The Nanfang / Blog

Bye ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, China Is Starting Something Much More Fun

Posted: 08/27/2014 6:45 pm

strip challenge ShenzhenThe ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is continuing to fill up everyone’s Facebook feeds these days, but some people in China have already had enough.

A group of young men and women from a Shenzhen-based financial company stripped down to their underwear and bathing suits as a way to protest the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, something they consider to be a waste of resources.strip challenge Shenzhen

Photographed at the company’s headquarters on August 26, the group is seen with a sign behind them:

Partake in the strip challenge, boycott the ice bucket challenge; conserving and being thrifty is the right way to show your love

ALS, the rare disease known in Chinese as the “gradually getting still syndrome”, is not mentioned in this protest.

While these people are technically still wearing clothes, they are technically as naked as Chinese decorum will allow them to be. We’ll just have to wait to see if the “strip challenge” catches on as the best new way to raise donations and awareness for ALS.

strip challenge Shenzhenstrip challenge Shenzhenstrip challenge Shenzhen

Photos: China News Via YCWB

Haohao

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Goes Viral Among Chinese Celebrities

Posted: 08/20/2014 7:06 pm

ice bucket challenge zhang ziyiMemes that spread internationally are often slower in coming to China — Gangnam Style, planking and coning come to mind, just to name a few. However, Chinese celebrity power has ensured that the ALS ice bucket challenge is a trending topic on the Chinese internet.

So far, the ice bucket challenge has been most prominent among Chinese technology leaders, perhaps due to the campaign’s involvement of Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Tim Cook and other US tech stars. Those having participated in the challenge include Victor Koo of Youku, Zhou Hongyi of Qihoo 360, Lei Jun of Xiaomi, and Pet Lau of OnePlus.

But that was last week. Now, Chinese celebrities can’t wait to be called upon to take part in the challenge. Here’s a list of famous Chinese celebrities who have taken part in the ALS ice bucket challenge so far:

Zhang Ziyi, who had a news story written about her challenge:

Andy Lau, speaking in both Mandarin and Cantonese, performs his challenge on top of a building:

Donnie Yen speaks English during his challenge:

Jay Chou:

Wang Lee-hom, in the spotlight:

Joey Yung, who has Spider-Man help her for her challenge:

And Charlene Choi, whose elaborate video features music and graphics:

What is most notable is the showmanship. Each celebrity tries to outdo the previous one through better production values, shot locations, and camera techniques.

The ALS ice bucket challenge actually started nine months ago, but recently came to prominence through the efforts of US golfer Chris Kennedy. The goal of the challenge is to raise funds and awareness for ALS, (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

People who accept the challenge agree to have cold water poured onto their heads, after which they nominate others to take the challenge within a day. Those who turn down the challenge are asked to contribute at least US$100 to the ALS Foundation.

Photo: Xinhua

Haohao

Yao Ming’s NBA All Star Charity Basketball Game Set For Dongguan

Posted: 07/18/2014 4:21 pm

yaoming dongguanThe 2014 Yao Ming Charitable Basketball Foundation basketball all-star game will be held for the first time in Dongguan, reports the Dongguan Times. Yao Ming made the announcement yesterday after meeting with Dongguan officials, a city described in the report as the Chinese ”capital of basketball”.

NBA players tentatively named to appear at game to be held on August 31 include Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, George Hill of the Indiana Pacers, and Shane Battier who recently retired from the Miami Heat. CBA players to participate in the match include Yi Jianlian, Zhou Peng, Li Muhao, and Sun Tonglin.

Proceeds from the game will benefit the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season, a charity with the purpose of aiding underprivileged children through sports.

This will be the first time the charity basketball game will be held outside of Beijing. It was held three times previously in 2007, 2010 and 2013.

Yao Ming expressed his wish that sports could become more of a part of people’s lives in China. Yao also took the time to criticize the current state of basketball in the country as being a top-heavy pyramid with resources provided to the national team, but none to local teams.

“The national team is the big head, while the training system is a small figure. This is unsustainable, Yao said.

