Another thing that people don't mention was, calendar. Do you have a Calendar briefly discussed about it, but again, it is something with some sort of network effect - calendar is only useful when everyone has one if you want to keep the exact time for meetings. Otherwise, your life will be miserable with delay of meetings, and no shows if you are the only person who are not flexible enough to move meetings randomly on that day.

Buddhism

One of the sharpest question about Buddhism during our visit to South Putuo Temple was about the high ticket price to enter most temple in China. In my personal view, with the systematic destruction and a little bit construction of religion in China, the Buddhism temple has gone to a path to tourism location. The original meaning of quiet meditation and peace in soul have been forced to count the revenue of donations, so they build bigger houses to attract more people. The improvement of buildings in a temple certainly cannot meet the stronger religious needs from the confused people.

A Generation of Confusion

I know our American friends were confused by the Confucius ideology and the materialism and needs for a higher moral standard in China. When asked how I feel, my quick answer is, I am confused.

China has entered into a stage of conflicts. Within a short period of 30 years, the rich and the poor, the money-centric culture, and the traditional virtue, the new laws, and old conflicting laws, the materialism and the remaining internal pride not to talk about it --- all these things mixed together, in a chaotic way that many people including me are quite confused, and one way out (as many people take), is don't think about it, if you don't to be more and more confused. I talked a lot about that confusion in my daily life on this blog in the last 7-8 years.

American Songs

Heard an interesting song when going to Karaoke with American fellows: Love Shack. It is an interesting song - very funny for me to listen and with a nice MTV attached to it. The closest song I can find to match that style of 1980's American song is the Mice Loves Rice about few years ago in China. It is nothing serious - just that type of song completely for fun with repeated sentence: "I love you, just like the mice loves rice". It is an expression of simple, stupid, but true happiness, and people love that popular folk song. I am happy that people in China started to appreciate those songs without high morale standard in it (as opposite to those propaganda songs)

Xiamen

Another note about Xiamen. It is, as I always say, an amazing city. This is maybe the third time I am in Xiamen this year. Xiamen is just 299 RMB or 1.5 hour away from Shanghai, and the airport is pretty close to the hotel area (not the downtown - the hotels with beach), and you can safely treat Xiamen as the back garden for Shanghai (although most people say Hangzhou is the back garden). I love Xiamen and I love to put my meetings in this amazing city.

Post your comment

Let me post some photo of the noon view of the nice hotel room.

Wow! It's beautiful! I've never been to Xiamen, and wish to go there in the future.

Posted by: Michelle on November 5, 2009 2:29 PM

What's the name of this hotel? It looks great. I didn't reserve a hotel on Gulang Yu last time I visit Xiamen, and it seems I made a big mistake.

Posted by: Chen Rui on November 5, 2009 3:50 PM

Seaview Resort Hotel, Xiamen.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 5, 2009 10:58 PM

It looks really so nice!

Posted by: Grace on November 6, 2009 12:10 PM

wow! I want to go there, looks sunny and nice!

Posted by: Yee Shian on November 6, 2009 4:30 PM

Retiring to a 5-star oceanfront resort, cavorting and patting each other's back.
What can one expect from this annual meet of sino american cooperative organization?
PROBABLY a "Chimerica Manifesto" in public,
BUTT a roadmap to a life of celebutante and socialite in private.

Posted by: shanghai-ren on November 7, 2009 2:22 AM

Post your comment

Update November 04, 2009

I finally sit in my nice sea view room at Seaview Hotel. The flight was delayed by 3 hours, so I was stuck in the airport for 5 hours today. When I arrived in Xiamen, it was already 9 o'clock.

It was so nice to my old friend, Jan, Jon, June, Matt, Stacy, Rose, Jennifer, Biao, Reihan, and new YLFer there. Will go to bed now, and expecting the great session tomorrow.

It seems that the luggage has been delivered to Xiamen. Congrats!

Posted by: Michelle on November 4, 2009 11:36 PM

Share some well-designed funny luggage with you:
http://www.likecool.com/Suited_Case_by_Erik_De_Nijs--Design--Gear.html
You'll love them if you're waiting for delayed flight/train in some crowded traffic terminal.

Posted by: Adam on November 5, 2009 8:58 AM

Post your comment

I will be in Xiamen from November 4 to November 11 with the main session from November 5 to November 7, and the extension trip from November 8 to November 10.

Looking forward to your update on YLF 2009. Eager to know whom the "great people" you are to meet there, and what you are to discuss on.
I had an interesting dream last night: I was sitting in the last row on a bus, and the guy sitting beside me was - Kaifu Lee - one of a few persons I admire so much! Is he attending this forum too? Are you seeing him there?
I know he is your good friend. It's really odd for me that you didn't mention him in your blog in the past several months, during which so many things happened to him. I had thought you would start even another series for him and his new adventure. Anyway, I know your rule. Your blog. You deside what to talk.

Posted by: Adam on November 4, 2009 10:34 PM

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My Position

I support Wendy with all my heart, but I intentionally keep a far distance from the business. There are several reasons. First, it is Wendy's business, not mine (well, although legally speaking, I am also an owner). I know it is her dream to own a shop, and I let her do it without interference. Second, to run a shop requires a lot of time and energy, and I have my business to take care of. Sometimes, to put a firm line and won't over commit is a must in today's world. It is more of a joyful journey than a serious business anyway. I want to be a helper and observer, more than a participants. If I retire one day, I may be very happy to join in, and deliver milk tea to customers. That would be very interesting (more interesting than sitting in an office).

Milk Tea and Happiness

I was surprised to discover the connecting between a milk tea shop and happiness. Yes. It is just a mom-and-papa type of small shop. But when you quietly sit from a distance of the shop and see smile on people's face, you just feel good about it. Just like Disney, milk tea is a business delivering happiness to people. Restaurant? Maybe "decent", "elegant", and "just nice", or book store - "knowledge", "empower"... for milk team, the term connected to it may be "happiness", "romance", and "relax". I will be happy if someone say: That milk tea is so GOOOD!

A tip for this specific shop: the standard flavor of the shop tends to be a little bit sweet, as many customers told them. So you can choose mild sweet when asked.

Staff and Post-90s

I realized many of the staff in the shop were born after 1990 - the post-90 generation. They are doing very well - energetic, with nice communication skills. I was actually surprised. They were all recruited on Baixing.com within 4 days, and Wendy said: Good job! and I am happy to hear that.

Location, Location, Location

As you can imagine, the location of the shop is the key to the success of the business. Wendy was very lucky to find a shop in one of the best location in Shanghai. That is at the exit of the busiest Metro station (People's Square Station), opposite to one of the landmark of the area (Raffle's City), and besides arguably one of the busiest pedestrian in Shanghai - the one crossing Xizang Middle Road. To be short, it is at the center of the whole city. Technically speaking, it is 371 meters away from the theoretical center of Shanghai (which is the Park Hotel). If you search "Shanghai" in Google Maps, the shop is 300 meters away from the point marked as Shanghai. It is also within the same block of that point - the location of the Shanghai Municipal Government.

Sitting by the shop at night, and seeing huge flow of people passing you, and see the nero of Nanjing Road, you surely know that you are feeling the pulse of the city. I love that location.

Best Wishes to the Business

As any new venture, there are risks, and returns, joys, and sadness, ups and downs. There is a good start. At least the next time, we know where to hold our blogger meetup. I guess the next time, we will do it in People's Park, with milk tea delivered. I believe Wendy may be kind enough to give us special "Buy one and get one for free" offer. :)

P.S. Another good news. I finally got back my eBay id: jianshuo. I love a simple ID without ugly numbers attached to it, like jianshuo99, or jianshuo2009. Now jianshuo is my gmail id, hotmail id, Facebook id, twitter id, Paypal id and eBay id. It is pretty good evidence that I am an early enough adapter to most new services. My eBay id was already 7 years old.

What do you mean by Milk Tea Business. Do you sell Milk tea or what?

Posted by: Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa on November 2, 2009 8:06 PM

To: Meng ~ Jiansuo's wife,Wendy,opended a milk tea shop with Taiwan brand Ting Tea~~~~~

Posted by: Sarah on November 2, 2009 9:56 PM

It's a cafe, Mengembalikan, selling more (cream) teas than coffee or snacks.

Posted by: Jie on November 3, 2009 4:02 PM

Headed to 人民广场 today, and decided to drop by the milk tea shop. Ordered a 仙草奶茶 and it was pretty good! Not sweet, just the right taste for me. The service was good too! I was a little lost at the process of ordering and getting the drink, but the cashier was very patient with me and greeted me warmly. Business will definitely be good because the shop is located strategically!

Posted by: Yee Shian on November 4, 2009 1:11 AM

Is this a franchised business? or Wendy orchestrated all the marketing and operational details by herself.

Posted by: stephen on November 4, 2009 11:10 PM

It is franchised business - pretty easy to get started.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 5, 2009 1:11 PM

Post your comment

Your new toy is not bad. Can see the Crater Baily clearly from the photos - the largest one near south pole.
I still remember the excitement when I saw lunar craters for the first time through an astronomy telescope in my junior high school. I was fascinated by the magnificence and mystery of the universe during those a few years, and dreamed I could work in an observatory after growing up. Dream is dream after all. All those astronomy knowledge in my brain is fading away, and fewer & fewer stars can be seen in the city nowadays due to air pollution. Children living in the cities can hardly understand why the galaxy is also called Milky Way. I once had a chance to spend a few nights on a peak of Tianzhu Mountain in Anhui (altitude about 1500m). I'll never forget that splendid scene, a twinkling "river" running across the dark black sky. At first I thought it was a cloud, until later I realized it consisted of unnumbered dim stars. Do bring your camera and take some starry night photos if you are to stay in mountains one day.

