This is Beijing-Beijing English blog

According to Chinanews.com, there are still uncertainties about the CCTV building fire, but one thing that is sure is that it has created an enormous financial burden.

The new CCTV site, formally started in May 2005 based on a Rotterdam-based OMA design, involved a total budget of about US $730 million. Opinions differ widely as to the extent of the loss: one architect has estimated that it is likely to reach US $ 85 to 100 million, excluding some shops inside the building and 241 five-star standard rooms.

“The worst-case scenario will require the removal of the entire building with a loss of 100 percent of the investment,” Says Yan Peiyu, a Tsinghua University Professor.

The building is covered by a “total construction insurance” contract provided by PICC until June this year, according to PICC (The People’s Insurance Company of China).

Sun Qixiang, Vice-President of the Economic Institute of Peking University, believes that the insurance coverage will depend on the content of the contract. If the cause of the blaze should indeed turn out to be the lighting of fireworks, the question will then turn on whether this is an excluded activity. An insurance contract always contains rules on certain responsibilities and exclusions, and PICC would not pay up if there has been any infringement of these rules.

In the “whole insurance for construction” contract, it is stipulated that “PICC can refuse a claim if the loss and responsibility is caused by guaranteed person’s intentional act or gross negligence”.

Officials from the Chaoyang branch of PICC said that firstly it remains uncertain whether lighting fireworks is against the law or not, and secondly, any official statement on payment of reparations would have to come from Head Office. PICC Head Office and its branches have made no formal statement, simply directing any enquiries to the information on the official website.

In the context of Monday night’s massive fire that caused one death and seven injuries, regulations say that fireworks should only be ignited by professionals after making the appropriate application to the police, which the person accused of causing the blaze did not do.

Regulations further state that it is forbidden to ignite fireworks in the vicinity of sites where flammable or explosive materials are stored, or sites carrying a major fire risk. Again, the person accused of causing the blaze failed to respect these rules by igniting the fireworks on the construction site.

After the incident, Xu Wei, who was in charge of civil construction on the new CCTV site in eastern Beijing’s central business district, was detained. Beijing police also collected video evidence – four cameras were on location to shoot the display. There was also a police presence, but the officers on site were unable to prevent the catastrophe.

Unemployed college graduates who hold a Beijing hukou or permanent residence permit will receive at least one job offer by suitable employers in the coming month amid the global economic slowdown, the municipal bureau of personnel said yesterday.

Job seekers will have to register at related departments in Beijing’s 18 districts and counties, who will match them with employers, Lu Lin, director of the bureau’s college graduate employment department, told a work conference.

At least 210,000 local college graduates are expected to enter the job market this year, 14,000 more than last year, figures from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission show. Of these, more than 90,000 will hold the Beijing hukou.

Related government departments should also step up measures to encourage enterprises to recruit more college graduates, Lu added.

“If the district or county does not have a suitable position to match the graduates, the authorities should recommend the graduates to other districts or counties,” the official said.

Authorities will also provide career counseling and training for the graduates, with additional support given to those with physical disabilities or those majoring in subjects considered less popular with employers, said Lu.

Beijing authorities will offer 80,000 job vacancies for graduates through 150 career fairs in the next month, the bureau said yesterday.

College graduates can log on to zhaopin.bjrc.com for details of the career fairs or go to www.bjbys.com for information on vacancies offered by employers.

On Saturday, the commission said Beijing will hire college graduates as community assistants starting this year to encourage them to work at the grassroot level.

College students in Beijing who are slated to graduate in July welcomed the latest efforts to boost employment.

[#3: Edit Options>MightyAdsense>Adsense Code]

A well known Chinese blogger whose pen name is “Qian Leixian” (Prostate in flames) was stabbed by two thugs at the One Way Street bookshop last weekend.It seems highly probable, though not yet known for certain, that his attackers were offended by his blog.

Stabbed in the stomach by two thugs at a bookshop in Beijing; condition not critical; attackers still at large; motives unknown

 

ProState in Flames is an extremely well-known blog. At 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon, it’s writer, Xu Lai (internet name ProState), was stabbed in the stomach by two thugs at the end of a meet-the-readers event at a bookshop in Beijing. His attackers are currently still at large and their motives are unknown. After emergency treatment in hospital, ProState is in good condition and his life is not in danger.