Dongguan was originally going to host Jeremy Lin on his China basketball tour this summer before he was forced to cancel and return to the USA in order to sign with the LA Lakers.

yaoming dongguan

Photos: Dongguan Times

Haohao

Chen Guangbiao Says Homeless American Rejected Cash Fearing US Chengguan

Posted: 07/3/2014 9:55 am

chen guangbiao new york city philanthropyBillionaire tycoon and self-styled philanthropist Chen Guangbiao recently came back from a trip to New York where, among other things, Chen handed out cash for free and treated hundreds of homeless people to lunch. Critics labeled the visit a PR stunt, and now more details are surfacing about the visit.

chen guangbiao new york city philanthropy

Tuesday morning, after returning to China, Chen Guangbiao visited the grave of Lei Feng, a person revered by Chinese people because he epitomizes the highest possible morals and achievements that a Chinese person can hold. As Chen kowtowed and offered flowers, he laid down a copy of the New York Times that told of his great deeds performed in New York, reported Sina Finance.

Chen said he wanted to report his good deeds to Lei Feng, and show how his philanthropy had made headlines worldwide. But even Chen admits his mention in the New York Times was due to an advertisement that he personally paid for.

chen guangbiao new york city philanthropy

Chen said the goal of his US visit was to spread the teachings of Lei Feng to Americans; things like the importance of being industrious, hardworking, selfless, and patriotic. He even stressed how seriously he took his kowtowing at Lei Feng’s tomb:

I gave Uncle Lei Feng three bows of the head. Each of my kowtows were heavy blows to my head. If you were standing next to me as I did it, you could hear me banging my head. Bang! Bang! BANG!

READ: Unable to Buy the New York Times, Chen Guangbiao to Treat New Yorkers

Chen then went on to call his New York trip 90% successful since he was able to achieve all of his goals:

I brought the virtue of the Chinese people to the USA and was able to change the image of the wealthy Chinese person. Also, I was able to express my opinion on the transformation of the Chinese economy, and that the Chinese economy will not breakdown. I was also able to treat the homeless to lunch, and so was able to introduce the spirit of Lei Feng to US citizens.

Those unfamiliar with Chen’s goals can read about them in his New York Times ad.

chen guangbiao new york city philanthropy

But not everything went according to plan. Chen explained why his planned lunch for 1,000 homeless people had to be scaled back to 250 at the last minute:

That’s because the NYC police would not allow it, and so we had to cancel it. I originally wanted to hold it in restaurant of the boathouse of Central Park with 300 people inside, and 700 people outside on the lawn. However, NYCPD was afraid something would happen and didn’t let us hold a banquet on the lawn.

Chen had also promised to give homeless Americans $300 each, but decided against it after strong objections in the US. He said despite not handing out the money, he didn’t break his promise:

I’ve already honored my commitment. I’ve given the money that was going to go to the 700 people to two homeless shelters. However, they don’t want to announce it to the public, and so I’ve honored their intentions. $210,000, I verify that I’ve honored my committment, and I have the receipt to prove it.

Vice reports that the homeless shelter that received the donation has been named, and it’s the same shelter that was hosting the event in the first place: the New York City Rescue Mission.

chen guangbiao new york city philanthropyBut perhaps the most humiliating moment was when Chen was rejected when trying to give money away. Chen explains:

This is a misunderstanding of the media. Many reporters were constantly following me. Right in front of the homeless shelter, I saw a vendor who was blowing bubbles and selling backpacks. I wanted to purchase something in order to help him. I bowed, and offered a hundred dollar bill with both of my hands. I said, I want to buy something from you, please keep the change. My translator translated this for him. However, because he saw so many reporters, so many cameras pointed his way, he probably thought that the chengguan (city management enforcement workers in China) were out to capture him, and so he left. There are chengguan in the USA as well. He wasn’t a homeless man, everyone there at the scene knew this. However, the media made this rumor afterwards saying that I had been rejected by a homeless person.

chen guangbiao new york city philanthropy

Unfortunately for the homeless people who still want to take Chen Guangbiao up on a raincheck, he won’t be going back to the USA anytime soon to perform his acts of charity. Rather, Chen now has his sights set on Africa.