Posted by: Adam on October 31, 2009 12:08 AM

Ooooo. That's pretty amazing.

Posted by: Molly on October 31, 2009 1:34 AM

Wow. I can never do that with my camera!

Posted by: Yee Shian on November 4, 2009 1:13 AM

JSW: great pics! does your Cam come with an attached telescope?

Posted by: JT on November 4, 2009 11:42 AM

Hi! Jianshuo, I've got the same question with JT. The moon in your photo is like that one I observe through the telescope. It's not like the moon we see with the naked eye. By the way, how are you in Xiamen?

Posted by: Michelle on November 4, 2009 2:38 PM

I think that's just the "zoom in" function of the cam.
Usually you need to use a tripod when you shoot a dim object while zooming in. Otherwise you can't hold the cam steadily and the photo would be vague, coz the zoomer also magnifies vibration of your hands. Another solution is to adjust the ISO setting of the cam to a very high value, so you will only need a very short exposure time, during which little vibration could happen. But not every cheap cam can do this. I don't know if Jianshuo had used any of these tricks. If not, he may have the potential to become a good sniper.
I do have a question too: why the 2nd photo is yellowish. Did Jianshuo change the "white balance" setting?

Posted by: adam on November 4, 2009 6:54 PM

The answer is simple - it is just the zoom in feature with no add-on. The camera comes with 12X optical zooming, and 150X digital zooming.

What impressed me a lot was the 3D Stabilizer. Even with 150X digital zooming, the image is still very stable. You can even use the camera to shoot the moon on the moving car without too much problem.

The stabilizer is just like the lens floating in oil. You shave it heavily but it makes the move very soft and smooth.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 4, 2009 11:16 PM

To answer the other question about the yellowish moon - it is because I changed the exposure (not white balance) to show more details of the Moon.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 4, 2009 11:17 PM

Post your comment

The Location

Here is the location of the shop:

211 Xizang Middle Road, Shanghai, China
It is at the corner of Xizang Road, and People's Blvd.
It is opposite to Raffle's City, and at the foot of the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum
It is also at the gate of the People's Park and at Metro Exit #3 of People's Square station of Metro Line #1, #2, and #8.

Why

This is an even more important question. Wendy always has a dream of opening a milk shop (it seems it is many girls' dream), and I support her to do it with all my heart. Too often that people have dreams but don't have time to go for it, and I am happy for Wendy to be able to do it. It is more about a hobby and an experience, other than anything else.

The next you visit the People's Square, do stop by the store and have a cup of milk tea. If you have a Dianping account, you are welcome to leave your comment there.

WOW. Congratulations to Wendy and to you !!! Wish you two a lot of luck as I believe luck is a good thing in a new venture. And happiness too :-)

I will try to stop by next time visiting Shanghai :-)

Posted by: STLPlace on October 29, 2009 11:38 PM

tons of bloggers would show there...

Posted by: WJ on October 30, 2009 12:27 AM

congrats... Wendy become the lady boss! I'll go and try pearl bubble milk tea :-)

Posted by: DC on October 30, 2009 12:27 AM

Congratulations! Great location. What's a milk shop by the way?

Posted by: Molly on October 30, 2009 12:49 AM

Congratulations!

So what do I have to do to get a free cup of boba nai cha?

Posted by: Kai on October 30, 2009 1:02 AM

Great ! definitively, when I am around I will take one cup of tea !
Congrats!

Posted by: camille on October 30, 2009 1:42 AM

Is the shop staffed by Wendy herself? Or is she just the boss?

Posted by: martin on October 30, 2009 2:25 AM

We will be in Shanghai next week. I love the milk tea we can get in China but can't get in the U.S.
We will certainly visit.
甄玫 罗彬

Posted by: zjemi on October 30, 2009 3:17 AM

Congratulations to Wendy for pursuing her passion! I can't wait to stop by the next time I'm in Shanghai. Maybe she can advertise on Baixing. ;-)

Posted by: RC on October 30, 2009 6:59 AM

Best wishes!

Posted by: jqian on October 30, 2009 7:08 AM

Congratulations and good luck for the newly started business :)
If I happen to be in Shanghai I will surely pay a visit and sip some milk tea.

Posted by: Fabrizio on October 30, 2009 8:00 AM

Wow! My da yi's home is close, so next summer I will give it a try!

Posted by: Greg on October 30, 2009 9:46 AM

Congrats!
Wish Wendy a booming business.
That location is "G point" of Shanghai. [ I mean golden point :) ]
If it doesn't invlove any business secret, do you minding telling us how much the rental (or price, if you've bought it) is?

Posted by: Adam on October 30, 2009 10:11 AM

Congratulations!
I am in Shanghai now, and will relocate to Shanghai Pudong with my husband. We will go to Wendy's Shop for the milk tea for sure. Are there any chance to see Your Wendy there?

Posted by: Wendy on October 30, 2009 10:49 AM

Congratulations!

Posted by: Sam on October 30, 2009 11:22 AM

JS, you should have posted this announcement earlier before the opening. I'm sure the opening will have a good crowd and you can hv another blog gathering during the opening. hahahaha...

Posted by: DC on October 30, 2009 12:42 PM

@STLPlace, thanks a lot. Next time you are in Shanghai, you can easily find the shop.

@RC, yes, to follow one's passion is a great thing. She recruited all her staff within three days on Baixing - interviewed about 10 persons Baixing. Now, many shop in that chain hire staff on Baixing. They got excited to know I am in Baixing, because they were banned on Baixing for repeated posting before. :-)

@Adam, the rental is pretty high (no disclosure), but I think it is a great location. Time will tell if it is true.

@DC, what a crazy life, and world - Both Wendy and I were exteremely busy working on our own staff. I did pay a visit at night, and had nice milk tea there.

Again, thanks all for your warm congratulations. Do drop by. You may not see Wendy there, but she is thinking about having a drawing notebook there, so you can leave a message.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 30, 2009 6:49 PM

Congratulations to Wendy for her new venture. You are a good husband supporting her to follow her passion and to make her dream come true. I wish her lots of luck. I don't live too far away from her shop. I'd love to stop by in the near future. Do you have wireless Internet access in the shop?

Posted by: TW on October 30, 2009 7:26 PM

wow! congratulations! I would stop by there soon with my friends~
How are the prices like? I have always been drinking at RBT or Happy Lemon.

Posted by: yeeshian on October 30, 2009 8:03 PM

I heard that monthly rental for a small milk tea booth at the centre of Causeway Bay (adjacent to the gate of Times Square) in Hongkong is HK$300k, but that boss still earns a huge fortune. I think you/Wendy have made a right decision. Location is of top priority in this business.

Posted by: Adam on October 30, 2009 8:05 PM

GOOD for her!! that's great news, so cute :) I'll probably be in Shanghai sometime in the next 6 months and be sure to stop by if I'm in People's Square.

Posted by: shan on October 31, 2009 8:35 AM

"Wendy always has a dream of opening a milk shop (it seems it is many girls' dream), and I support her to do it with all my heart. Too often that people have dreams but don't have time to go for it"

I love these words ! Congratulations to Wendy.

Posted by: Balon on October 31, 2009 10:41 AM

The price ranges from 5 RMB to 8 RMB.

Now they are offering "Buy 1 and get one for free" promotion.

So the price is half of the listed price.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 1, 2009 12:01 AM

Congratulations!! Can we, the ones who live overseas, take a rain check for "buy 1 and get 1 for free";-)... just kidding.

Posted by: GN on November 1, 2009 11:44 AM

Wah! Congratulations, Wendy!! I have been "OOBR" (out of blog reading :-) for more than a week now (we have a guest and I went on a road trip with her) so am late offering good wishes for your new venture. How exciting to have your very own place. It looks wonderful, and I feel sure you will enjoy much success.

As with anything when you are an entrepreneur, there are sure to be some headaches, but much satisfaction as well.

Have fun with your new "baby"!

Posted by: Carroll on November 1, 2009 1:12 PM

:) Great, hehe, congratulations :)

Posted by: cheery on November 1, 2009 4:20 PM

HI! Jianshuo, I've just been back from the People's Square. I went to Wendy's tea shop around 6:00 pm, and happened to see her there. The business seemed to be quite good, and I had to line up to ask for one cup of jasmine milk tea there. The the service is pretty good, for the waiter even put the straw into the cup for me. I think I will have a cup of tea every time I dropped by in the future.

Posted by: Michelle on November 1, 2009 7:30 PM

Hi Michelle, around 6:00 PM, I happened to be in the shop also - I just visited there for 1 hour from 5:00 PM. It was a pity that I was not there. I tried to help Wendy when I can but meanwhile, keep a far distance from the shop - I was also attracted to be involved - it was such an interesting business. You see people's smile. I believe icecream shop and milk tea shop, just like Disney, is manufacturing happiness. It is a much happier business than hospital (I don't want to be a doctor because he has to face suffered people everyday).

