China#

Fashion Police for Police

The drive to polish China’s image before the big Games is pointing its finger at police officers nationwide. New regulations are springing up in order to insure the most presentable officers and the Ministry of Public Security has issued a list of fashion dos and don’ts that also includes behavioral guidelines. Police men and women
can say goodbye to hair dye or lavish styles, as well as beards, sideburns or jewelry.

Kill Bill Again

There is a chance director Quentin Tarantino will return to China to shoot the third and fourth installments of the popular kung fu-inspired action films, “Kill Bill.” Executive producer of the first two films, Bennett Walsh, was quoted at the Shanghai International Film Festival talking about the plots of the upcoming films. “The third film involves the revenge of two killers whose arms and eyes were hacked by Uma Thurma ... the fourth installment concerns a cycle of reprisals and daughters who avenge their mother’s deaths.”

Shanghai

China Blings

Therapists may not prevail in China, but retail therapy, on the other hand, is an undeniably preferred method of coping. Hong Kong and Shanghai are listed in the "Top 10 High Consumption Cities" list as No. 1 and No. 8, according to a recent survey done by global information supplier company, ECA International. The 10 cities, respectively, are Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, Moscow, Seoul, London, Bombay, Shanghai, Caracas and Paris.

Hooked on Shanghainese

Now everyone can try their tongue at Shanghainese with the publication of the first Shanghaidialect dictionary to hit shelves this August. In an attempt to preserve the genuine Shanghai dialect, as Mandarin is so widely accepted, former Shanghai University professor Qian Nairong has compiled 15,000 words and phrases. Using a combination of pinyin and the English alphabet, the dictionary is comprehensive and easy for perusal. Furthermore, software designers are at work inputting the dictionary’s contents into a computer program that should be available for purchase within a year.

Inner Mongolia

Environmental Rock

Put your hands together for the first “Green Flag” Ordos Grassland Rock Festival to be held at Inner Mongolia’s Genghis Khan Tourism Zone. The gala, on July 20-22, will star 21 top Chinese rock bands, including Beyond Band, Wubai, Xuwei, Moyan Sanjie, Tangchao Band and Lingdian Band, all of whom will meet on stage together for the first time. Following the concert will be an assortment of events, such as a dance party, flea market, extreme sports and grassland tour. In an effort to raise attention for the protection of the grassland, the rock stars will lead the “Declare War Against the Desert” campaign.

Tall Tale

Bao Xishun, the world’s tallest man, has finished all but one preparation for his upcoming July 21 wedding. The 7.74 foot man has yet to find a bed that will accommodate his length. After scouring local furniture markets, the media in Inner Mongolia’s Chifeng has urged people to offer up any ideas or solutions.

Sichuan

Hot Air

One hundred and four-year-old Yang Zhangshi and 99- year-old Nie Qinglian, both natives of Sichuan province, were named the world’s oldest hotair balloonists after their recent 30 minute flight. The tea growing colleagues were offered a free hot air balloon flight as part of a PR project to thank the hardworking women who have harvested green tea all their lives. “It was great,” recounts Yang after the sky high ride. “It must be the same as boarding an airplane.”