:: does anyone know what to make of this short? Is that supposed to be Hu Jintao? I tried to find more information about the video, its creator, etc., but nothing. It seems to be some sort of an advertisement for the animation company Genseisha. I’m confused and curious. Thoughts? // AjS
:: the video and photo below were shot Sunday night during Tong Yang’s (痛仰) set, the last performance of Midi, a 3-day music festival held this year in Zhenjiang (Jiangsu Province), China. Shortly after the video’s six minute mark, said naked foreigners make their grand entry. These will likely be “harmonized” soon, so enjoy while you can. [Update: the video already seems to be inaccessible.] // AjS
:: I came across this old instruction manual for a Hong Deng (红灯) model 265 radio while doing some research for this post. What a simple, compelling cover. It’s almost beautiful. There is something special about the green used, and of course the fonts. Excellent.
For the most comprehensive collection of old-school Chinese radio instruction manual covers you could possibly imagine, link here (it’s worth it). Bravo, well done. // AjS
:: I like sex just as much as the next average adult male (or female), but it’s staggering to see the amount of blatant advertising that goes on in China for sex-related services.
Even just a cursory view of any foreign language publication in Shanghai reveals a plethora of such “services,” most of which are targeted at male readers.
Despite an official government stance against both sexually explicit adverts and blatant promotion of sexual services, pretty much all the expat magazines and papers in Shanghai (Shanghai Daily used to be a prime example of this) have, or up until fairly recently, had sexually explicit advertising.
Online classifieds are even worse though. Check them out, you’ll find sexual service related advertising catering to the straight and gay male population.
If we narrow the field down to Shanghai, there are a few main websites with classifieds we can focus on. If we focus on Craigslist Shanghai, we can actually make some statistical analysis of this advertising.
Such adverts in Craigslist Shanghai typically mention “special services,” and happy endings, below is an example (pardon the grammar / spelling mistakes, it’s quoted content):
I have on offer something quite special, some would say something better than sex.
I am independent massage provider, Visiting you ( out calls only please ) at your private home/residence or hotel, My ultimate goal is to sensualize your mind, entice your body, elevate your spirit.I will fulfill all your desires in the most pleasurable way.
I will completely relax you with passionate, sensual caressing, massaging, and special touching over every part of your body, using my skillful hands and perfect breasts. Words can’t describe how good it will feel. I will let you touch me, as long as you let me do most of the touching! Of course, naturally, with a gorgeous woman being this intimate with you, you will become incredibly aroused, I will let this build up until, naturally I give you blissful relief.
Soft, tasteful music, candles and delicious aromas of essential oils will complete the atmosphere.
I am beautiful both of face and body (and mind, for those that this matters to!) sensual and curvy in the right places, 36C and rounded, sexy bottom. Soft features and cute and alluring smile. . My personality is warm, and I’m comfortable to be around.
Fee: Hot special Sensual massage: 300RMB 90mins
As each advert includes a telephone number, a basic Google search can reveal further information.
The local Chinese mobile phone number: 13524203930 has spammed Craigslist Shanghai 99 times in the last 30 days, although the advertiser has been rather consistent compared to others (see below).
This advertiser uses 13512189744 as a contact number, and claims to be a “young, beautiful, 100% independent Chinese girl named Lily” (again, pardon the grammar / spelling mistakes, quoted content):
I am a young and beautiful 100% independent Chinese girl. I have very soft, creamy skin and a cuddly, warm personality to match.
With a natural and fit 32C/D-24-34 figure I enjoy being a real GFF to distinguished gentlemen. Whether you seek a rslaxing evening with a glass of wine and conversation, or an exciting mid-day rendezvous I will provide you with my complete attention.I will give you the perfect massage. Our time is unhurried and preferred for the kind gentleman seeking an erotic and romantic confidant. I take good care of my health and body, and my face is beautiful. I am passionate about life and it is my nature to get pleasure from my work. I am playful or serious and have an appreciation of a good sense of humor.
I am looking forward to meet you soon. My phone number:13512189744 (lily)
Romantic massage /2Hr:300RMB
Happy massage /2 Hr:500RMB
Top oil massage/2 Hr :800RMB
Cross checking the whole of Craiglist Shanghai for “Lily’s” mobile number (13512189744) reveals 344 spamvertised ads.