It is a new shop, and the service needs improvement, and they are lack of hands now.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 1, 2009 11:19 PM

Wow!It was really a pity that I didn't see you there. I meant to talk to Wendy when I saw her, but I didn't. I mean that she doesn't know me, and she was really busy and talking to one of her staff. I don't know whether it was the right time.Yeah, the waiters were quite busy. Please feel free to tell me if you need some help because the lack of hands now, and I'm gald to give a hand.

Posted by: Michelle on November 1, 2009 11:40 PM

Congratulations to you, Janshuo!
You life is a blossoming flower, full of hope and energy.

Posted by: Christina Hou on November 2, 2009 11:55 AM

Wow! Congratulations!

It's so cool! Wendy become a boss of her milk tea shop. I admire the peoples who have their own dreams and can finally go for it. Beside time, energy and much efforts put in, it sometimes needs much more courage, I will definitely try her pearl bubble milk tea when i am in Shanghai next time, and hope to meet Wendy also!
And i love the location also, coz it is near the Raffle's city which is my favorite shopping mall :o)

Posted by: AliceFeng on November 4, 2009 5:40 PM

I am thinking about what I can ask Wendy to help to do if my readers arrive her shop. A special discount? obviously she has the say on this.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on November 4, 2009 6:07 PM

Post your comment

I wrote about the Real Human's Voice Behind the Internet (Chinese) more than 4 years ago. I was basically arguing the current Internet is full of people with real identity. "No one knows you are a dog on Internet" is no longer cool. People need human voice behind each website. I am obvious a good candidate for that human voice. Should I jump out and tell people that the person's identity who post most reply in the community, and doing customer service work?

I am planning to do it gradually in the next few weeks. What is your thoughts?

It's not good to reveal your true identity, just gut feeling.

Posted by: jqian on October 28, 2009 2:17 AM

don't do it. knowing that you are the CEO, people will keep bugging you and start complaining when you stop replying them.

Posted by: one on October 28, 2009 2:34 AM

once people know you are actually the CEO, they will start developing this "customer service metality"...they will take you for granted and become spoilt.

Posted by: one on October 28, 2009 2:38 AM

It seems like this post may have already outed you, if people already know who is the most frequent poster...

Posted by: Graham on October 28, 2009 5:05 AM

just check the M8 (the Meizu phone) forum which their CEO J.W. show up very often.
do you want be someone like him?

Posted by: M8 on October 28, 2009 6:12 AM

hmm, I would be mored worried that you will become the next Whole Foods CEO. See http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/whole-foods-ceo-posted-online-attacks-about-wild-oats/. I am sure your posts on Baixing as a regular community member are valuable and harmless, but it misleads other community members nonetheless.

A simple example: I log onto Baixing and see that X posts a lot and is a very active member. If I think X is a regular community member, then I might deduce that X derives a lot of value out of Baixing and that is why s/he posts a lot. However, if I knew that X is the company CEO, then I will not draw the same conclusion. Of course X would contribute a lot. S/he is the company CEO.

My gut reaction is that posting anonymously is not being very honest. Even if what you contribute to Baixing is good solid information, why do you need to do it hiding behind a curtain? And if you are trying to create the sense of community, then posting a lot as the anonymous CEO can even be seen as creating a fake community.

Sorry if I am being overly critical of your anonymous identity on Baixing. I don't know a lot of things about Baixing (how big is the community, what kinds of things you actually post, the ratio of your posts to those made by other members).

I think telling people your real identity (or starting a new profile with a username like jianshuo) is a good idea toward a transparent, honest, and do-good company. I encourage you to go that route.

Posted by: shan on October 28, 2009 8:17 AM

hmm, I would be mored worried that as an anonymous contributor (but really the CEO), you will become the next Whole Foods CEO. I am sure your posts on Baixing as a regular community member are valuable and harmless, but it misleads other community members nonetheless.

A simple example: I log onto Baixing and see that X posts a lot and is a very active member. If I think X is a regular community member, then I might deduce that X derives a lot of value out of Baixing and that is why s/he posts a lot. However, if I knew that X is the company CEO, then I will not draw the same conclusion. Of course X would contribute a lot. S/he is the company CEO.

My gut reaction is that posting anonymously is not being very honest. Even if what you contribute to Baixing is good solid information, why do you need to do it hiding behind a curtain? And if you are trying to create the sense of community, then posting a lot as the anonymous CEO can even be seen as creating a fake community.

Sorry if I am being overly critical of your anonymous identity on Baixing. I don't know a lot of things about Baixing (how big is the community, what kinds of things you actually post, the ratio of your posts to those made by other members).

I think telling people your real identity (or starting a new profile with a username like jianshuo) is a good idea toward a transparent, honest, and do-good company. I encourage you to go that route.

Posted by: shan on October 28, 2009 8:18 AM

Here's more information about the Whole Foods CEO: http://tinyurl.com/yur2dh

Posted by: shan on October 28, 2009 8:20 AM

I tried to follow up with a link to a New York Times blog about the Whole Foods CEO and his online anonymous persona, but I think your comment moderation kicks in whenever comments include links. You can google "whole foods Rahodeb" to read more. The second search result is the original New York Times article.

Posted by: shan on October 28, 2009 8:23 AM

Just do it!

Posted by: Jim on October 28, 2009 9:34 AM

@shan, don't worry. Comments with links will be reviewed before it is published. It is not live on this blog.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 28, 2009 10:38 AM

Totally agree with "one"'s comments. Not a good idea.
Though it might bring some more traffic to Baixin due to celebrity effect. But IMHO, the increase will be very limited until you become a star in the entertainment industry. And I don't think you would have the interest to enroll yourself in those "Super Girls / Jia You, Good Boys" contests.

Posted by: Adam on October 28, 2009 10:48 AM

Thanks for the feedback, from both sides. Let me share some more background to this discussion.

Currently, I am identified as a Baixing employee. I reply about 100 post everyday, basically doing customer service work, like help people to recover password, explain why their account was suspended, handle reports about bad ads, and response to suggestions. That is very tough job to do. But I believe that is one of the most important thing a CEO can do - to be as intimate to their users as possible - you get the use need and pulse of the community by first hand interaction, not just by numbers, and reports. Involving in a community also helps to form opinions that is aligned with what the community want, not the company want.

There are decision for me to make is whether I should actively identify myself as CEO of the company, or I just keep the current situation, when users think I am a customer service guy. The problem with customer service identity is, there is lack of personality, and lack of personal connection, which is very key to a community. Calling a friend of a company, and calling a call center is completely two different feeling - when everyone in a call center is identified by a staff number, they are treated as a smart robot. I hear the message many times: "I want to talk to your manager..."

About "customer service mentality" @one mentioned, it is actually the CURRENT problem. They take it for granted that they deserve customer service, but a community is all about a lot of people gathering around a site for mutual benefit. No one asked for "customer service" on this blog, right? I want to turn the customer vs customer service mentality, to community member vs community member type of feeling.

@Graham, I am not hiding my identity, and I feel comfortable for people to know it. It is just about whether to let people know pro-actively or not.

Think about this blog. If it is named Shanghaiblog.com, and you never know who is behind it, what type of community will it be?

I actually already tend to be part of this community with my name (jianshuo), and title (when it is needed and if appropriate). It is a huge personal commitment to the community - you always need to be accessible, but I think it is good for that community.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 28, 2009 11:08 AM

@Adam, it is nothing to do with ME. It is about the personal voice of a website, no matter who is running it. I am just thinking about it from a community building perspective. It does not matter what the ID is. You can call it "SmallCat", but still, when everyone recognize it as someone who can make decisions, care about their issues, and hear what they have to say, and response to them within 30 minutes everyday, the community is very different, I GUESS.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 28, 2009 11:11 AM

Thanks for the explanation Jianshuo! That makes a lot more sense, and I apologize for having been so harsh earlier without knowing all of the information.

I would still advocate for you to reveal yourself as the CEO. It is very tough to be in the organizer position, and it is in people's natures to feel entitled to service. That's true at your successful company; that's true for a party or a trip that I organize for fellow students. I think revealing yourself as the CEO would create two extremes:

1) The people who are upset now, talking to you the customer service, will be even more upset talking to you the CEO because they will think "what kind of a CEO are you if you can't even do this for me."
2) The people who are satisfied with their customer service will be greatly surprised and very very happy knowing that the CEO of the company personally helped them solve the problem.

Those of situation (1) are not worth feeling bad about. There are just impossible people who will always feel entitled to more service, no matter how illogical. For me, I just shake my head and move on in these case. Those people in situation (2) however will greatly change their opinion of the company for the better and really feel a closer connection to the company. Wow, the CEO 一点不扛架子， 和百姓们共同生活。 Such is the point of the Baixing community, no? :)

For me, the benefits of (2) greatly outweigh (1), not to mention you're unlikely to satisfy the people in (1) anyway as a regular customer service person.

My 2 cents, and promise i'll shut up now :)

Posted by: shan on October 28, 2009 12:37 PM

@ Jian Shuo
Having re-read your post, new comments & links, I modify my comment:
It could be a good try by injecting more humanity into machinery. But I still don't suggest you appear on it as CEO Wang Jian Shuo. Just to apply this conversion on your staff will be fine.

Posted by: Adam on October 28, 2009 12:42 PM

Tell them you are the CEO if they ask for a "manager". It'll be fun... and hopefully that they were not too upset of anything.

