! No sales to those countries yet, but welcome! Labels: childbook
Why be proud being Chinese - Kindergarten Version
A kindergarten student was told "that everything is made in China and that is bad" so I thought I would create a list of some positives: Why be Proud - Kindergarten Version1. Your iPod and iPhone were also made in China. 2. China's culture is 5000 years old. Europe was still in the stone age. 3. Chinese discovered fireworks, remember Mulan. 4. Chinese created Kung Fu, remember Kung Fu Panda. 5. China invented paper and printing 6. China's government has said they are going to fix the issue of bad stuff coming from China. 7. China invented paper money. 8. China has put a man in space. 9. China hosted the 2008 Olympics. 10. China invented kites! I am writing this from home, so I don't have my book " Made in China - Ideas and Inventions from Ancient China by Suzanne Williams " as a reference, or the list would be much longer. Europe and the US had the same type issues such as food safety during the Industrial revolution (guess what my daughter is studying). Upton Sinclair's the Jungle about the Meat Packing industry documents this in the US. Labels: made in china
Messed up web page - and nobody told me!
I just noticed one of my web pages had a big oopsie... And nobody told me, but lots of visitors. If you notice something funny, please let me know! Thanks, Ray Labels: childbook
More Updates - Chinese New Year Events
Chinatowns Page Updated
A while ago I put together a page of Chinatowns in the US and Canada, and I just updated it again. I added two more Chinatowns I did not know about, one in Oklahoma City and the other in Cleveland. I need to ask my customers if they know of any more in my next E-Mail. I think there is at least one in the Carolina's area, but I did not have any luck with a google search. Site that has some Chinatowns. List of Chinatowns - Author did a nice job. I did not know about one in Detroit. New Jersey - I am having challenges figuring out which city. Interesting article - When Newark Had A Chinatown - Timeline 1910The challenge now days is everybody is so mixed up in neighborhoods, so the traditional Chinatowns are not needed anymore.in many areas have disappeared as we have become a society segregated more on income and education, rather than race. Labels: chinatowns
Crazy Driving Day
Today was just one of those days! I was going to the Post Office driving across the parking lot, and this white car just made another lane to my right (cars going the other way would usually be in that, but since it's a parking lot it was not marked). Then a truck pulled right in front of me right before a stop. Finally parked and got into the Post Office. Then right after leaving a Mercedes changed lanes and got right in front of a Sheriff who was in a hurry. Then, taking my daughter home later from her cello lesson, we stopped by Borders (yes, I am addicted to books, so it's probably good I run an online bookstore) and again a person pulls in front of me when I have the right of way, then makes a right turn onto the main street, and then decides at the last minute to get onto the freeway. I passed the person as soon as I could safely. Only thing I saw in common were two of the drivers were talking on cell phones. And driving around Rowland Heights is challenging some days! Labels: chinatowns
Teach Me Chinese Songs in Simplified Characters
I did not realize it, but in the Teach Me Chinese Series it's only Pinyin and English for the Songs. I just got from the publisher the songs in Simplified Chinese Characters so I have posted them as pdf's. When you go to the product, you can download the pdf. The Teach Me Chinese Series is very popular and a great way to get exposed to Chinese through popular songs in English and Chinese. Labels: Learning Chinese
Chinesediner.com and Yelp.com
I set up a web site called Chinesediner.com that was a way to find Chinese Restaurants with reviews and one of my hobbies is eating at Chinese Restaurants, the headache is figuring out which ones are pretty good. I had a couple of hundred restaurants I think in Chinesediner.com, there were some headaches. Headaches: - What happens when a restaurant closes.
- What do you do when the person who input the information missed info.
- What happens when the information input is wrong.
- How do you deal with chains.
- How do you deal with a shopping plaza that has multiple restaurants.