Googling that same number shows that the Chinese BBS’s are also being spammed with this particular advert: example.
This advertiser is named “Anna:”
Hey Guy’s. If you are looking for a sexy, attractive, busty young girl to relax with tonight look no further.
I am Anna, 21 years old, 162cm tall and weigh 45kg. And now I’m living Shanghai.
I enjoy meeting new people. I am an independent, discreet girl ready to get a little naughty with a guy looking for a laid back down to earth cutie! I provide a memorable service, which is both erotic and relaxed. I am very warm, friendly, intelligent and easy to be with and provide a first class service!
Give me a call and let’s see how much fun can we have together!
A cursory check on Craigslist Shanghai reveals that that mobile number (15021931860) has been used 194 times in adverts over the last month, and more interestingly, Anna is also known by a number of different names: Anna, Grace, Nana etc.
Perhaps more interestingly, she also appears to look like different people in her different photo’s. A more cynical person than I might deduce that the pictures are fake.
The next advertiser, using the mobile number 15901761699, has no name, but has advertised 85 times under different titles / images. A Google search of that mobile number reveals more details than the other numbers above.
According to the Google results, the advertiser is actually named Linda Gao (高小姐), and she has an address, a company name, and a Web site.
Shanghai White Cloud Blind Masseuse Club (上海白云盲人保健按摩会所)
#33 Chenjiazhai Rd., Shanghai, China (上海市陈家宅路33号
http://www.shgongguan.cn
Unfortunately the Web site is not reachable, but as all Chinese Web sites require an ICP licence, it’s possible to look up “the responsible party.”
The Miibeian.gov.cn site reveals that the site was registered to Guan Junhua 关俊华, with a government issued ICP number of 08023983 for a number of (didgy) Web sites:
www.ywlp-sh.com
www.pandot.cn
www.chinamassage88.com
www.shgongguan.cn
www.shgangyun.com
Google ChinaMassage88.com reveals another mobile phone number: 13651884061, and an address (the other sites appear to be gone / inaccessible).
Unfortunately further research was a dead end – although a number of Web sites have exactly the same email address, and contact numbers. The businesses range from delivery companies to someone selling mail order clothing. There is also a link to someone asking for assistance in Web development / coding.
It’s likely that this is the Web site developer for the massage sites above, but I couldn’t find anything concrete showing involvement in the massage game, so they were probably just work-for-hire.
I backtracked to Linda Gao and searched for the company name instead. This led to a job posting advert for a spa site.
The job posting has a contact name for the job, which turned out to be Miss Gao (高小姐) again! More interestingly, it also has an address that actually exists, unlike the previous ones, and it turns out to be #298 Tongren Rd. (Shanghai), less than 300 meters away from where I am writing this post.
I pass this address on my way to and from work every day, so I’m quite familiar with the road and immediately realised exactly where I thought this would be: on Tongren Rd., in between the restaurants Malones and Spot Bar, the small “hairdressing” salon (i.e massage parlour). Every day I pass by there I see a bunch of bored, scantily dressed girls, and at least one on a laptop.
Unfortunately when I walked home tonight, my suspicions were dashed, as I realised that the potential location was on the wrong site of the street number wise. I was close though, 298 is actually the sauna *directly* opposite Malones. So, at last I had found the spammers. Mystery Solved. Kudos to them for being computer literate at least!
Craigslist even lists a Twitter feed dedicated to spamming / spreading the word for “special services” in China. Also, just for reference, her are the relveant online China anti-pornography law, and reporting sites
// XD
[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]
:: Shanghai’s streetwear scene is about to get a little more crowded. Urban threads superpower Stussy appears to be setting up shop on the corner of Changle Rd. and Shanxi Rd.
I wonder if similar brands will soon be touching down in Shanghai (or Beijing) to take advantage of the growing global demand for streetwear. And will local Chinese consumers react favorably to Stussy’s arrival? There seems to be a lot of growth potential in this market especially with the upcoming 2009 Shanghai X Games happening April 30th – May 3rd.