I do think it's a great idea to let the community know that the CEO is with them... but make sure before you do it that you know you are making a commitment. It's great that people feel that they can reach the CEO "directly"... but after you set the stage... it may not be so "cool" if you can't keep it up. I think if you set the expectations right up front, it should work for your and the community's benefit.

I won't worry too much about what's going on with the Whole Food CEO. I don't know the details... but I sense there is more than just what he said about the other company before he bought it etc. This guy is out there openly opposing Obama's health care plan... and the New York Times is a big supporter of Obama... so I won't take anybody's side too quickly on this one. It is actually very disappointing that American medias are taking sides more obviously since this president took office... that's a different story.

Posted by: GN on October 28, 2009 3:29 PM

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. Let me further explain the situation.

Unlike most business, classified itself is a strong community business. Community business is, at its core, all about people. It is not like CEO of a manufacturing company joining into customer forum. Community itself is built around personal connection. It is all about a group of people and their interaction. If it was not a community business, it actually does not matter too much, but in a community, that is crucial. You cannot imagine a community without some identifiable key person, just like a Craigslist without craig, an eBay without Pierre (or later Griff)...

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 28, 2009 5:26 PM

Perhaps the most famous CEO ever is: Virgin Group Chairman: Richard Branson. At the beginning he did not know how to promote his company, make his company memorable and visible. Someone said that he should use...his face. It works quite well: we know the face and the company:) Just a thought.

Posted by: Mary on October 28, 2009 6:57 PM

Well, the bottom line is... it is your business... you should be able to operate the way you envision it... I don't think there is a rule. A face, an operating style... these are all in your hands. Donald Trump is out there no matter what you think about his hair style... he's not going to change it... for nobody.

I don't know how much Craig is out there in the community of Craigslist... though I do check that site sometimes... but as an end user, I don't see the difference between if he is available or not. The only time I got to "know" about him was when Craigslist ran into trouble (the killings) some weeks ago... and he had to come out and make statements... guess I am just not a typical user.

But in general, CEO does represent more liabilities... it is true that it is a community but it is also true that it is a business.

Posted by: GN on October 29, 2009 11:51 AM

Post your comment

• A Car Plate = 27200 RMB in Sept 2009 September 19, 2009
• Shanghai Car Plate is NOT Investment January 20, 2008
• Seat-Belt? Oh. No. Thanks! October 29, 2007
• Congrats Victor for Getting Car Plate - at 46500 August 19, 2007
• Shanghai Car Plates IS Investment August 6, 2007
• Controversy Car Plates July 24, 2007

Bid for a Shanghai Plate

On Saturday, Wendy and I joined the bidding for a Shanghai plate. The price turned out to be 33900 RMB. We failed in the bidding. Our price was 34400 RMB at the last second, but it is out of the +-300 RMB range, and was rejected.

The Way Bidding Works

The procedure of the bidding is like this:

• You need to go to the government agency office to buy a bidding permit. That cost 100 RMB with 2000 RMB deposit to guarantee that you will pay the money if you win.
  
• You install the software on PC and join the bidding at 10:00 AM on the last Saturday of the month.
  
• You are allowed to place a price during the first hour (10:00 AM to 11:00 AM). At 11:00 AM, the first phase of the bidding closes. The system will broadcast the lowest winning price based on the bid it received. If you don't place a bid, you give up this bidding, and can join the next month.
  
• In the second phase, from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, based on the current lowest winning price, you can place your bid once or twice. It requires the offer must be within the +300 RMB and -300 RMB range of the current price. With the bidding going on, the lowest winning price goes up, and so can you raise your bid along with it.
  
• At 11:30 AM, the auction closes, and announces the lowest bidding price

At 33600 RMB, we entered 34400 RMB (the lowest bidding price + 800 RMB) hoping that we can be sure to get it. But finally, when we hit enter, the price didn't go that high, and we were rejected.

We will join the next bidding the next month and report back the result. It is a combination of strategy and luck - with luck as a very important fact.

Auctioning the local plate as a measure to control the growth of the vehicle is unfair to Shanghai drivers, the authority should consider the electronic road toll to control the usage of the road and not the number of vehicles.

Posted by: stephen on October 27, 2009 1:36 AM

hehehe got it year ago for same price, but dollar was stronger

Posted by: Max on October 27, 2009 8:39 AM

it's a rip-off, period.

Posted by: cookie on October 27, 2009 9:38 AM

What is the advantage of the Shanghai car plate over other car plates?

Posted by: Realclearchina on October 27, 2009 12:11 PM

But Why we need a local plate? I think a 苏E is OK.

Posted by: Sherwin on October 27, 2009 3:55 PM

In the car category (click car at the top navigation of this page), I explained the difference. The key difference is, you cannot access the elevated highway and middle ring at rush hours (7:30 to 9:30 and 16:30 to 18:30). I have used a Hangzhou plate for five years, and feel it is the time to pay more and buy more freedom for myself.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 27, 2009 4:47 PM

You don't need pay any tickets if your license plate is not Shanghai local, since the fine is collected by Shanghai local gov, no one cares when you renew your license outside Shanghai.

Posted by: Car on October 27, 2009 11:38 PM

I admire your courage to evade the judiciary system in Shanghai, someone have to cut his finger off as to vindicate himself from a offence that was wrongly accused.

Posted by: stephen on October 28, 2009 2:10 AM

What a maddening process. But it makes for great posts. I've enjoyed your blog for a while. I remember teaching in Shanghai, a student told me that his car plate was stolen. I thought about license plates in America, easy to get, maybe 25 bucks... so it's annoying yes, but if someone stole the plate... WHO CARES! I'll just get another one. Little did I know that car plates in China are the way that you describe. I was shocked... and it was a great racket that those thieves were doing. Anybody would give them money, and a lot of money, because the alternative is to get back into the same maddening process again! UGH!

Posted by: Magnus on October 28, 2009 2:12 AM

Post your comment

Post your comment

Need to give my eyes some rest.

I promised Wendy and myself not to touch my computer this weekend.

Wish I could do the same. Unfortunately, I can't do my job without computers. Yes, there also has to be two of them. Nowadays, I wouldn't know how to live without computers. Enjoy your computer-free days.

Posted by: Molly on October 24, 2009 1:54 AM

Well, this reminds me of a interesting group in douban. It is "你为什么不关掉电脑去做爱..."，but when you click in，it actually is "你为什么不关掉电脑去做爱做的事". (The Group name is too long to be completely displayed) There are a lot of people doing the same thing: Swearing they wouldn't touch the computer for ...
And when I was in college, most of us sit in front of computer in spare time. It was really boring, but we didn't know better way to kill the time. But when sometimes the Electricity was cut off for regular inspect, things were different: We played cards, sitted around chatting, and a buddy next-door played guitar in the dark...
the good old days.

Posted by: Sonic on October 26, 2009 10:58 AM

Try the Bates Method for your eyes.

Posted by: Cheng on October 27, 2009 1:37 AM

Post your comment

That was an account created 7 years ago, and suspended 5 years ago. I submitted the online request. As expected, nothing happened - no reply - after few weeks.

Then I gave them a call: +1866-643-2959. It worked very well. They promised to send the activation email to my new email address.

Phone works better than email, always for large companies.

P.S. How embarrassing! A former eBay director still need to call the call center to have account released from a suspension 5 years ago.

Hi,
Have you ever bought something from TAOBAO ?

Posted by: luwei on October 23, 2009 3:52 AM

I had a similar experience with Bank of America, huge bank. A lot of banks now have a feature for you to chat/IM a customer service person. I tried it thinking I can still do other work on my computer while IMing (ha, I do that anyways with friends while working :). After a few minutes of chatting with a service rep, she said she does not have permission to do what I asked for and that I needed to call on the phone. I called, and the person took care of my request in seconds.

I can understand email being slow because there is a lot of spam out there to sort through. But I was actually IMing someone in a chat window. I don't understand why that was so problematic. Perhaps call centers have much better infrastructure?

Posted by: shan on October 23, 2009 8:15 AM

In the future, in order to make electronic request work just like phone, companies must adopt a trouble ticket system. This system would allow users to make formal request and assign urgency to it. The company must promise how long it will take them to resolve the issue based on the urgency rating. Today's rudimentary way of sending an email or starting a web chart won't work because there is not a formal "contract" to abide by from both sides, thus quickly lost in transaction.

Posted by: jqian on October 23, 2009 9:31 AM

I would hope to creat a combination of realistic business and online website. I think I would pay more attention to the Online feeback more than Call center. coz, some guy Just like you would like to get some help from web.

Posted by: Spark soon! on October 23, 2009 11:46 AM

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I was reading the website of the restaurant where you celebrated your birthday, to my surprise the restaurant features "French Concession" as a selling point. Since the Shanghai public concession has been abolished since last government, is people today still fond of the past history or they prefer the infrastructures left by the foreigners before the war?

Mixed Feeling about Shanghai History

Shanghai is a very unique city. Its founding was because of a treaty - the Nanjing Treaty, one was always referred as unequal treaty in China.

From the day one of the modern Shanghai since 1840s, the city was mixture of Chinese and westerns, and of cause the culture of Chinese, and western culture.

If you see Shanghai as a child, he has a Chinese mother, and a western father. The western culture is actually put into the blood of this city. The intimacy of this city and the whole western world is by culture blood line.

French Concession?

