chinaSMACK » Joe http://www.chinasmack.com Hot internet stories, pictures, & videos in China Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Chinese Netizens Post Silly Petitions on White House Website http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/stories/chinese-netizens-post-silly-petitions-on-white-house-website.html http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/stories/chinese-netizens-post-silly-petitions-on-white-house-website.html#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 02:00:14 +0000 Joe http://www.chinasmack.com/?p=50063

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In the wake of local media censorship over recent protests against the PX Project to construct a chemical plant in Kunming and the decade-old thallium-poisoning case involving Tsinghua student Zhu Ling [see chinaSMACK's translated report here], many Chinese netizens turned to the White House’s We the People petitions website to voice their views.

However, Chinese netizens, true to form, soon began to petition over trivial and outlandish issues such as a “Petition to standardize bean curd jelly in the salty variety” and a“Petition to send troops to liberate Chinese people!” Unfortunately, these petitions only garnered a few hundred signatures, so we may never find out the Obama Administration’s official position regarding salty bean curd.

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Comments on Sina Weibo:

LachesisS：

If we are always like this, America will probably sooner or later start filtering the petitions. Can we please be more serious?

wu–hao：

I prefer the sweet kind…[bean curd jelly]

naro澄：

Anything placed in the hands of Chinese people will be ruined.

老冀de微博：

Reminds me of Google+ sweat

怪盗少女：

After seeing this, apart from laughing, I can only say that after this wouldn’t Zu Ling’s case become a joke, and the petition wasted…

CortexTsai：

I think We the People petitions should forbid non-American citizens or permanent residents from voting.

-黄德仁：

The White House Post Bar [discussion forum] is on the verge of becoming the most popular forum of the year.

贼弱贼弱的halo：

I truly believe society have a lot of bored stupid people, always ruining the order of things.

]]> http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/stories/chinese-netizens-post-silly-petitions-on-white-house-website.html/feed 168 The Story Behind the First Statue of Liberty Built in China http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/stories/the-story-behind-the-first-statue-of-liberty-built-in-china.html http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/stories/the-story-behind-the-first-statue-of-liberty-built-in-china.html#comments Fri, 15 Feb 2013 06:33:48 +0000 Joe http://www.chinasmack.com/?p=47625

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From Sina Blog & VOC:

Huanghuagang’s Statue of Liberty

HUanghuagang Statue of Liberty postage stamp.

The Huanghuagang Martyr Memorial was built to commemorate the martyrs who died in the 1911 Guangzhou uprising led by Sun Yat-sen. The base of the tomb was layered with granite with 4 pavilions housing a stela, one dedicated to the 72 martyrs. Behind the tomb sits a memorial honoring them, on top of the memorial stands a Statue of Liberty figure. The second commemorative stamp as part of the “70th anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution” issued in 1981 contained the picture of the Statue of Liberty at the Huanghuagang Memorial. It has been 90 years since the construction of the Huanghuagang memorial, and with the change of times, the Statue of Liberty on top the memorial also underwent several transformations, bearing witness to a turbulent history of hardship and change.

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Early photo of the statue

In 1918 when the Huanghuagang tomb for the 72 martyrs finished construction, individuals and the overseas Nationalist Party (KMT) branches donated money to build a memorial, and it was completed in 1921. The memorial was piled together with 72 blocks of limestone in the shape of a mountain, representing the 72 martyrs, with every limestone carved with the names of each KMT branch and individual’s name, on the top perched a State of Liberty figure. The horizontal inscription honoring the 72 Martyrs of the Republic was written by the famous revolutionary Zhang Binglin. The earliest Statue of Liberty figure was over 2 meters tall, holding a book in her left hand and a mallet in her right. The exterior was rough, resembling an oval stone, the sculpting not quite refined, with only a few rough lines of decorative designs on her.

Early photo of the staue with two birds at the base

Early photo of the staue with two birds at the base

Why did they erect a Statue of Liberty on top of the memorial? At the time the reason was that erecting a Statue of Liberty symbolized the revolutionary mentality of a nation built upon liberty and equality. The Xinhai Revolution led by revolutionaries under Sun Yat-sen was in essence a democratic revolution opposed to tyranny in the name of the republic. The Statue of Liberty in Paris symbolized liberty and democracy, sharing the same ideals pursued by revolutionaries of its time.

