News Links - 11/4/07

[dleedlee]

Brigitte Lin celebrates 53rd birthday Nov. 3rd

http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/h/2007-11-04/15141777266.shtml

At recent film premiere of Tokyo Tower - Mom and I and Sometimes Dad
http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/c/2007-11-02/01391773812.shtml
With friend and former actress Tao Minming

http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/h/2007-11-01/13351772864.shtml

Karen Mok Brings Warmth from Hong Kong

http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/11/03/1301@290818.htm

Jia Zhangke Finally Gets Prize from St. Paul
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/11/04/1221@290921.htm



Zap! Pow! Batman hit by Hong Kong pollution
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iaY ... imo4Rekf6Q
Holy polluted Hong Kong harbour, Batman!
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_new ... ?id=123267
Hong Kong's harbor too polluted for Batman swimming stunt
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/ ... Batman.php

Film in Shanghai subway blends art, ads
Huang Xiao Ming stars in Starbucks and Pepsi venture "A Sunny Day"
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_7366839

Miriam Yeung Denies Dating Rumours, Gillian suprised on street
http://www.batgwa.com/story.php?id=195

Made in China: Bollywood
http://shanghaiist.com/2007/11/03/made_in_china_b.php
In Made In China, Akshay Kumar stars as Sidhu, a lowly Mumbai cook who is mistaken for a Martial arts hero.
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom ... 76,00.html

AFM panel talks Hong Kong
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797 ... Id=19&cs=1

Singapore: Chinese street opera struggles to keep curtain raised
http://dailynews.muzi.com/news/ll/engli ... 3379.shtml

Jay Chou Promotes New Album
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/11/04/1261@291007.htm

S.H.E Celebrates Selina's 26th Birthday
http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/11/03/1301@290821.htm

Singing Twins in Wedding Gowns

http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/11/04/1221@290883.htm

Stone-Studded Folding Screen Shows Love Story of Third Sister Liu
http://english.cri.cn/3100/2007/11/04/902@290873.htm

[Brian Thibodeau]

Safe To Eat?

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/s ... ?hub=WFive

Investigation into companies that source ingredients from China, but claim "Made In Canada" or "Made In USA" on the packaging. This is an episode of a Canadian news program called W5 (sort of like Dateline, though generally less sensationalistic). The article only covers part of what's in the episode itself, which can be viewed in two parts from the links on the right side of the page. So much for "reading the labels..."

But the connection to China isn't always obvious to the average consumer. Much of what's in Canadian kitchens -- such as cereals and apple juice -- sold as "Product of Canada" or "Product of the U.S." is processed in China or contain ingredients from China.

Under Canadian law, the ingredients can come from anywhere in the world and still get a "Product of Canada" label. That's because "Product of Canada" only means that at least 51 per cent of manufacturing costs were incurred in Canada.

[dleedlee]

Investigation into companies that source ingredients from China, but claim "Made In Canada" or "Made In USA" on the packaging. This is an episode of a Canadian news program called W5 (sort of like Dateline, though generally less sensationalistic). The article only covers part of what's in the episode itself, which can be viewed in two parts from the links on the right side of the page. So much for "reading the labels

I'm over at the parents' house this weekend and I'm eating some Chinese sesame seed snack crackers. I ask them "where are they from, Taiwan?" Mom says,"Who knows. No matter what the label says, it's probably China." Sure enough, there's no 'Made in x' printed anywhere on the package or any manufacturer/factory name even though there's plenty of English on the package. A sticker obscures something underneath one section on the bag but I can't see what it is. Oh well, at least it tasted good.

Stick to North American made tainted food:

Cargill Recalls 1 Million Pounds of Beef
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hufn ... gD8SMJ4U80
Producers slam tougher U.S. tests for Canadian meat, poultry
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... y/National
Frozen pizza recalled over e-coli contamination
http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermon ... amination/

[Brian Thibodeau]

Mom says,"Who knows. No matter what the label says, it's probably China."

And in spite of it all, guess where I bought my groceries this week? T&T Supermarket, the very chain referenced in the story! Heck, probably half of what I bought was made in China! Or at least nearby. Some things are worth a little risk . . . I think. Mind you, I'm not one for frozen filet o' whatever, so I'm generally safe from malachite green. Oh . . . excuse me . . . gotta wipe this bit of foam from around my mouth . . . had a hamburger earlier.

I think one big problem with all this "from China" hullabaloo—and the W5 story mentions it repeatedly—is the lax importation, testing and packaging standards of the North American companies. The problems might originate in China, but the responsibility should reside with the corporations for trying to cut corners, and the public to a lesser degree for demanding the lowest price for everything. If the U.S. can impose stricter rules on Canadian beef (the maddest beef in the world, by the way), they should probably tighten standards on every food product or ingredient coming into the country, but as the government guy says in the W5 piece, it often boils down to a lack of manpower and a governments that are far too content to reassure the public that everything's okay.

But now where am I gonna get my Jeno's fix? Gee, thanks, Dennis...

[dleedlee]

is the lax importation, testing and packaging standards of the North American companies.

Yeah, we'd probaby have to raise taxes to increase Federal inspections.

It's the whole WalMart effect. Bottom line, American consumers want the cheapest prices, yet turnaround and complain about shoddy electronics and other goods, dangerous food/toys and outsourced customer service centers. No wonder that the trade deficit with China is so enormous.

US-China trade balance:
2007,2006,2005

And now the maker of Peeps (Peeps!) is outsourcing its Scary Friends candy manufacturing to China. Scary indeed. Tell me punk, do you feel lucky?
http://washingtontimes.com/article/2007 ... 10046/1006