You see this connection easily by architect - the whole French concession was well kept, and the building along Bund. But most importantly, it is the way people in Shanghai behaves - the respect to contracts, hobbies about decent nice restaurants, and many westernized things. If you walk on the small streets in Shanghai, you can feel the deep connection.

The Painful Conflicts

After being in Shanghai for 14 years, I can see the struggle and conflicts in the mind of Shanghaiese. Just like an abandoned child with a foreign father, Shanghai cannot admit its connection with the western world in the last half century, especially the forming of this child is because of a rape.

People try to avoid that embarrassing history of this city, but the city itself is the evidence of that embarrassing history for China. On one hand, all students in China were taught to "hate" those countries who invaded China during 1840s to 1940s, and described that period of time as the darkest time of Shanghai, on the other hand, that was the most prosperous ages for Shanghai. Why so many people still loves the 1930 style of Shanghai?

Back to the French Concession

Today, many people in Shanghai is trying very hard to rebuild the elegance and gracefulness of the old 1930 times. But they did it without claiming anything, because it is something that you cannot claim in public. It is pride mixed shame. It is love mixed with hate. It is also a memory people try to pickup but avoid to mention.

P.S. I wrote a Chinese blog article about my observation: A mixed blood named Shanghai.

As for Stephen's query, I reckon the answer from most Chinese people is: that's nothing but interest/curiosity on exoticism. Similarly, we like to visit the Palace Museum in Beijing, and it doesn't mean we yearn for the days of Qing Dynasty.
"Concession" is a sensitive word to many Chinese (unless it's mentioned in articles on tourism, foods, architecture, arts, & whatnot). Who would be so cheap to cherish the history, during which there was a "Chinese and dogs not admitted" bulletin board at the entrance of the park?

Posted by: Adam on October 21, 2009 1:41 AM

The current government (and its followers) always take credits for all the good things that happen in China and blame foreigners for all the bad things/fuckups.

For example, riots are often conveniently said to be "orchestrated" by some evil foreigners or governments (reminds me of what's happening in Iran now) who "manipulate" Chinese people.

And then you have these leaders in Hong Kong, speaking at a National Day celebration event, try to attribute the success of the city solely to the Central government's leadership, as if Hong Kong never existed before 1997 or 150 years of British rule had achieved nothing.

Posted by: one on October 21, 2009 2:14 AM

French Concession is a history, but I don't think it should construe as "painful memory", as matter of fact, the area served as a sanctuary for many Chinese during the war years while the rest of Shanghai was obliterated by Japanese artillery during the "Battle of Shanghai".

Just look at Hong Kong, It has been the British Colony over 150 years, and today people there still praise the education, judiciary system and governance set up by the British and reluctant to comprise with China. It also served as a sanctuary for many Chinese during the era of "missing 20 years". Will someone call the British ruling a "shame"? at lease not in Hong Kong.

Posted by: stephen on October 21, 2009 2:28 AM

>>all students in China were taught to "hate" those countries who invaded China during 1840s to 1940s

How many people from those times are still alive today ? Can we really blame those people's descendants ? Can't we accept that things change with time and look ahead instead of complaining about past issues, no matter how hard and terrible they were ? Do you think that the current generations of French, or Japanese or English people are still in the same state of mind than their predecessors, who were born at the beginning of the 1800s ?

Just my 2 cents.

Posted by: Zima on October 21, 2009 5:43 AM

I don't think Shanghai's history is a shame. Many don't think Hong Kong's history is a shame either. The so called "shame" was actually a propaganda in children's text book intending to portray foreign influence as counterproductive or evil. In reality, thanks to the foreign influence that came in from port cities like Shanghai, China was able to progress with a flourish of new ideas. Think about it, Communist party was founded in Shanghai and its first convention was held in Shanghai. There was no other place in the old days having such a high political tolerance. Shanghai back in the 30s and 40s was the warm bed for new thinking and new ideas and even the radical ones. Compared to today's materialistic driven academic environment and party-line reciting educational systems. I like the cultual livness of shanghai in the 30s and 40s much better than today's.

Only the party wants everybody to believe that old Shanghai is dark. It's time to wake up from that brain wash.

Posted by: jqian on October 21, 2009 10:51 AM

Thanks to foreign influence that came in from major port cities like Shanghai, let me drive my point one step further, the idea of communism and socialism came in from France and England. Shanghai was the warm bed for tolerating such ideas and served as a safe harbor to protect such underground movements during the 20s and 30s. Were it not for cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong, the founding of Communist party would have been indefinitely delayed. Likewise, the revolution lead the Sun Zhong Shan would not probably have the chance to gather enough momentum to bring to its fruition.

Founding of cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong is definitely very significant to China in its recent history. Its history is not at all dark, rather, it's bright and glorious and should be respected by most educated Chinese. The very author of "dark" theory forgot that their party came out of Shanghai due to its tolerance of ideas.

I hope I made my point :-)

Posted by: jqian on October 21, 2009 11:01 AM

I'm an impecunious Chinese man, living in a small apartment. One day, Bill Gates knocked at my door.
Gates: Hello there.
Me: Hello... Oh, my god! Mr. Gates! Fancy meeting you! What can I do for you?
Gates: I'm bringing to you a very good deal.
Me: Unbelievable! What's that?
Gates: I'm going to spend one million dollars to re-decorate your shabby living room. Throw all those rubbish out, replacing them with the best available furniture & home appliances on the world. I'll turn your living room into a gorgeous palace.
Me: Great! But why do you do this for me?
Gates: Because I plan to send some of my staff to live here. They are doing some business in your community.
Me: I see. And I guess the profit you get from this business is much bigger than 1 million dollars.
Gates: Of course. I'm more of a businessman after all than a charitarian.
Me: I can understand that. It's still an attractive proposal for me. I'll welcome foreign guests.
Gates: No, no, no! Let's make one point clear. My staff won't be your guests. They will become hosts of this living room. They will do whatever they want regardless of your opinion.
Me: Any other conditions?
Gates: They will also bring some bodyguards with guns, to ensure their security, in case they have some unhappy dissension with you. Hard to accept this? Come on! It's good for you on the other hand. I know you have a unfriendly neighbor who intends to loot you. In case he jumps into your bedroom from the balcony, I will allow you to hide in my living room.
Me: Hmm... Mr. Gates. It's an interesting idea. But I'll have to think it over.
Gates: No. Actually it's not a proposal. I'm here to inform you that we will do this! No matter you like it or not.
Me: Bang the door onto Gate's face.

Posted by: Adam on October 21, 2009 12:49 PM

God say, Adam.

The prosperity is only the side effects of colonization.

Posted by: LIDETING on October 21, 2009 6:56 PM

Adam brought up a very vivid description of colonialism. Actually that's what they have been doing for the last xxx many years in Asia, in South America, and in Middle East. Colonialism is a strategy mastered by the British and then refined and inherited by the Americans. Do you guys think Colonialism died away today? No, no, it simply morphed into a brand new form. Yesterday's colonialism was characterized by leasing a land or grabbing a land to establish a physical colony. Shanghai was a typical colony by several countries. That form of colonialism is gone today. But hiding behind is a virtual colonialism carried out by the same players, notably American and west European power. The new way of colonialism is show placed in front of everybody in Shanghai, the glass shined buildings, the ritzy upscale shopping malls, newly established multimillionaires and billionaires... Why do I say all this prosperity is a result of new colonialism? Because when you look at how many Chinese enterprises are now firmed controlled in equity shares by foreighn multinationals, you will understand what I mean. Although most of these companies still carry a Chinese brandname, such as Tsingdao Beer, the mother company has already fell into foreign control by equity rights. That is why in the US, many people are now calling China as "Chimerica". Is it dark and evil? If we use our old ideology to analyze it, yes, it's definitely dark. But at the same time it brought untold wealth to China. Most of the wealth in China has been created by exporting stuff to America and Europe. Most of the big manufacturers in China are being directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the consuming countries. Today's colonialism is not physical, but via monetary control. If you have to use old ideology to label it, today's Shanghai may be even darker than that in the 30s.

Posted by: jqian on October 21, 2009 9:03 PM

"The new way of colonialism is show placed in front of everybody in Shanghai, the glass shined buildings, the ritzy upscale shopping malls, newly established multimillionaires and billionaires... Why do I say all this prosperity is a result of new colonialism? Because when you look at how many Chinese enterprises are now firmed controlled in equity shares by foreighn multinationals, you will understand what I mean."

Following this logic, I'm led to think that Deng Xiaoping is actually the ultimate traitor. It's Deng who opened China up to this new form of "colonialism" after all. Or is China's recent acquistion of African/South American/Australian ores and mines actually a Chinese attempt of colonisalisation?

Posted by: one on October 21, 2009 10:55 PM

oen said:
"Following this logic, I'm led to think that Deng Xiaoping is actually the ultimate traitor. It's Deng who opened China up to this new form of "colonialism" after all. Or is China's recent acquistion of African/South American/Australian ores and mines actually a Chinese attempt of colonisalisation?"

My response:

It's not fair to label Deng for this or that. Deng pretty much had no choice at that time. He did what is supposed to be done.