This follows a recent announcement by high-end streetwear retailer ACU (also located on Changle Rd.) saying it will be closing up shop from early May 2009 until the end of summer / early fall for re-branding and an enhanced sales environment.
Hopefully an official announcement leaks from Stussy soon. // JD
[Joey Dembs is a guest contributor on 56minus1]
:: Chen Zhao Rong (陈昭荣) dreamed of flying. Despite not being able to read English and with only a primary school education, Chen scoured through foreign-language flight Web sites, checking out pictures and schematics, before finally starting to build his very own helicopter.
Chen made and welded all the body parts himself, checking his design against photo’s on the Internet as he progressed with his work plan. After the body was built, he bought a secondhand engine and mounted it.
With a total cost amounting to less than RMB 70,000, and a little over 2 years of development, Chen finally achieved his dreams and made a flying helicopter.
He now had a flying machine, but he still needed to learn how to properly fly it.
For the first few months, every time he started up the engine, the whole village would come watch. It took him another 6 months before he was confident enough to take flight.
His first successful flight took him 1 meter off the ground.
Soon enough, he was flying 6 meters above the ground and then eventually above his 5 story building – he was afraid to go higher.
It took him another few months to be comfortable turning and landing his aircraft with ease.
Unfortunately, in May 2008, while flying to another village, he lost power at a speed close to 70 km/s and crashed his helicopter in a nearby field. Although fearing the engine would explode, he survived the crash and managed to walk home in one piece.
His wife was not so happy though, and left him for a week, threatening to leave him for good unless he stopped flying.
News about Chen’s exploits also reached the local police who subsequently made him sign a document stating that he wouldn’t fly again.
In the end, he sold his helicopter parts to a friend for RMB 20,000.
He still hasn’t given up on his dream though, and his fame lives on in the Internet, where thousands of people watch in awe at the video of his flight. Flying dangerously close to power lines, buildings, and somehow landing in one piece. // XD
[Xiao Du (小杜) is a guest contributor on 56minus1]
:: Danwei.org, everyone’s favorite English language Web site on Chinese media, Internet, and urban life, is making an official T-shirt to be produced and sold by Plastered T-shirts.
We are accepting design submissions and holding a competition to choose a winner. The competition is being housed on Danwei.org (English) and Neocha.com (Chinese).
The winning design will be sold in Plastered T-shirt stores in China and on the Internet, and the winner will receive glory, fame, and RMB 888 in crisp bank notes!
If you have an idea for a design, please download a T-shirt template from the links below, make your design, and email it to: tshirt@danwei.org (or adam@neocha.com).
The design can use an iconic Chinese image, simply consist of text, or be something wholly new, but it must have some connection with Danwei.org’s content, or the meaning of the Chinese word “danwei” (单位). Submitted designs do not need to be production ready: Plastered T-shirts will work with the winning designer to prepare it for production.
The competition closes at 8 AM on Monday, April 13. The entries will be judged by:
Dominic Johnson-Hill founder and chief creative officer of Plastered T-shirts
Jeremy Goldkorn founder of Danwei
Shen Qing Managing Director of FT Rui magazine, known in Chinese women’s magazine circles as the “godmother of fashion”
Dongdong Qiang post 1980s man of letters, student of the classics, and blogger
Mauro Marescialli: Founder of Standards Group, the design firm that created Danwei’s logo and visual identity
Adam J. Schokora (Me): Danwei contributor, Neocha.com partner, and blogger
Don’t hesitate: 888 yuan and glory are waiting for you, download a T-shirt template and send your design to Tshirt@danwei.org (or adam@neocha.com)!
Templates (any of these file formats are suitable): ai, jpeg, psd
// AjS
[full disclosure: 56minus1 is a contributor to Danwei.org and a partner at Neocha.com]
[UPDATE: see here for the winner.]
:: in the spirit of World Consumer Rights Day (March 15), I’ve been compelled to voice my consumer opinion on something that really pisses me off. And it’s not the typical case of foreign companies ripping off or insulting Chinese netizens, etc. This time, it’s the other way around. Here goes…
56minus1 is constantly spammed by this Web site: www.52jordan.com (52 in Chinese net-speak means “I love.” It’s a phonetic play on the Chinese phrase “I love,” which in Mandarin has a similar pronunciation as the numbers “5″ and “2.”)
