YOU can’t see the Great Wall of China from space, Chinese astronaut Fei Junlong told students in the city yesterday, perhaps finally killing a myth that has existed for decades. Fei and his companion Nie Haisheng, who were aboard Shenzhou VI during China’s second manned space mission last October, attended the opening ceremony of a space exhibition at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum yesterday. The didn’t talk to the press, but did meet with primary and middle school students to answer some of their questions. “We couldn’t see the Great Wall from space,” Fei said, noting that from space there is little difference between the Great Wall and its surroundings. The Great Wall has long been noted as the only man-made object to be visible from space, despite several American astronauts denying the claim.

Another myth dubunked. I wonder if it was Chinese people who started this myth…

AUTHORITIES in Changning District fined two “coffee clubs” on Wednesday for reportedly selling pirated DVDs. More than 1,200 illegal DVDs were allegedly confiscated from the two stores uring the crackdown, according to officials with the Changning District Cultural Inspection Team. The district cultural product watchdog launched the crackdown against the two stores after receiving tips the cafes were selling pirated DVDs and were frequently visited by foreigners. The stores were located on Zhenning Road and Ronghua Road E. Police said the wo Ke De coffee outlets have license to run coffee shops, but not to sell DVDs. They were warned to stick to the limitations of their business license, though the two stores don’t actually sell coffee at the moment. Police said they would not ignore other pirated DVD stores that operate in the open around the city. The two stores were reportedly very popular with foreigners, which may have made them a target for damaging the city’s eputation. Undercover investigators even found some store attendants could talk some simple English fluently with their foreign customers. The Changning District cultural inspection team said both of the stores had been warned previously about selling illegal DVDs, so they are likely to face a fine of at least 10,000 yuan (US$1,235) this time. The Ke De stores were selling DVDs for about 10 yuan each, about half of the price streetside vendors charge.

So there are dozens of stores that openly sell pirate DVDs, but the police will not shut them down until they become popular with foreigners and damage the city’s reputation… that’s how the law works….

This is good news:

CHINA yesterday issued its first regulation that formally bans the sale of human organs and sets out detailed rules for hospitals performing transplants. The regulation goes into effect on July 1 [..]

I mean, now I can safely have an operation without worrying that they might steal my organs and sell them!! That is, starting from July 1st…

The banking system here in China is not very efficient. There are many restrictions, in fear that scammers would take advantage of it.

For example, wire transfers are not possible. If you need to transfer money from one account to another you need to withdraw cash from one account and deposit it into the other. That’s how we bought our apartment. How stupid is that?!?

Some local credit cards cannot be used in some hotels, even though they are VISA or Mastercard. They are from a local bank, so some hotels just don’t accept them.

There is one good thing about the banking system in Shanghai: banks are open during the weekend. It is thus easy for us to take care of bank business during the weekend.

One of the main benefits of living in China is that everybody can afford a maid. They are called ahyi here. We have one that comes twice a week to help us clean, wash dishes, do laundry, iron etc… The rate is 6RMB per hour.

They even have training courses to become one:

Their housekeeping training courses are a major at Chengdu Radio and Television Junior College in January. The program is combined with month-long classes and two years of practice in major cities.

Courses covered English, manners, western cooking, computer skills, and sociology. The program’s Shanghai associate is the Shanghai Boni Housekeeping Service Company.

Shanghai’s ayi shortage is estimated at 200,000 this year, and for foreign families, the number is around 40,000.

If you live in Shanghai, you won’t need to do housework anymore.