Just like the old colonialism benefitted China in surprising ways, new Colonialism may have its constructive effect toward China on a grand scale of things. It's too early to make any conclusion one way or the other. However, one thing is certain, if China can take this opportunity of borrowing foreign expertise to gain a foothold in this global food chain, and eventually go up to the top of the food chain, then this colonialism will end up being very healthy. The risk is that China may not fully take this opportunity to learn the skills (not just technical skills, but soft skills like financing power as well as global influence) to fully leverage it to go up the ladders. If China end up remaining at the lower parts of the food chain, for example, perpetually remaining as the commodity maker rather than the innovator, then China will pan out no better than her past. Don't be fooled the superficious ritzy glass buildings and shopping mall. All that is some construction mirage that doesn't really tell a country's strength. Next 10-15 years will be utterly critical to determine if China will end up in the advanced nation or remain as the low end manufacturer.

Most advanced nation today established their wealth via multiple decades of colonizing less developed nations. China needs to play the same game. She needs to act more aggressively to become a colonizer, rather than a colonizee.

So far, there has been no sign yet for such transition.

Posted by: jqian on October 22, 2009 12:02 AM

I wouldn't say having foreign investments in domestic industries count as a form of colonialisation, unless it reaches a point where these investors have enough economic leverage that allow them to have significant political influence e.g. choosing their preferred leader.

Posted by: one on October 22, 2009 12:58 AM

One, you may be right to say that today's virtual colonialization is not a pure one. You can argue that it may not even count as one. In my opinion, it is an advanced form colonialism exercised by foreign multinationals. Foreign equity control of Chinese enterprises has risen in recent years to an alarming level. It's as if they had been planting a seed for eventual total colonization of Chinese economy. Today, it seems to most people that such total colonization is not possible. That is only because the economy is doing fine. What if in the future, when something breaks down and send the economy into a big recession or even depression, like what has happened to Japan for the last 15 years. Such seeds planted earlier could ballooned into a virtual full control. The danger is definitely there. Behind all the shallow optimism, the key concern is that Chinese economy is not totally under self control. Chinese enterprises lacks pricing power, and being sqeezed to earn meager profit on every thing they export. The exporting industry contributes more than 50% of Chinese GDP. It's easy for everyone to understand that when a country relies significantly on foreign consumption and yet without pricing power, it is subject to foreign manipulation. That was what happened to Japan in the late 80s and early 90s. Recently, China has developed a huge bubble in asset prices (you know how expensive a condo cost in Shanghai) before she can stand on its own feet with domestic consumption. This asset bubble helps to deteriorate investment returns for most other Chinese main street industries. Critical money is being spent on boosting the asset price, rather than spent to boost China's innovative power. All that could setup a very vulnerable environment. Any future economy crisis could allow the seeds of foreign equity control to astronomically expand.

Colonialization in the 20s and 30s was simple and easy to understand. Today's process of secretly colonizing China is very hard to discern with a shallow eye. Most people are oblivious about that. All they feel is optimism as examplified like the October parade. However, a major undercurrent of virtual colonization is underway, and sadly, the central government so far has no policy to deter that.

Posted by: jqian on October 22, 2009 1:49 AM

I agree with much of what jqian has written but I would add that what we have now is a situation where many multi-national corporations have GDP larger than many developing countries. These multi-national corporations are themselves actors within a global stage and pursue their own interests often at the detriment to the centralized states like China, United States, Japan. The own loyalty that the multinational corporations have is to seek profit for their investors.

Global multi-national corporations often play one state against another in order to reap subsidies and advantage. In the United States, for example, competition for China and Asia is often used as a bully stick to undercut worker's wages, social programs, and environmental protection.

This of course does not mean that the nation state is obsolete or does not have a powerful role. And I agree just as Meiji Japan in the 19th century was able to transform itself from a potential victim of colonialism by the West to a colonialist power, China has the same opportunity today.

In a way, our current situation is like feudalism -- the centralized state being equivalent of monarchs and the multi-national corporations like vassal lords. Just as in feudal times, it is not clear where the power lies -- between the nobles or the king.

Posted by: pduong on October 22, 2009 5:14 AM

pduong,

I agree with you. The interest of multinationals may not fully align with that of their home nation. You also brought up a very good point. Despite all the material progress China has made over the years, the mass mentality, including that of the ruling classes, remain in the form of feudalism. Therefore, I don't see China's capitalism is a true capitalism. In reality, it's a veiled from of feudalism with the disguise as the capitalism. The way people think remain basically the same as hundreds or even thousands of years ago. A leap forward in material advancement can be much easier achieved than a leap forward in thinking. Although most Chinese seems to enjoy the modern way of living, they still desire or obey a central power, a monarchs. In Britain, such monarchy system is a symbol only, but in China, the party is the monarch and it's control on people is real. Such system is very susceptible to corruption because fairness in distribution of wealth is very hard to achieve. When multinationals intend to play one side against another, they may have a fertile ground to play.

I wish for a day that China can finally become a superpower. But that day won't come until there comes a true reform of the political and economic systems that allow more or equal opportunities for majority of citizens. Until that happens, I predict there could be more troubles ahead.

Posted by: jqian on October 22, 2009 7:19 AM

Thanks for the thought provoking comments. I want to say that today too much power in China is concentrated in the hands of the Government and large companies. This is also true of state owned companies which provide such a large part of the revenue of local governments and therefore have a lot of powe, as we've seen recently with the problems of polluting factories.

Regarding China's projects in Africa, they are a new experiment and I hope they work to China and Africa's mutual benefit. Mutual benefit is the way to acheive lasting success. In that case it isn't colonialism.

Posted by: Martin on October 22, 2009 12:18 PM

Great comments by jqian. Not sure I agree with some of the details but it was refreshing to read the thought and nuance invested into the subject of historical colonialism.

Posted by: Kai on October 22, 2009 4:49 PM

No need to consider the "new colonialism" simply as a great scourge. It could be a win-win mode, if only foreign shares are still under control. China, currently at the low end of the food chain, may have to play the lick-sugar-on-blade game to struggle upwards. I guess China is intentionally raising the threshold value. But once it's reached, it will be a show time for the central government to display the advantage of this political system, by easily throwing out some new policy overnight to turn the trend.
China as "colonizer": The projects in Africa are well known. Seems not bad (for both sides), and have caused some jealousy. China is even making some attempt on US. Having had some bitter lessons on "Blackstone Group" & "UNOCAL", China is starting a new try, according to a report on New York Times last Friday:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/17/business/energy-environment/17cnooc.html?_r=1&ref=asia

Posted by: Adam on October 22, 2009 5:23 PM

Although the following article has nothing to do with colonialism or Shanghai's history, it's depicting the most significant history in the making, today's asset bubbles throughout China brought about by the huge amount of stimulus money.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aWmgMyTQJHgU

Posted by: jqian on October 22, 2009 8:23 PM

"China as "colonizer": The projects in Africa are well known. Seems not bad (for both sides), and have caused some jealousy. China is even making some attempt on US. Having had some bitter lessons on "Blackstone Group" & "UNOCAL", China is starting a new try, according to a report on New York Times last Friday"

I think the oppositions these Chinese companies are facing are fair enough. Don't forget companies like CNOOC are in fact state-owned i.e. easily influenced by the decisions made by the undemocratic government in Beijing.

Posted by: one on October 22, 2009 8:29 PM

I agree with Xie that when people are inside a bubble, they usually think it's normal and can find tons of reason why the current trend is justified. A bubble can only be obvious after it busts. America's lesson is a great one. Back in 2006, there were no shortage of experts and economists touting for a 10 more year of housing boom. They justified their optimism by the the onslaught from a generation of baby boomers reaching peak earning power and able to purchase luxury homes and second or third homes. They even suggested that China's growth would prevent USA from going into any serious economic setback. National Association of Realtor's chief economist even published a best-seller titled something like "Did you miss the boom...", suggesting that an even bigger housing boom would follow in next decade. Well, unfortunately, none of these optimism saved us from the reality. Many places in the US has experienced price drop by 50% or more. And baby boomer's so called "strong demand" didn't pan out.

Today, similar kind of optimism is flooding Chinese. Just like how people felt during 2005 and 2006 in the USA, an urgent feeling to catch the last train before it's too late, people in China today are experiencing the same kind of emotional torments. If they don't buy, the price will go up and they may be forever shut out of the housing market. This kind of feeling is natural and it can often blow the bubble bigger. Many many people are finding justifications for today's move, such as "Mother-in-law's demand", "Urbanization trend", "Government will never allow price to fall", "Generational pitch-in for purchase of one properties", etc.

Although the stimulus money is working wonders to the continuous growth of Chinese GDP, the side effect of an asset bubble will become a long term threat to the economy. If we care to look around the globe and review the history for last 100 years. No prior property bubbles ended up well, most ended up devastating the players and investors. I hope China could become an exception to the rule. The current Chinese bubble may not burst immediately, but it may suck too much money in that should have been spent elsewhere for innovation and raising food chain level. Therefore, the stimulus money is not well spent, it helps to create a black hole for every body and their money to fall in. At the same time, funds are lacking in private enterprises and people are having no appetite to invest in real mainstream business, simply because the return is not as good as that from investing in housing.

Posted by: jqian on October 22, 2009 8:49 PM

@Adam, your story with Gates ended with self esteem, too sad!

150 years ago, a British merchant name Taipan asked the Admiralty to take the island of China call Hong Kong as his trading post. Taipan built his warehouse at East Point and started trading with China, he hired more workers than the local government, he built infrastructure for all the people to enjoy, he built horse racing club, hotel and skycrapers, he turns Hong Kong from a fishing villager to a international conglomerate. Today, the same Taipan still hire 250,000 people working for the company.

