May 4th – killer traffic – mad drivers

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

I had just finished my workout at PowerHouse Gym, between Swissotel and Fuhua Building and passed through Dongzhong Street, in the back (east side) of those buildings. Time: about 18:30.

click to enlarge click to enlarge

I ran straight into a major traffic accident that just happened – people were lying on the street and the police and ambulance had not arrived yet.

click to enlarge click to enlarge

As far as I could understand, workers had finished work (yup, during the Golden Week Holidays, Beijing actually never stops), were crossing that “quiet” street and were moved down by a speeding black Audi. I saw three workers lying at great distance from each other in the middle of the street (the pics show only two), shoes everywhere. They were a bit bloodied but not too badly injured. The fourth victim was behind the Audi, unconscious and probably not that great – the Audi was badly damaged at the front, lifting the poor guy up – he smashed into the front windshield that was completely hollowed out.
The Audi did not leave any brake marks on the road and apparently stopped only by crashing into a parked car.
I could not figure out what really happened as the 4 workers were all so far from each other and shoes in between. Clearly the Audi must have been speeding like crazy in that small street to create such a carnage. I think the driver ran away…
Welcome to Beijing. The drivers are becoming really worse, dangerous and have zero regard for others.
Now you know why I still did not use my driver’s license. Saves carbon emissions and also my nerves.
(pics taken with my mobile, in the late evening, so quality is soso)

The Greatwell Red Wine has arrived!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

(edited 7 May)
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the latest addition to the wide range of Chinese reds, a Cabernet from 1996 that I discovered in my home (one more gift from some Chinese friend). Admire the GREATWELL.

click to enlarge click to enlarge

I am not a specialist but I have the wild guess this is a nice copy of the GREATWALL Wine Company, one of the 2008 Olympic Suppliers. And probably not from 1996. I hope the well is clean at least.
Chinese copy even more other Chinese brands then foreign brands… What not all foreigners realize…
I’ll let you know more after opening the bottle.

click to enlarge click to enlarge

That is how the real Greatwall Wine looks like…

The Mongolia Marathon – I take the challenge!

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

Despite all good advice from family and others, I decided to join the very challenging “Mongolia Marathon”, that will take place in Mongolia on 4 July 2007. Well, at least I “only” run the Marathon. The other choice is the 100 Km. The circuit is very hard:
The event course follows a lakeside single track north of Camp Toilogt through woods and over windblown lowlands for the first 12 Km. You run in the dark, in a forest – the start is at 4:30 am. Runners (grand total maybe 60 or 70?) need their own flashlight to try to find the track. Temperature in 2005 was 2C at the start. In the next 5 Km, the course departs the lake (altitude 1650 meters) and heads up over 700 meters into the mountains to spectacular views and 2,300 meter Chichee Pass.
That’s not the only mountain in the circuit… Later in the day, temperature can go up to 30C. Or it can rain…
One also needs to carry a substantial survival kit:
Band-aid & disinfectant (open wounds, blisters) – Elastic band (sprained ankle/knee) – Antiseptic wound cream for sores – Muscle relaxant, chili plaster or poultice in case of stiff neck, pinched nerves or injured muscles – vitamin C and other cold medicine – stomach medicine (diarrhea) – your preferred pain killer/aspirin – Rain proof gear for top and bottom – One emergency blanket – One whistle, one note pad and 2 small plastic bags – Emergency food: one bar of Swiss military chocolate – The course map and profile – Compass – One scarf of your own (100 x 30 cm approximately) or equivalent cloth (useful also as a bandage or splint) – Your own liquid containers with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters – Water disinfecting tablets.
Some of those are provided by the organizers.
The organizers have a nice website, see: Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (www.ultramongolia.com)
Wish me luck… Two months of hard training ahead.

China’s growing power: a threat? Growing for sure

Posted on by Gilbert Van Kerckhove

See here part of an article (Associated Press – SCMP) dated 3 May:
quote
Congress blasts Beijing across a broad front
House hears critics’ testimony on mainland’s military budget, abortion policy and diplomacy.
US Congress members have attacked the mainland on a range of issues, criticising Beijing’s test of an anti-satellite weapon, military build-up, policy on forced abortion, support of ruthless regimes, and repatriation of North Korean refugees in violation of international law.
At a House foreign affairs committee hearing, lawmakers repeatedly expressed concern over Beijing’s suitability to host the 2008 Olympics.
“If ever there was a time for China to get its house in order, this is it,” said committee chairman Tom Lantos, a Democrat.
Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican and critic of Beijing, noted that the US had played a significant role giving the mainland the wherewithal to become a military power because of its robust US-bound exports.
“We have built up a Frankenstein that now threatens us,” Mr. Rohrabacher said.
Unquote
So, our U.S. friends are getting nervous and want to urge all to get China in line with their own ideology.
It’s not that what they criticize about China is wrong as such. Problem is, the USA has lost most credibility in preaching. Their track record has become too bad and the only hope is their incompetent government will change for the better in the near future.
As for the role played by the “U.S. capitalists” to make China rich, they are absolutely right. Thanks to the big MNC who use China as their cheap production base, to flood the USA with cheap goods through Wal-Mart and others, kill local manufacturers and make a big profit for themselves. At least consumers are happy over there to buy all the cheap stuff and have their credits needs satisfied thanks to China’s support of the USA financial system.
In the meantime, China’s development continues unabated. Many economists now count the days China will be the world’s top exporter, overtaking in the next two years soon the USA and Germany. Exports would then be around US$ 1.4 trillion and total trade US$ 2.5 trillion.
Part of that export will be luxury brands. Within two years 60% of the world’s top brands will be Made in China.
As for the average per-capita oil consumption in China: scary figures. In 2005 it stood at 242 Kg against 2,722 in the USA and 1,724 in Japan. Just imagine Chinese double their consumption (then still only 20% of the USA figure). Comments are superfluous.
While China has a lot of house cleaning to do, more is going on then people abroad realize. The anti-corruption drive continues and I expect some further top-level “cleaning” this very year. Keep your eyes open. Investigations continue discreetly. Needed, really. Official sources say close to US$ 400 million of social security funds cannot be “properly accounted for”. Probably just one small example of the “irregularities”.