The above if I am doing the editing can take up a bit of time. When I changed E-Commerce Providers, Chinesediner.com died since it was proprietary and hosted by my previous E-Commerce provider. I had this dream of resurrecting it, but with Yelp that has figured out how to generate a huge amount of reviews and works on my iPhone, I don't see a reason to. Is Yelp perfect - no. The coverage really seems to vary from very good in Rowland Heights to pretty lousy in other areas (like between the Denver Airport and downtown Denver). It also has the problem of dealing with restaurants that get closed. When I was in the Bay Area, the Mercury News for a while had an A+ Restaurant finder, but that seems to have died. There was also a fun site for Southern California that was useful, but died www.dailydiner.com. On my iPhone I also have loaded Urbanspoon that is based on newspaper reviews, but I use Yelp more. I also have a pretty good collection of restaurant guides/books for the Los Angeles area, unfortunately nobody seems to be publishing them anymore, so the ones I have are getting out of date. I have one called places under $10 bucks which is good, and Jonathan's Golds book is great (but it's weak in the San Gabriel Valley). Doing google searches is another way to find restaurants. References: Fortune Cookie Chronicles - Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer Lee Labels: Chinese Restaurants
Got Blogs mixed up again
Yep, I posted a cool post about Toyota's rumored solar car on my Learning Chinese Blog. Lesson - don't do a blog post at 5AM in the morning. I was hoping to quickly do some blogs posts this morning because there was a family vote of we are going someplace today! May be overnight! And my thought is, hmm..., my blog! I spent a couple of hours last night figuring out where to go in the area taking into consideration the current likes and dislikes of my family. What Actually Happened: My daughter slept in, so certain things did not get done, so no overnight trip. Instead saw a movie ( Slumdog Millionaire - good movie), got some shopping done including my Father's BD present, and had a wonderful dinner at Rutabegorz after our first choice had 45 -60 minute wait ( Felix Continental Cafe - A+ place with wonderful Cuban Food). Then stopped by Fry's to get #1 daughter some earbuds, so I could get my nice ones back. And what actually happened would not have been possible without my iPhone (who's earbuds my daughter has been borrowing since she broke hers 2 weeks ago, again). Got directions to the game store, checked the movie time, and found another restaurant using Yelp after we saw the wait at Felix Continental Cafe. And Yelp is the reason why I don't have any plans to start Chinesediner.com again. I have used Yelp a lot on finding restaurants and it's a free download for iPhones. When I went to Denver for a tradeshow it was very helpful in a city that was pretty new to me. Labels: childbook
The Next World Order - China and India
The Next World Order from the NY Times. Good article that captures some of the complexity, challenges, and differences of both nations. The article is full of wonderful quotes, I like this common Indian saying: “our economy grows at night when the government is asleep.” Labels: china's future
Chinese New Year Spectacular
Event: Chinese New Year Spectacular by Divine Performing Arts
Summary: Overall the show was very well done, I wish there was a bit less religion. Details:- My favorite piece was the one with the Monkey King, I wish they had more of him.
- The Moon one I wish they had translated more!
- The announcers did a nice bilingual announcements (mixing both Chinese and English and keeping it interesting).
- My tickets were supposed to be closer, but what was agreed in Costco and when later I did the order over the phone in my car were different. Annoying! I should have checked while doing the phone order and had them call back when I was at my PC so I could double check the seats. At least later on they allowed people to move up which made me feel much better.
- The dancing was amazing!
- Colors in the costumes were wow!
- Whenever there was singing, it mentioned Falun Dafa (Falun Gong).
- One of the acts were about prosecution of Falun Dafa and was done in such a way to get a lot of sympathy.
- The gathering of marketing surveys (audience feedback) was smart.
- Everything I have seen as an outsider shows a very well organized group that has 3 troupes performing a very entertaining show, that also has in places some religious undertones.
- I liked how they did the projector screen in the back, very well done
Notes: 1. One of the great core values of the US is the separation of Church and State. I wish China acted the same way. Yes, I know about the Taiping Rebellion and Boxer Rebellions - both religious based rebellions in China. 2. Two shows that one should see, even if not Christian, are Glory of Christmas and Glory of Easter. Both are amazing, located at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. Links: Labels: china's future
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