Photo: Global Times, QQ, Sina Finance, NY Post

Haohao

Shenzhen Weekend: Drum N’ Bass, Ultimate Frisbee, Anniversary Party, and Open Mic

Posted: 06/5/2014 4:00 pm

Let’s hope the weather stays nice as it has been for the last few days. Not too humid, not too rainy.

Here’s what’s happening this weekend in Shenzhen:

June 5th – Thursday Frisbee Throwing Training by the SZUPA – The SZUPA is an organization with the goal of spreading the sport of ultimate frisbee to Shenzhen and China. Join them Thursdays if you’d like to learn the basics of throwing and catching a disc.

June 5th – Argentine Tango Party (Milonga in Sports Bar) – Spend the night dancing with girls eager to find a dance partner. Come with a partner or find one there. It’s time to tango!

June 5th – Raps Open Mic Night – One of the liveliest open mics in town that runs late into the night. Great for blowing off some steam.

June 6th – The Village Bar & Grill 4 Year Anniversary Party – The Village Bar & Grill will be offering great food deals and great live music to commemorate four years of being open. If you’re in the area, check it out.

June 6th - MUZIK BOX LAUNCH PARTY featuring MIZ KISHI (UK) – Friday night marks the beginning of Muzik BoX in Shenzhen. Lots of local DJs will be performing in the line up that includes Miz Kishi, an English DJ visiting from HK. Expect lots of Drum N Bass. And what’s the biggest selling point to me? Mario Kart and Street Fighter on the SNES. 10% of all proceeds go towards the Bonfire Heart Charity Bike Ride to India.

June 8th - Ultimate Frisbee in Futian –  The meet will take place on Sunday 2:00pm at Lianhua Middle School, and then food and drinks will be had at Frankies American Bar

If you attend any of these events, please email me at [email protected] and we may include some of your reviews in a future post. Let’s keep your event organizers working to provide better and better events!

Editor’s Note: We’re looking for dining and nightlife writers in Guangzhou and Dongguan. If you’re interested, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

Haohao

Shenzhen Weekend: Jungle Rave, Beer Bus, Tomorrow Music Festival, and Bonfire Heart Charity UPDATED

Posted: 05/8/2014 2:30 pm

Shenzhen has been a bit wet recently, but the weekend is full of fun events to lift your mood. Here’s what’s happening:

May 1st-18th – Step into spring with free Uber rides for UberOCT‏ - This deal from Uber gets you two free rides to OCT Harbor and access to over 30 food and wine venues, all of which are giving away discounts and deals.

May 8th – Thursday Frisbee Throwing Training by the SZUPA – Join the SZUPA Thursdays if you’d like to learn the basics of throwing and catching a frisbee.

May 8th – Bonaparte at 1st Tomorrow Festival – From the sound of it, European band Bonaparte is one crazy band that puts on a very entertaining show.

May 8th - Rapscallions Open Mic Bonfire Heart Special Edition – Come support an Estonian girl named Kaisa Ansper who will be biking from here to India to support two charities under the umbrella of Bonfire Heart. A glass of Vedett White is only 30RMB and all proceeds go to the charity.

May 9th – Author Robert Kiely’s “The Book that Could NOT Be Written” Book Launch – Explore this book about leadership based on 20 years experience in the field of management and leadership.

May 9th - 李带菓 Li Daiguo / Bachi Da Pietra 石头虫 at 1st Tomorrow Festival – If traditional and experimental music interests you, you may really enjoy Li Daiguo’s improvisational talent.

May 9th - Luohu Beer Party Bus to M1 In Club – Ride a free party beer bus leaving from coco park and arriving to the new M1 In Club. Free Playboy beer on the bus and great deals once you get to M1 In Club.

May 10th - The Real Deal Presents: Go Green – Jungle Rave – The Real Deal Inc. bring you another Rave, this time in an awesome abandoned building set in the “Jungle”. Sounds like the event of the weekend.