Without colonization, do you think China will give extra freedom to the people of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems"?

Posted by: stephen on October 22, 2009 11:42 PM

Agree with stephen, colonialism did benefit the colonizing hosts. At the same time, it forced changes upon their targets. Target nation often feel bullied. But think about it, without such bullying, will they ever change? Last 100 years of changes in China have been forced upon by external influences and forces. Much of these changes were not desired for in the eyes of the ruling classes at that time. Chinese has a long inherent nature of mistrust toward foreigners and their ideas.

Posted by: jqian on October 23, 2009 12:22 AM

Let's talk about the constructive outcome from colonialism.

Colonialism is not a new thing for the last 200 years. It's part of the human recorded history since the Egyptian times. Greecian was the major colonizing force at its time. Later, it was itself becoming a target by the Roman empire. The same pattern can be said about Eygpt. Asian had its colonizing glories as well, the most notable one was Gengis Kang. Colonialization is a part of human nature, strong nations try to leverage the resources of weak nations. Just like capable persons can establish companies that would leverage the labour from less priviledged workers in the name of providing employment. The idea is exactly the same, just that the scale is different.

Blind self esteem would not solve a thing. The only way to protect self nation to not become a victim of being colonized is by becoming a colonizing host.

Mao's saying "We will never invade or meddle with other nation's affair..." has brainwashed our poor countryman into possessing only self esteem, but lack of desire to leverage other people's resources. In this world, if you don't leverage others, others will leverage you. The world has never been a fair play although the western colonizing hosts always try to leverage weaklings in the false name of "fair play". The so called fair play is only a disguise. Colonization is deep inside a strategy to leverage other nation's resources to help the host nation. Today, American empire's goal is to force China to become a low end manufacturer, becoming their factories, so that dirty manufacturing process won't happen on the streets of Los Angeles, but on mainstreets in China, thus locking China down into the lowest step in the food chain.

Mao's non-aggressiveness mentality is actually a poison that caused Chinese to focus on squeezing their own fellow citizens. It's time we learn to leverage outward, not inward! I am seeing signs that our people are learning. But not enough.

Posted by: jqian on October 23, 2009 12:50 AM

Arise all who rufuse to be slave!

This is the first lyric of the National Anthem, but who is the slaves and who is the slumlord?

Posted by: stephen on October 23, 2009 1:14 AM

@ jqian
I tried to convince myself that your point of view is correct, but I failed here: Should China have accepted Japan's proposal of "Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere" in 1930's, instead of fighting the 8 years anti-Japanese war? And if a time travel machine put us back into those days, we should stop General Zhang Xueliang from triggering the Xi'an Incident if we got a chance? If the war had started, we should send intelligence to Japanese army to help them win the war? Because having Japanese controlled China (they may also win the war against America if majority of their troops were not bogged in China), we would lead a much better life than it is today. All those "traitors" are actually martyrs? What would you do if you were back there?
Comparatively, it will be much easier for me to buy the "White-Haired-Girl should marry evil landlord Huang Shiren" opinion.

Posted by: Adam on October 23, 2009 1:30 AM

@Adam, perhaps you can think objectively.

Two and half century ago, if the British did not defeat the French at Plains of Abraham, today we may be blogging in French. Just like the Forest Gump once said "Life is like a box chocolates, you never know what's in it"

Posted by: stephen on October 23, 2009 2:04 AM

We should think objectively, i.e., raise our vision on a level that goes beyond personal clingingness to a certain nation or ethnicity. If we limit ourselves in thinking that's biased to our own ethnicity, then it's very hard for us to understand the picture. The big picture is that colonialism has been a major part of human history since day one, not a new concept at all. Colonialism will be with us as long as there continue to exist nations with distinct needs. In a resource scarce world like today, the intension to colonize will get stronger. I am characterizing colonization as a general concept, not just limited to a narrow version of physical occupation. Today and future's colonialism may still resort to the old format, but more likely transformed into a virtual format, such as economic colonization (like what's happening in China?) or political colonization (puppet leaders established by their hosts), or maybe other new formats. As long as there is resource shortage, there will be desires for colonization. Colonization serves a very good course for the host nation because it can resolve resource, energy, man power and even intelligence needs by leveraging their colonies, no matter they are in physical form or virtual form. USA and European nations have successfully transformed China into a new colony of making low end commodities, freeing themselves of having to hire and spend resources for making them. For example, USA can simply send US dollar to China to pay for these products, in the end these US dollar returns to the US in the form of US treasury purchase. Today's colonization is done in the disguise of free trade. But in reality, nothing is free. By designating China into a low level in product supply, China lost the chance to have any say in pricing power.

Despite such success in America or western nations new colonization scheme, why didn't they cause any animosity inside Chinese mass psychology? Because such "free trade" format of colonization is done at surface level benefiting both the hosts and the target nations, creating untold amount of new wealth into the hands of target nations. How would people in China generate animosity when they live in a nice apartment and drive a new car, and yet still see their housing price continue to rise, leading to a sense of genuine enrichment? This is hard. But in reality, if China gets too comfortable at making toys and shoes, forget about whoever controls the world controls the pricing power, they may fall into a trap that may prove hard to climb out in the long run.

Posted by: jqian on October 23, 2009 2:36 AM

Colonisation is an animal instinct. It happens in animal kingdom and human's world. But what intrigued me was when the Ancient China was at the height of its might (Ming dynasty). It never occurred to the then emperor or kingdom the need to conquer the rest of the world. Instead successive emperors build walls to protect its border. The West is now harbouring the fear that China late coming to the power equation is a threat to world peace while they are happy rejoicing the colonial glory past. This is hypocrisy to the hilt.
Mind you USA today is still a western colony to the native Americans. Most native Americans had been exterminated and they have even lost their culture and language, the US said that is assimilation, where as what happened in Tibet is genocide.

Posted by: Soon on October 23, 2009 3:40 AM

Once again I have to agree with jqian. At this point in history, the rules are still written by the former colonial powers of the last century -- europe and united states.

As it is right now, the West subsidizes its lifestyle with cheap East Asian labor -- clothing, cars, electronics, computers, all types of manufactured goods China has become a low wage sweatshop for the West which has "donated" its old polluting industries... So at the same time that the Western consumer receive cheap products, the Chinese low wage workers receive the "benefit" of smoggy air, dirty rivers, deforestation, and all the waste products of modern industry.

In this way, the "new colonialism" is more effective than the old colonialism. Even during the old colonial period, there were always people in China who benefited from the colonial occupation and even became rich. So it is not surprising that there are Chinese people who now benefit from Western investment.

The only difference is that whereas in the past the West had to use the threat of military force to impose its will against the colonial subject, now the same exploitation can be done without such obvious tactics and is more subtle (No more "No Dogs or Chinese" signs in Shanghai these days).

If China is not careful, it will always be a "developing country" much like latin america for the last hundred years --in other words, a virtual colony of the West.

The description above is not necessarily a criticism of what China has achieved. Because it is a poor developing countries, it has to play the rules of the game as written by the West. The question is now whether it can avoid the trap that jqian pointed out of becoming basically a low wage slave to the West. If so, then it may be able to rewrite the rules to its own advantage.

One thing is certain though, in the world politics and economics, nothing stays the same. The European powers weakened themselves after two world wars, which allowed the US and former Soviet Union to emerge as dominating powers. Right now, perhaps the United States, with its pre-occupation in the middle east with its two wars (afghanistan and iraq) is committing the same slow national suicide.

If China can capitalize on the mis-steps of the other powers, it may well become the superpower of the 21st century.

Posted by: pduong on October 23, 2009 4:12 AM

"But what intrigued me was when the Ancient China was at the height of its might (Ming dynasty). It never occurred to the then emperor or kingdom the need to conquer the rest of the world. Instead successive emperors build walls to protect its border."

Are you sure? I've read history textbooks that boast about how the border extended to Hungary in Yuan dynasty. Many highly-regarded emperors in Chinese history are also known for their eagerness in conquering their neighbours (and they did).

Posted by: one on October 23, 2009 4:20 AM

The tributory missions during Ming dynasty by Zheng He and his fleet went as far as Africa is a colonisation attempt, nobody can deny that.

Posted by: stephen on October 23, 2009 4:22 AM

Should be tributary missions.

Posted by: stephen on October 23, 2009 4:31 AM

@one, that is Yellow Peril during Mongolian horsemen era, and European historian never mix that piece of history with China.

Posted by: stephen on October 23, 2009 4:48 AM

Actually, during the Ming dynasty China invaded and conquered Vietnam but after 20 years of occupation it was forced to withdraw and had to settle for a tributary relationship.

Given that the Ming were unsuccessful in subduing Vietnam, it probably made them cautious about expanding to other parts of Asia.

Also China always had to deal with the tribes in the North in Mongolia and Manchuria and that also kept them occupied. In the West, with tibet and Xinjiang, expansion would have been difficult because of mountainous geoography and poor climate for agriculture (compared with river valleys of yangtze and yellow river).

Chinese history is o no different from the history of other nation. China emerged as a state in the North and assumed its present size through colonial expansion. What we think of now as southern China was occupied by non-Han kingdoms thousands of years ago. Over time through conquest, assimilation (forced and unforced), provinces like Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi became annexed and now are considered "China proper". This process is still going with respect to the land in the west (ie. Tibet and Xinjiang).

