The sunflower is a symbol of friendship

Olympic 3-wheelmotion.
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Got a request for a pic of the world famous China squat, of which I haven't actually seen that much since I've been here. I am wondering if this paucity of squatting relates to the public education campaign--in preparation for the Olympics--telling Chinese people not to spit on the streets (among other things). Personally, I think squatting is kind of cool, because it's like you can just chill anywhere, like fock it I'm just going to max right here.


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In addition to Hong Kong (see previous "1 of 5" post), I am finding there are also a lot of Chinese people in mainland China, like at the Xizhimen* subway station here in Beijing.

*Sounds like that song, "Chi Chi Mon." To me at least.


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OK, for those of you who didn't get the memo, it is officially the Year of China in Russia. Last year it was the Year of Russia in China. Get it? Recently I saw a fascinating TV program at my apt on the CC-TV9, the one and only English channel, and it sure was a doozie.

Let me provide a little context. The guy on the right is the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister. Or maybe the Russian ambassador to China. I don't remember exactly. In any case what's important is to recognize his contagious cheerfulness in contrast to the Chinese TV host. It was like he was waiting all week just to be on this show!

On this episode, they were apparently working on a book project to strengthen ties between Russia and China. By the time I got the wherewithal to document this TV magic, the conversation had turned to ideas for a book cover.




My favorite exchange:

"So do you have any idea perhaps for our cover art?"

"Yup. I would rather focus on the contents of the book..." [Zinger]