The Statue of Liberty replaced by KMT emblem in the 1930s

The Statue of Liberty replaced by KMT emblem in the 1930s

At the time, there was a Statue of Liberty standing on top of the memorial rather than a KMT emblem, I think this was due to society at the time. Because at the time of the 1911 Guangzhou Uprising the KMT was not yet founded. The KMT was founded on 1912 August 25 which was quickly disbanded by Yuan Shikai. By 1914 July 8, Sun Yat-sen gathered all the KMT revolutionary party members in Japan and declared the “Blue Sky and the White Sun” designed by Lu Haodong as the national and military flag of the Republic of China, but not as the party flag. In 1919, The Chinese Revolutionary parties changed its name to the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) but didn’t establish a Party emblem. So that the designers did not install a KMT party emblem on top the memorial was understandable.

Nationalist China currency showing the KMT emblem on top the memorial

Nationalist China currency showing the KMT emblem on top the memorial

Yet, on top of the Huanghuagang memorial once stood a KMT emblem. That was during the 1936 Xi’an Incident where the the Statue of Liberty was a taboo symbol under the Chiang Kai-shek regime. In early 1937, the Statue of Liberty was forcefully removed by the KMT government and changed to a “Blue Sky and the White Sun” Emblem. It was not until 1949 October after Guangzhou was liberated that the KMT emblem was removed and the Statue of Liberty reinstalled, but the mallet in the statue’s hand was changed to a rifle, said to symbolize fthe famous quote by Mao that “political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

During the Cultural Revolution the statue was replaced by a torch

During the Cultural Revolution the statue was replaced by a torch

All features was removed during the Cultural Revolution

Eventually all features were removed during the Cultural Revolution

During  the chaotic decade of the Cultural Revolution, the Statue of Liberty also suffered as part of the four olds campaign. The Statue of Liberty on top of the memorial was destroyed and replaced by a 2 meter tall torch. Later, the torch also disappeared and nothing remained on top of the memorial and the entire Huanghuagang memorial was deserted. In 1981, the city of Guangzhou invested money for the reconstruction of the Statue of Liberty, it was designed and sculpted by Lin Yuhao. The statue currently on top of the Huanghuagang memorial is 3.4 meters tall and was sculpted from granite; it’s modeled after the Statue of Liberty in Paris and New York with slight modifications to have more Chinese feminine characteristics and presence. The Statue of Liberty holds a book of law in its left hand and a torch in its right, symbolizing democracy, liberty and equality.

Memorial in its present form

Memorial in its present form

The new statue is based on the one in New York with slight modifications

The new statue is based on the one in New York with slight modifications

From Sina Weibo:

@看历史: At Guangzhou’s Huanghuagang Park stands China’s only Statue of Liberty statue. In the beginning she wore a seven ray crown, her right hand held a torch and her left a mallet, at the base of the statue perched two freedom birds; In the 1930s it was replaced by a round “Blue Sky and the White Sun” KMT emblem; it was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution; In 1981 the Statue of Liberty was rebuilt, the mallet became a book to symbolize law, while the two freedom birds at the base were not reinstalled.

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Comments on Sina Weibo:

CharlieZo：

So it turned out freedom only existed before 1949…

漫行散记：

When I visited Huanghuagang, I saw the Statue of Liberty. My first reaction was how did this Statue of Liberty escape the Cultural Revolution. Turns out it was built after the Cultural Revolution.

何书彬：

Now it’s a Statue of Liberty with Chinese characteristics.

心静如水情如水：

I used to play there when I was young. At the time, the torch had smoke coming out of it.

怪物有份美丽：

That freedom bird has already flown away.

硬系觉得个名唔系几够长：

At least it didn’t become a hammer and sickle!

scarleaf：

I was wondering how it could still be there after the Cultural Revolution.

南方围观-成林：

No more freedom now.

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]]> http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/stories/the-story-behind-the-first-statue-of-liberty-built-in-china.html/feed 105 ‘The People’s Republic of Love’: Defining Love in China http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/features/the-peoples-republic-of-love-defining-love-in-china.html http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/features/the-peoples-republic-of-love-defining-love-in-china.html#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2013 03:30:38 +0000 Joe http://www.chinasmack.com/?p=47581

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Hey everyone!

Since the release of our first trailer, we’ve received overwhelming responses from around the world, so first off, thank you all for your support! Second, we just wanted to share our brand new trailer…

About this new trailer…

The People’s Republic of Love is an upcoming documentary that explores the question of how the concept of love is changing across China’s socioeconomic spectrum. We find some unexpected answers by traveling across China to meet a colorful cast of characters that includes matchmakers, dating show contestants, private investigators, government bureaucrats, relationship experts, divorce lawyers, and China’s new “love hunters.”
In our first trailer, we presented some of the more unusual means of finding love in China. In this new trailer, we sought to bring to light some of the traditional customs that are struggling to keep up with modernity. From rural weddings to park matchmaking events, there exist old conventions that prove that the definition of love in both past and present-day China may not actually be so different after all.