Invited to attend a small meet-the-readers event

Xu Lai’s book Fanciful Creatures introduces him as a native of Jiangsu province, a lover of mythology and divination and the owner of the blog ProState in Flames. He has worked as a reporter, editor and commentator for various media in Beijing and Shanghai. He won the best novel category at the 30th Hong Kong Youth Literary Awards.

Yesterday afternoon, between 2 and 4pm, the One Way Street bookshop in Beijing held a small event for Xu Lai to meet his readers. The topic was ProState’s “trivial pursuits.” In a post by “Bo Tong” at the 1984bbs forum (ProState is one of the forum’s administrators), the writer says he went to the event and describes what happened as follows:

“Xu Lai arrived about 2 o’clock. After chatting with the host, he began to talk freely and confidently about his “trivial pursuits” and his understanding of notebook novels. (I don’t know why, but during the talk there was a lot of noise on the first floor and requests for quiet had no effect.) After the talk, he answered various questions, mostly about his book Fanciful Creatures, comparisons between himself and other writers of the post-80s generation, his blog and his ideology and ideals etc. ProState kept saying, modestly, that he’s a clumsy speaker and when answering questions on sensitive subjects, he spoke obliquely. There were none of the revalations we would have expected. His main subject was literary experience and creative feelings.”

Two men forced “ProState” into the men’s toilet and attacked him

21st Century Business Herald reporter Guo Jianlong, who was at the scene, says he was on the first floor when the incident took place. Xu Lai was chatting with several people on the second floor. Guo Jianlong suddenly noticed there was a great commotion. Moments later, he realized Xu Lai was at the top of the staircase on the second floor, clutching his stomach and leaning against the wall. Xu Lai’s wife later told Guo that after the talk, two men forced Xu Lai into the mens toilet. She felt something was wrong so she pushed her way in to see what was going on and discovered the two men were attacking him. One was holding a vegetable knife, the other holding a dagger. One of them was preparing to hack Xu Lai’s hand with the vegetable knife. Having been discovered, the two men rushed out of the shop and ran in the direction of Chang’an Avenue. They were chased, but they got away. Someone at the scene took a blurred picture of the attackers and there’s a cctv camera on the street so it should be possible to obtain a true likeness of the attackers.

Yesterday, at 4.55pm, netizen “Zola” quickly sent out a Twitter message: “Guo Jianlong phoned: ProState is lying on the ground clutching his stomach. I told them to cover the wound with their hands to stop the blood, keep him calm and his breathing relaxed so he has chance of survival.” “Not life-threatening, only one stab wound, Guo Jianlong and Xu Lai’s wife went to the hospital together. Stab wound is about the length of a hand, a lot of blood. Mood stable. On the way to hospital.” Guo Jianlong confirmed the contents of that phone call to the Southern Metropolis Daily.

Blog probably created enemies

Another well-known blogger, “Hecaitou,” says he saw a photograph taken at the scene after Xu Lai was rescued, in which Xu was on the floor, clutching his stomach. At that time someone heard one of the attackers say, “You brought this on yourself. You know why we’re doing this don’t you?”

The news quickly spread on the internet. Netizen “doubleleaf” sent out constant Twitter updates from his mobile phone.

Guo Jianlong says that after the crime was reported, the police were the first to arrive. The ambulance didn’t arrive until about 10 minutes later. At first there wasn’t much loss of blood and it was only when Xu arrived at the hospital that the blood flow increased. Xu Lai remained conscious throughout. Zhang Shougang, who helped move Xu at the hospital says he was taken from the the emergency ward to the operating theater at about 7pm. When they were lifting him, the blood hadn’t been cleaned from his body and Zhang’s hands were covered in blood.

At about 10.25 last night, Hecaitou received a phone call from Xu’s family who told him the operation was over. The knife had punctured a small hole in his body which had been stitched up. He was fully conscious and his blood pressure was normal. Hecaitou said Xu Lai is a low-key sort of person and he’s just a science journalist who wouldn’t provoke anyone. However, there are many things on his blog that can touch a nerve and he has probably made enemies that way.

Valentine’s Day was hugely popular for marriages in Beijing with 2,689 couples getting spliced on Saturday.