Being the sucker (and Jordan fan) that I am, I recently gave in and clicked on one of the site’s links. I suggest you try it too, then come back.
OK, now that you are back, I’m sure you found the same dodgy site that I did: one that presents itself, atrociously, as a legit reseller of Nike Air Jordan, Air Force 1, and Air-Max series sneakers for only USD 85 or less (shipping included). Preposterous indeed, but, that’s what they say they are (sorta). From the site’s About Us section:
“We are a professional & reliable supplier of series of innovative, authentic & inexpensive Nike shoes with original box and retro card from China, such as Air-Jordan（1-23), Air-Max, Air-Force 1, etc.”
The site is riddled with suspect content. Google search any line of text from the articles presented in the News section to see that they have all been copied-and-pasted from random, unrelated third-party sites without any sort of citation. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oddly, the site is also mirrored (in full) at www.kissaj.com, www.gogoaj.com, and www.jordansport2.com.
I often see this kind of stuff on the Chinese Internet (in Chinese language) and think nothing of it because it targets Chinese consumers who are familiar with such scams and either know better or simply don’t mind not getting the real thing, etc. (However, I still don’t think any Chinese consumer would pay RMB 600 for knock-offs). But, I worry that those outside of China may not know better. Maybe they would. Sigh…
I wanted to learn more about this operation, so I added the Web site’s posted MSN instant messaging contact information (enjoyjc@live.cn) to my MSN account. This, and an email address, was the only contact information made available. Below is a slightly edited and translated transcript of the IM conversation I had with the “customer service” staff at www.52jordan.com. Interesting and bizarre. You draw your own conclusions, but, in doing so, please share in this post’s comment sections. The full Chinese (and Italian!) transcript of the original conversation can be found here.
56minus1: Hello? Anyone here?
52jordan.com: Yes, what can I help you with?
56minus1: Hi, I saw your 52jordan.com site, not bad! The problem is, my English is not so good so I can’t understand. Do you have a Chinese version?
52jordan.com: No. We only sell to foreigners / foreign markets. Sorry.
56minus1: I’m a foreigner, it’s just that my English sucks.
52jordan.com: Where are you from?
56minus1: Italy.
52jordan.com: What’s your phone number, I’ll give you a call. We have staff here that can speak Italian.
56minus1: I can’t talk on the phone now because I am at work and my boss will hear me. Hahahaha. I collect Jordan sneakers, but they are very hard to find!
52jordan.com: That’s OK, we’ll call you back after you get off work.
56minus1: I just want to learn more about how to buy the shoes because I can’t read the Web site on my own. They are so cheap, such a good price! How can they be so cheap? Are they fake? Are they “shanzhai’d” versions?
52jordan.com: Haha. Send me your postal address in Italy and then I will tell you how to purchase from the site.
56minus1: My postal address? I just want to know if they are real Jordans or not.
52jordan.com: Sorry, I must first confirm your postal address in Italy before answering your question.
56minus1: Okay, Fine. My address in Italy is Via Filippo Turati 3, 20121, Milano. [56minus1 editorial note: this is the address of AC Milan's stadium.]
52jordan.com: I am sorry, my Chinese is bad, can you tell me what “shanzhai’d” means?
56minus1: It just means fake, as in not authentic. They are so cheap on the Web site, so I’m curious to know if they are legit Nikes or what? I don’t get it.
52jordan.com: I’m sorry, let me have my colleague talk to you in Italian. My Chinese is not so good.
56minus1: Okay. But I think your Chinese is good enough to answer my simple question. Before switching over to your colleague, can you first answer me? I don’t care if they or fake or not, I will still buy them, I just want to know what I am actually buying.
52jordan.com: Ho potuto fare nulla per voi. Scarpe sono vere. È acquistare scarpe. (Italian, clearly via Google Translate, meaning: What can I do for you? The shoes are real. Do you want to buy?)
56minus1: Scarpe sono vere? (Italian, also via Google Translate, meaning: The shoes are real?) Really?
52jordan.com: Dove sei persone? (English: Where are you?)
56minus1: Milano, Italy. It seems your Italian is not so good either. How about we just use Chinese?