Old Chinese granny.

About the Filmmakers

The People’s Republic of Love is written, directed and produced by a team of veteran journalists and media professionals. Director and cameraman Nathan Mauger has shot documentaries for National Geographic and Discovery Channel.
Producers Connie Young and Joe Xu have worked for news and media organizations including CNN, CBS News and NPR, while executive producer Tomas Etzler is a CNN correspondent and Emmy-winning producer.

A Chinese bride in a wedding dress during a wedding photo shoot.

A Chinese wedding couple in traditional wedding costume.

Our documentary is coming soon…

With one week till Valentine’s Day, I want to continue the discussion about “love” in China. What is the definition or concept of “love” in Chinese society? Has it changed from the past? Is it changing? How is it different from other nations, cultures, and societies? Or is it?

]]> http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/features/the-peoples-republic-of-love-defining-love-in-china.html/feed 21 ‘The People’s Republic of Love’, Starring 1.3 Billion People http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/features/the-peoples-republic-of-love-upcoming-documentary.html http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/features/the-peoples-republic-of-love-upcoming-documentary.html#comments Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:41:02 +0000 Joe http://www.chinasmack.com/?p=46937

]]> A Chinese girl sitting on the side of the street holding an umbrella.

Hey everyone…

Some of you might remember me (not pictured above) as a long-time chinaSMACK contributor (see my posts!). I haven’t been around lately and that’s because I’ve been working on this…

About the documentary…

The People’s Republic of Love is a new full-length documentary about love in modern China that touches upon the romantic past and present of 1.3 billion people in the world’s most populous country.

Why are lesbians marrying gay men? How are traditional rural weddings struggling to keep up with modernity? What are these “love-hunters” that rich men are hiring? Why do traditional matchmakers hate the internet? How is the Chinese government helping people find love?

Over the past 6 months, we traveled across China, from the urban jungles of Shanghai to the rural countrysides of Hebei province, in search of the sometimes surprising answers to these questions and more, as well as the social trends behind them, taking viewers on a fast-paced journey to find the meaning of love in a country undergoing rapid change.

The documentary is not yet out but is coming soon. For more information, you can visit the official People’s Republic of Love Facebook page and YouTube channel!

Chinese people on the street.

About the filmmakers…

The People’s Republic of Love is written, directed and produced by a team of veteran journalists and media professionals. Director and camerman Nathan Mauger has shot documentaries for National Geographic and Discovery Channel.
Producers Connie Young and Joe Xu (me!) have worked for news and media organizations including CNN, CBS News and NPR, while executive producer Tomas Etzler is a CNN correspondent and Emmy-winning producer.

A Chinese bride in wedding dress.

The bride and groom at a rural Chinese wedding.

Our documentary isn’t out just yet…

But it will be soon, and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I wanted to start a discussion about all things “love” in China, including dating, marriage, and even infidelity. What have you seen? What have you experienced? What do you think?

]]> http://www.chinasmack.com/2013/features/the-peoples-republic-of-love-upcoming-documentary.html/feed 176 Mark Zuckerberg Appears in CCTV Police Documentary http://www.chinasmack.com/2012/videos/mark-zuckerberg-appears-chinese-police-documentary-cctv.html http://www.chinasmack.com/2012/videos/mark-zuckerberg-appears-chinese-police-documentary-cctv.html#comments Sun, 27 May 2012 12:35:11 +0000 Joe http://www.chinasmack.com/?p=38697

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From Sina Weibo:

@创业家杂志 CCTV recently introduced a documentary titled Chinese Police, 30 seconds into the 4th episode, the founder & CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan appeared as bystanders. By coincidence the subtitle that followed said “Many problems impelled the Chinese police to find way to increase efficiency.” (Zuckerberg visited Shanghai on March 27th with his girlfriend)

Comments on Sina Weibo:

@泷涯-栗子你必须努力：

The head of an illegal foreign website, and they even planted an advertisement for him!

@汴鄭洛：

The police force is inadequate, allowing the head of an illegal foreign website and his lover openly provoke the police behind their backs.

@拉玛小店：

This is definitely to publicly hype China’s police. Even the police know how do publicity stunts these days, haha.

@白宾：

The highest net worth background actor ever.

@小小-keke：

Advertising ploy!!! It can’t be by chance, how can the video producer not know.

@克里那个斯朵夫：

Is this documentary trying to film the police or him?

@和晓一起飞：

This is the prelude to Facebook entering China.

@猴子的尾巴：

This is clearly American imperialists deliberately interfering in our internal affairs.

@nunucrab：

CCAV is very powerful…

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