May 10th - 马木尔 Mamer / Ruins Alone 吉田达也 at 1st Tomorrow Festival – Come experience the contemporary music stylings of Mamer this Saturday as the Tomorrow Festival continues.

May 10th - 1st Shenzhen Volleyball tournament – If you like volleyball, the first tournament I’ve heard of in Shenzhen will be happening this Saturday. Go Shenzhen Lobsters!

May 11th - Ultimate Frisbee in Futian –  Taking place at Lianhua Middle School, and then food and drinks will be had at Frankies American BarThe SZUPA meet every Sunday to play Ultimate Frisbee.

If you attend any of these events, please email me at [email protected] and we may include some of your reviews in a future post. Let’s keep your event organizers working to provide better and better events!

Editor’s Note: We’re looking for dining and nightlife writers in Guangzhou and Dongguan. If you’re interested, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

Photo: Facebook

Haohao

PRD News Brief: Automated Airport Check-In, End of Dadadi Market, Knife Attack

Posted: 04/24/2014 5:57 pm

auto baggage check in airport baiyun Guangzhou

The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is now offering passengers the option of using a unified automated check-in system. Passengers can now check-in their luggage and receive their boarding passes without any messy or ineffectual human interaction.

There are about 50,000 domestic workers in Shenzhen working in a mostly unregulated market, and the demand by middle-class families is increasing. Usually entering China via Hong Kong, these workers that mainly originate from the Philippines and Indonesia are now being brought over directly from their home countries because it is easier to bring these people are “more honest and hard-working”.

dadadi market guangzhou

April 21 marked the very last day of the Dadadi Market, a stalwart Guangzhou institution for cheap bargains. Now closed, the management intends to move the market to another location on Longjian Street, but negotiations have not yet produced any results, something to do with trying to haggle down the price, we think.

China’s first court to specifically deal with intellectual property right disputes will be set in Guangdong province. Last year, there were 88,286 such civil cases. If successful, we may see this pilot program be copied throughout other parts of China.

Numbered in the tens of thousands and having spread to nearby Jiangsu Province, the Yue Yuan shoe factory strike ratcheted up tensions with the detention and disappearance of two labor activistsZhang Zhiru and Lin Dong.

The Guangzhou anti-graft commission has finally responded to charges of corruption by saying that it has “never made a mistake in any of its cases“. A March 28 trial of Dai Yuqing, former head of Guangzhou Daily Group, saw Dai hurl accusations of corruption against Wang Xiaoling, the head of the city’s anti-graft authority; furthermore, Dai had withdrew his confession, an unheard of act in China law.

Two hostages were released safe after a knife attack in Shenzhen in which police subdued the suspect, Wu, during hostage negotiations.

Tragedy in Shiling County near the City of Zhanjiang: father Qiu Jifeng dies suddenly at work on April 14 just weeks after his 5 year-old daughter Wenwen was crushed to death by a falling wall at the Tangjia Elementary School On March 28.

Guangzhou plans to construct 2,500 new digital libraries in three years time. They will be located in neighborhoods across the city and join the 50 prototype models already in use.

The third annual Asian Student Supercomputer Challenge (ASC14) is set to take place in Guangzhou. $29K in prize money will be awarded to one of the sixteen competing university-backed teams that are able to build a system and code like a svelte cheetah.

The Kidz with Heart Mini Olympics will have 250 participants involved in the May 10 Shenzhen fundraiser organized by Captivating International, a anti-poverty charity.

Photo: Nanfang Daily

Haohao

Shenzhen this weekend: Phillipines Charity Concert, Kenny G, Rap Battles and more

Posted: 11/21/2013 2:48 pm

A very musical weekend is in store for those of you in Shenzhen. Here’s what’s happening:

Nov. 21st – Learn to throw a frisbee by the SZUPA – The SZUPA aims to spread the sport of ultimate frisbee to Shenzhen and China. Members meet weekly for many activities related to the sport as well as social activities to reach out to the Shenzhen Community. Join tonight if you’d like to learn the basics of throwing and catching a frisbee.