52jordan.com: Look, if you want to know about the shoes, just buy a pair and you’ll know, no? I think answering your question directly is pointless. What’s most important is that you first buy a pair and judge for yourself.
56minus1: Hmmm :-( If they are fake, I think the price should be cheaper. If they are real, it’s a great price and I may buy multiple pairs. So are they real or are they fake?
52jordan.com: They are real. Will you please give me your phone number so I can call you. We are very professional and will provide you the best service. I’m sorry, but we are closing up shop now. Please send me your phone number. We have 24 hours service.
56minus1: What? 24 hours service? How can you have 24 hours service and tell me you are “closing up shop?” Are the shoes really real?
52jordan.com: Sorry, we are all getting off work now. We’ll call you later if you give us your number. Don’t worry, we will take care of your service needs. Or, if you have more questions, we can chat again tomorrow.
56minus1: ?
52jordan.com: contact status changed to offline
// AjS
:: “…most PR firms do publicity, not PR. Publicity is the act of getting ink. Publicity is getting unpaid media to pay attention, write you up, point to you, run a picture, make a commotion. Sometimes publicity is helpful, and good publicity is always good for your ego. But it’s not PR. PR is the strategic crafting of your story. It’s the focused examination of your interactions and tactics and products and pricing that, when combined, determine what and how people talk about you…a publicity firm will tell you stories of how they got a client ink. A PR firm will talk about storytelling and being remarkable and spreading the word. They might even suggest you don’t bother getting ink or issuing press releases.”
- Seth Godin on The difference Between PR and Publicity, H/T to Rick Murray.
:: today while uploading a video interview I did with with Carol Lin to Tudou.com (arguably China’s leading video sharing site), I was struck by the audacity and real-time efficiency of the site’s content nanny. Tudou had no issues with the video content itself (but who knows, it’s likely to get “harmonized” soon, especially after this post), however, when I tried adding and saving the below video description (apparently “offensive” words / phrases circled, did I miss any?)…
…I was immediately given a smack-down by the site’s content nanny (see below). At least Tudou uses a cute animated character to deliver its big brother message. That always makes things better.
Impressive and disappointing at the same time, but a fact-of-life when doing business on the Chinese Internet, so, it’s understandable. No hard feelings Gary / Marc, I still love you guys and what you’re doing.
What surprised me most was that the system so easily took offense to English words. English words are usually not as closely monitored / sanitized on the Chinese Internet at large as the vast majority of Chinese netizens, truth be told, don’t consume English language content. I wonder if Tudou’s content nanny censors offensive words in any other languages, anyone? I wonder if Youku.com does the same, anyone? // AjS
:: my dad always told me that my taste buds would change as I got older. He would usually tell me right as he turned down a bite of something sweet. He was mostly right, but he inexplicably failed to mention that donuts were exempt.
So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the Donut King at Grand Gateway Mall in Xujiahui. Having sampled (and been disappointed) by Mister Donut and Dunkin’ Donuts efforts in Shanghai, I agreed to grant Donut King a shot at The Throne.
While I cannot speak to the caliber of the prepared donuts, I can testify that the cinnamon sugar donut is the best donut in Shanghai. The fine folks at Donut King drop dough into a magic, frying donut machine (see below) and a minute later emerges for some a quick sugar coating and then — voila! — you have fresh, warm, cinnamon sugar goodness.
In addition, while the taste is regal, the cost is only a pedestrian RMB 6; available at Grand Gateway in Xujiahui or at 1649 Nanjing Xilu in front of Jingan Park. [full disclosure: surprisingly, this is NOT an advertisement, but rather just an observation from an inspired donut lover] // JL
[Jon Lombardo is a guest contributor on 56minus1.]
:: what do you do if you’ve lost your job in the economic slump, or if you’re worried about the security of the job you still have? Netizens in China have a wealth of sites online where they can turn to their online friends for information, emotional support, or just to complain.
