That Picture Of Chinese Leaders Doing Gangnam Style Has Been Censored, Because Censors Hate Fun

CENSORED
Hate it as I do, I understand why some things are censored. You can’t have a perpetually restless populace in the countryside, for instance, believing that an alien overlord will descend from heaven and deliver them from misery if only they’ll overthrow the current regime. You can’t have top leaders exposed as hypocrites. You can’t... Read more » Read more »

In Global Times’s Poll, “Child Bikini Modeling Is ‘Beneficial’” Is In The Early Lead

Global Times poll
We’re not sure how long this poll is going to be up on Global Times’s English website’s main page — it’s not on the Chinese site – but go vote while you can. I actually am curious to see the final results. Only question: What is “Other”? Maybe something like, “Classless, but in a societal vacuum,... Read more » Read more »

Auto Show Organizer Who Used Bikini-Clad Underage Girls Did So To “Boost Their Courage”

Chutian Auto Festival bikini model
Over the weekend, pictures of preteen girls used as bikini models at the Chutian Auto Culture Festival caused controversy in and around China. Basically, everyone thought it was a bad idea, and probably felt a little uncomfortable looking at the images. But what does the Chutian Auto Culture Festival’s organizer think? China Daily caught up with one... Read more » Read more »

You’ve Been Warned: Hotpot Can Cause You To Catch On Fire

Alcohol hotpot
“Man ignited in hot pot inferno,” reads Global Times headline. The story: Firefighters have cautioned over the use of alcohol-fueled hot pot stoves, after a customer was seriously burnt in a fire caused when a waiter allegedly improperly topped up the fuel. A diner, surnamed Wang, was injured Friday when flames erupted from an individual... Read more » Read more »

China Daily Offers Suggestions For Better Tourist Behavior, Unintentionally Produces Best China-Based Scavenger Hunt List Ever

China Daily's A1 page on November 18
In March, the e-commerce site Living Social found that Chinese tourists were the second-worst in the world, behind only Americans. While these surveys are usually hopelessly flawed — does any country produce good tourists? — China Daily ran a cover story yesterday on this subject, specifically how various organizations are trying to “instill better behavior among... Read more » Read more »

Man Faints During Inaugural Guangzhou Marathon, Still In Critical Condition [UPDATE]

Guangzhou Marathon
The cancellation of long-distance races at university games has highlighted the issue of declining physical fitness among college students. –China Daily, November 12, 2012  The first Guangzhou Marathon was held yesterday morning, with local media estimating that about 20,000 people participated. (This number should be taken with a grain of salt; in September, organizers said... Read more » Read more »

The Coolest 72-Year-Old Grandfather In The World Lives In China

Grandpa Liu in red and pink
Ed’s note: Offbeat China, who first blogged this on Friday, has more pictures of Liu Xianping, the 72-year-old model of Yuekou online store. This piece is the first for BJC’s newest contributor, Xiao Yi. By Xiao Yi “Look at the camera – no slouching!” Miss Lü instructs as she shoots pictures of her 72-year-old grandfather, dressed in... Read more » Read more »

Korean Students Rob Beijing Convenience Store, Charges Aren’t Pressed

Korean robbery
On Thursday, 30 student tourists from South Korea walked into a Good Neighbor convenience store in Beijing’s Chaoyang District and walked out with 1,700 yuan’s worth of snacks, cigarettes, and alcohol — without paying. The cashier, Ms. Huang, told local media, “I was busy doing check-out, when I looked up, the shelves were empty, and goods were... Read more » Read more »