Nov. 22nd - Opening Ceremony for the 6th European Union Film FestivalThe European Chamber offers up their film festival here in Shenzhen. Sneak in some wine and cheese and enjoy over a week of movies in a real movie theatre.

Nov. 22nd – Kenny G 2013 China Tour in Shenzhen – Kenny G is back again this weekend performing many of everyone’s favourite elevator songs. It will be a big event as he is loved here!

Nov. 23rd – Iron Mic Rapper Battle @ B10 Live – Should be interesting. This is a hip hop battle but in Chinese. Something different to experience in Shenzhen.

Nov. 23rd – Bonaparte @ Brown Sugar Jar – Come see a Berlin-based electronic band headed by Swiss songwriter Tobias Jundt and about 20 other performers rock out at Che Gong Miao’s best joint for live music, Brown Sugar Jar.

Nov. 23rd - Planet Factory Improv Comedy Show! – The Planet Factory is a group of expats and Chinese guys from around the city that meet once a month for Improv Comedy.

Nov. 24th - Philippine’s Charity Concert – Seven bands from around the city will be out in X-Ta-Sea bar in the Ming Hua ship to raise money for the victim’s of Typhoon Haiyan. It should be a really good time that will help lots of people.

Nov. 24th – Sunday Ultimate Frisbee by the SZUPA – Join a growing group of expats and local Chinese players play the fast growing international sport: Ultimate.

And finally, if you’re around and want to meet the team behind The Nanfang, swing by Rapscallions around 8pm on Saturday night. We’ll be there hosting drinks and chatting with readers. Hope to see you there!

If you attend any of these events, please email me at [email protected] and we may include some of your reviews in a future post. Let’s keep your event organizers working to provide better and better events!

(Editor’s Note: We’re looking for dining and nightlife writers in Guangzhou and Dongguan. If you’re interested, please get in touch with us at [email protected])

Haohao

Donate to the Philippines… Here’s how

Posted: 11/14/2013 9:42 pm

There has been so much devastation in the Phillipines from both tropical storms (Super Typhoon Haiyan) and earthquakes. Some people would like to help out but don’t know how. Here is your opportunity.

Tonight at Rapscallions you can bring your old shirts, shoes, hats, and canned goods to give to either Shenzhen Local Music or put in the Donation Box from the Filipino Community.

St. Anthony’s Church will also have a donation box. The church is located on Nonglin Lu next to Sam’s Club. Another location to drop off goods are McCawley’s in Futian and Trainspotting in Shekou.

The Filipino community is also throwing an event this Sunday at Luna Bar. It is a buffet Dinner for 100RMB called “Dine for a Cause”. The proceeds will go to the typhoon victims in Tacloban City and Leyte.

Haohao

Maybe this is why people are reluctant to donate to charity? Shenzhen family scammed

Posted: 03/11/2013 10:30 am

A Shenzhen family which had been sponsoring a boy in an impoverished village since 1993 has discovered that the boy received no more than 10% of what they had been sending to him, Shenzhen Satellite Television reports. The family was kept so in the dark that they thought the child they sponsored, in Jiangxi Province’s Jinggangshan, was female.

At least four people were taking a cut of what the family was donating, in what could be the biggest scandal related to a Chinese charity since Guo Meimei took to the internet in 2011 to talk about how rich she had got while being associated with the Chinese Red Cross.

For two decades, the family had been donating at least 400 yuan a year to Chen Qiaoxi (a female sounding name), who was a primary school student when they started. In 2011, Chen came to Guangdong to find a job, which was when they discovered that he was a male.

Chen Chubi, the mother of the sponsoring family, told reporters of her surprise when she discovered that Chen had received no more than 40 yuan a year from the family.

Chen Xiaoqi, who now works in Zhongshan, said he had received donations from several families in Shenzhen while growing up, but no individual donation amounted to more than 40 yuan a year.

Yuan Yanting tells reporters of her disappointment.

A reporter from Information Daily in Jiangxi Province told media that his paper was leading an investigation into where the donated money was going.

Yuan Yanting, daughter of Chen Chubi, said she was disappointed but would continue to donate to charities after verifying their credibility.

Haohao
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