Posted by: pduong on October 23, 2009 5:07 AM

@pduong,

You are right on the point! The formation of today's China is in fact a result of its own colonization effort. The instinct to colonize is nothing more than an animal's desire to expand its territory and control. Yes, Tibet/XinJiang is a most recent example.

Posted by: jqian on October 23, 2009 6:59 AM

1. @ jqian & pduong: good points on the "new colonialism". Well worth reading.

2. Could any foreign friends (or someone have good knowledge on the West) help to clarify some questions for me:
* I'm curious whether Alphonse Daudet is a well-known writer in Europe? Are students (at least in France) required to learn his article "The Last Class"? (Here is a trilingual version in France, English & Chinese: http://reto.cn/cgi-bin/forumo-a/luntan.cgi?action=view&id=cina-forumo&img=no&number=4045.cgi&page=220 ).
* Has American people changed their appraisement on Nathan Hale?
* Has French people changed their appraisement on Joan of Arc?
* What's your comment on the movie "Brave Heart"? Something of stereotyped mindset?

Posted by: Adam on October 23, 2009 12:04 PM

Interesting discussion.

A few days ago, my irritation with some aspects of Chinese culture got to the point that I actually entertained the notion that colonialism may have been good for China, and that if it had been more successful, China would be more advanced than it is today. This was the first time that I had ever given that thought any serious consideration, if not the first time that the concept even entered my mind. I was surprised to stumble upon this being discussed in the comments here, and felt that I should throw in my contribution.

Since we Americans like to brag about ourselves , let me begin by saying that colonialism is not widely respected in America. This notion that colonialism may be good for the ones colonized is practically unheard of. I don't know what they teach in the top American and British Universities, since I was born and raised working class, but in the social circles in which I move, colonialism is just considered wrong. I'd be surprised it this was not the dominant opinion in all the western democracies.

Racism is also considered very wrong where I'm from. Although I have found people with racist attitudes in the workplace, they have been the exceptions in my experience. All of my friends and family consider racism as backwards and ignorant - the refuge of the weak and petty. Nationalism is considered just about as bad as racism.

Even though there are laws against discrimination based upon race where I come from, I don't think that the problem of racism is something that you can legislate away. Racism is not just a a criminal action, it is an idea and an attitude.

Racism – the idea – is supported by the premise that everything has unchanging characteristics which are already known. Apply this premise towards people and what you get is racism. What a racist thinks that they “know” about people according to their race is a shallow stereotype based on generalizations formed in the past, which never takes into account the complexity of life in a rapidly changing world. The attitude is “since you are of race X, I know what you are like. Race X has always been this way, and I can't believe that they could ever be different.”

It is this root idea - that the world is known and immutable - which China must overcome before ever hoping to have anything near, say, America's influence on the world stage. Not only because it leads to racism, but it also discourages development. If everything is known and immutable, that squashes natural curiosity and extinguishes the creative spark. Even in areas where new paths are forged, it leaves people timid, unsure that they can succeed by moving forward along the paths that they themselves create. Maybe that is why some Chinese businesses emulate successful western companies to the point of copying their trademarks with only just enough modification to avoid an infringement lawsuit. China is never going to produce world class brands with those sort of practices.

The premise under discussion is that the colonialists brought ideas, methods, and attitudes, which raised the quality of life of the colonies. Social and intellectual assets were offered by the colonists in exchange for resources and labor. Consider this idea dispassionately, without rushing to judge the motives of the colonizers. The colonizers may have had their political, social, and personality faults, especially among the ruling class who had little motive to upset the status quo, but the advantages they had to offer in exchange were the fruit of the scientific method, and that is where the development which they had to share sprang from.

Science destroys the concept of a known and immutable world. It is a process that begins with realizing that we don't know everything, and ends up by incidentally providing material and social benefits. Science changed the shape of the western world before the colonizers “invaded” parts of Asia in the early 20th Century. It is changing the face of the entire planet today.

China's culture and civilization are very old. I heard that my ancestors were still running through the forest when China already had a vibrant civilization. However, life is safer and more fulfilling today for more people than ever before. Most people are trying to move away from what is for the vast majority an unhappy past. That goes for Chinese as well. No one gets a free ride by resting on the laurels of past generations' accomplishments. Ideas and culture everywhere are always open to judgment.

I've seen the attitude among many Chinese that it's China, Chinese culture, and the Chinese people against the world. If you hold onto this belief, I'm afraid that that is what you will manifest. You will interpret situations in such a way as to reinforce that belief, and will be more likely to indulge yourself when opportunities to act upon it arise. If you leave no other role for others to play in their relations with you, and may eventually find yourself the unhappy owner of a “self-fulfilling prophecy”.

I was raised to care about others, regardless of race or nationality, and I still do. But after living here for a couple of years, I've grown tired of much of the closed-mindedness I see in Chinese people. I'm ultimately selfish, just like you, and I seek my own pleasure. I've never enjoyed racism, nationalism or closed-mindedness, so I write to oppose them. I hope that my appeal to your self-interest is effective. I would like to have many more happy social experiences here, without the unpleasantness and awkwardness that excessive concern about race, nationality, and cultural tradition produce. Yeah, I'm selfish, but I don't feel bad about that; I wish you well.

Posted by: Soso on October 23, 2009 5:54 PM

Post your comment

Had a nice dinner at Lapis Thai.

HaPpy BiRtHdAy to U!

Posted by: Michelle on October 18, 2009 10:13 PM

Happy Birthday. It is the same day as my partner's, Robin, 罗彬. He will be so happy to know he shares his birthday with you, because I pass on lots of your blog posts about Shanghai. We are eating birthday cake for breakfast and watching a Chinese
movie and imagining that we are in China. It is raining outside, but our imaginary Chinese world is much sunnier.

Posted by: zjemi on October 18, 2009 11:27 PM

Every year I think for sure I will send you a "Happy Birthday" message before you post about it...and every year (so far) I have missed doing that. Shame on me!

I hope you have a wonderful day, feel well-celebrated, and are able to enjoy many many more such celebrations in the years to come!

Posted by: Carroll on October 19, 2009 2:32 AM

Happy Birthday!

Posted by: lang on October 19, 2009 8:04 AM

Happy birthday.
Though one day later :)

Posted by: cube316 on October 19, 2009 11:57 AM

Live long and prosper.

Posted by: wonton on October 19, 2009 12:24 PM

Happy birthday:)

Posted by: Ray on October 19, 2009 2:27 PM

Happy birthday! Though a little late. ^^

Posted by: Sam on October 19, 2009 6:53 PM

Happy birthday to you!

Posted by: Mike on October 19, 2009 10:24 PM

ha! happy birthday jianshuo! but i'm reading it a day late.

Posted by: shan on October 20, 2009 6:15 AM

:) 生日快乐，建硕，:)

Posted by: cheery on October 20, 2009 7:42 PM

Thanks everyone!

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 20, 2009 10:49 PM

I was reading the website of the restaurant where you celebrated your birthday, to my surprise the restaurant features "French Concession" as a selling point. Since the Shanghai public concession has been abolished since last government, is people today still fond of the past history or they prefer the infrastructures left by the foreigners before the war?

Posted by: stephen on October 20, 2009 11:19 PM

Happy birthday

Posted by: LIDETING on October 21, 2009 7:00 PM

Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!

Posted by: Jenny on October 22, 2009 6:13 AM

Jian Shuo,

I wish I knew it was your birthday, as I was seeing you the day before it. Anyway, happy 33rd.

Best,

David

Posted by: David Lee on October 22, 2009 9:07 AM

Happy Birthday!

Posted by: dincer80 on October 29, 2009 3:34 PM

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1. The SteadyShot feature is amazing. I can take video when I am walking, even running a little bit, but the final result is just like the camera were mounted to a tripod - very clear.
   
2. The 12X zoom is wonderful, and useful.
   
3. The bright image it captures. It is much better than the dark image of Nikon.
   
4. I didn't have any expectation for the software coming with any hardware, but the PMB (Photo Motion Browser) was wonderful, even better than Picasa.
   
5. The nightshot is a must for me - to record Yifan at night when Wendy and I was telling story to him at night
   
6. The camera is relatively small to carry. With CX500E, I don't need to carry cameras at all.
   
7. The big LCD screen and touch screen feature - wonderful
   

If you are still choosing which camcorder to buy, I highly recommend this camera: Sony CX500E.

Here are some sample photos I took with the camera:

Photograph by Jian Shuo Wang with Sony CX500E

Photograph by Jian Shuo Wang with Sony CX500E

Photograph by Jian Shuo Wang with Sony CX500E

Photograph by Jian Shuo Wang with Sony CX500E

Photograph by Jian Shuo Wang with Sony CX500E

P.S. Wendy is interested in Dingcha now.

I am also thinking about buying a camcorder for my incoming baby. It seems to me the equivalent of 500E in the US is Sony Handycam HDR-CX500V. It got good reviews from Amazon. Also, "the date available at Amazon" appeared to be wrong. Could not be April 18, 2005.

I was also debating between Flip and this full fledge handycam. I think my old Canon digital camera could do something Flip does.

Posted by: STLPlace on October 18, 2009 12:13 AM

Yes. In US, it is HDR-CX500V - V means GPS, and E means Europe version.

Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang on October 18, 2009 11:07 AM

how much does it cost?

Posted by: nicen on October 20, 2009 8:46 AM

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