Bujingqi (不景气)
The most famous discussion forum started in response to the economic downturn. Its name means “slump,” and it claims that when the Shanghai Composite Index rebounds back over 6,000 (it’s at 2,221 today), it’ll close down. The site is a space for laid-off and nervous workers to talk about their prospects, seek new opportunities, and find ways to let off steam. There are subsections devoted to techniques for reducing stress and for saving money, and there’s a board where new graduates can gripe about their own specific problems and seek help from their more experienced colleagues in the workforce. Bujingqi is run by Daxiang Technology, which also runs iWallChina, a rating site for domestic brands. For more information on Bujingqi, see the WSJ’s China Journal blog post from December, and a China Business article from February which suggests that Daxiang is laying the groundwork for a social networking system that’s not just another Facebook clone.
JobLoser (失业网)
This aptly-named website is devoted to providing support to people who have lost their jobs. Although its forums cover the same range of practical topics as Bujingqi, the focus of the JobLoser site is more about emotional support. The BBS posts currently featured on the front page include “Don’t despair at your unemployed life!”, “You’ve lost your job, but you still have your heart”, “Waiting for life for one year and two months”, “My life’s hit a dead end”, and “How to face the stress of the job hunt after losing your job.”
Douban savings clubs
On the BBS-oriented social networking site Douban.com, users have formed a number of groups devoted to sharing ways of saving money. “Let’s all do a 100-yuan week” was created in November 2008 and currently has 160 members who discuss strategies for saving on utilities, transportation, and other major expenses. It follows a sister group, “Five yuan a day,” which was founded in June 2008 and is oriented more toward the purchase of food and daily necessities. It has 976 members. The 1128 members of the “Ten yuan a day” group, founded in July 2008, are more interested in economizing in the cities, where it would be very difficult to live on just 5 yuan a day. The stated goal of these communities is not just to help their members live cheaply, but to live well. Douban’s “No-money travel” group was started in 2006, before the current economic crisis, but it remains active today. Its 12,563 members share transportation tips, ideas for low-cost lodgings, and from time to time arrange to meet up in real life.
User-generated forums
Some online discussion forums allow netizens to set up topical discussion groups that are viewable to the public. On the Tianya BBS, for example, morbid netizens can wait for the axe to fall by watching the Layoff board. The majority of posts are straightforward announcements layoffs or rumors of impending downsizing, but there are also a few in-depth discussions where members trade gripes about companies. The current top thread is a discussion about one netizen’s complaint that HP refused to renew his contract, which has been running since last November. Baidu also has a netizen-generated Layoff board, but its Unemployment Board is substantially more active. The community of unemployed (or soon-to-be-unemployed) netizens air their complaints and share tactics for finding new employment. One long-running discussion predicts that the job market will remain bad throughout 2009 and asks netizens to share their job hunting experiences.
51Job Questionnaires
51Job.com, a major online HR site, has an online “salon” where netizens can share their opinions on topics chosen by the site’s moderators. A number of recent survey topics have involved the economic crisis, with questions basically boiling down to asking netizens whether they’re concerned about being fired. For example, in response to the question “Right now, how has your attitude toward your work changed?”, 29% of respondents chose “I’m working harder to make sure I don’t get cut”; 20% said “I’m not working as hard as before, because even if I did, I’d still have my salary reduced, or end up laid off”; the remainder chose “I’m working the same as I was before.” A long list of comments by registered members express both frustration at current circumstances and hope for better opportunities in the future. But this is a job hunt website, so it shouldn’t be read as being representative of netizens as a whole.
// AjS
:: when people ask me what China is like, I inevitably end up touching on how important education is to the Chinese. It really is recession proof. I usually talk a little bit about the imperial examination system (科举) and its eventual evolution into the modern national examination system (高考). It is the single democratizing factor for all 1.3+ billion Chinese -– the one way that anyone could theoretically study his or her way to the top.
In the future, I am just going to show them the below picture. If you look closely, you can see two young boys riding a zipline over a river in Yunnan as part of their daily commute to school. Talk about a surefire way to wake yourself up for morning classes. // JL
[Jon Lombardo is a guest contributor on 56minus1.]
:: a great animated video titled The Crisis of Credit Visualized by Jonathon Jarvis that tells the story of the world financial crisis so that everyone can understand: slowly and simply. // AjS
:: in the office today I noticed a colleague of mine wearing an interesting contraption around his neck. He’s not injured – despite its bulkiness, he assured me the device it’s strictly for comfort. I want one. // AjS