The number showed a rise of nearly 2,000 marriages over the Valentine’s Day last year. It is also the highest figure since Aug.8, 2008, the day the Beijing Olympics opened, said Li Ziwei, chief of the marriage registration section with the municipal department of civil affairs, Sunday.

Haidian District, home to higher learning institutes and hi-tech firms, had the most marriages with more than 600 on Saturday alone.

Li said the wedding boom was not just because it was a Saturday and Valentine’s Day but also because it was an even numbered day according to the lunar Chinese calendar. The Chinese associate even numbers with good luck.

The current economic crisis was also said to be another factor behind the boom. “With the financial crisis, many people, especially young people, have chosen to shift their focus of life from career to family,” said Li.

In China people have to bring their identity card, household register, and three photos to register their marriage. The process might take just a few minutes

Han Yagu had never heard of Valentine’s Day before he came to Beijing from his rural home in northwest China’s Qinghai Province. As he learned more about it, he realized how big the gap was between his life and that of his 20-something urban contemporaries.

“They are already in their 20s, but they still think of playing and having fun instead of working hard and earning money for their families,” he said.

Han, 20, a cook in a Muslim restaurant in downtown Beijing, is among the 130-million plus migrant workers who’ve left rural villages to seek their fortune in the cities. But their fortunes are meager in comparison with natives of the big cities, and their holiday celebrations are modest as well.

As China has opened to the outside world, Western holidays and customs like Valentine’s Day have gained popularity, especially among trendy white-collar workers and college students. While well-off urban lovers offer roses and chocolates, migrants have little time or money to spare for such gestures.

Rare, expensive words

On Valentine’s Day, about all Han can do is call his wife in their home 2,000 km away. With a monthly income of only 1,000-plus yuan (146 U.S. dollars), he can’t afford to call home every day, although he and his wife exchange frequent, affectionate text messages.

Han fell in love back home and got married in November. With the money he earned in Beijing, Han gave his wife 70 grams of gold and 28,000 yuan for their wedding. That was a hefty sum for him. Just 23 days later, he had to return to Beijing and leave his wife home.

“If she were here with me, I would also give her a bunch of flowers like the young people in Beijing,” said Han. “But I cannot, so I will think over what I’m going to say on the phone.”

Han isn’t tempted by the women of Beijing. “I don’t like the dresses and manners. Their hairstyles are like hedgehogs and their make-up makes them look like ghosts,” said Han. “My wife is filial and faithful to Allah. She is the most precious gift that Allah gave me.”

Many hurt by downturn

Adding to the plight of many low-paid migrant workers is the economic downturn that has cost many their jobs. The government has estimated that about 20 million migrant workers, or 15 percent of the total, have lost their jobs and returned to their hometowns.

This Valentine’s Day will be a lonely one for Li Xiulin, a 28-year-old woman who divorced recently. She has also been laid off, and her employer did not pay all her back wages.

Li came from central Hunan Province, a major labor export region of China. For a stranger without a college degree or skills, new work has been tough to find in Beijing. After being laid off, she rented a small fruit stall to make a living.

As a single woman, she’s totally on her own. At 6:30 every morning, she rides a bicycle to replenish her stock, and she then works in her stall until late at night.

“Valentine’s Day means nothing to me,” she said. “A single woman’s life is really a hardship.”

A simple celebration

Xu Lei, 24, who comes from a rural area on the outskirts of Beijing, is another victim of the economic crisis. He lost his job after his factory, crippled by losses, shut down.

This is his first Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend, but they have more on their minds than the holiday.

“Our Valentine’s Day will have to be just an ordinary day. I don’t need roses and he doesn’t need chocolate. The gift I want is a new job for him,” said Xu’s girlfriend Zhang Xiaoying, a migrant worker from the central Henan Province who is a supermarket cashier.

Xu and Zhang have spent a year together in Beijing. During this year, their life has been less about romance than about finding, losing and finding jobs again. Valentine’s Day will be a simple holiday for them: they will buy some cheap gifts for each other and return to their rented apartment to prepare a meal.

Waiting for Mr. right

Zhang Jin, who works as a housekeeper in Beijing, came to Beijing for money but is still hoping for romance.

“I’ve never received flowers on Valentine’s Day,” said the 40-year-old native of north China’s Hebei Province. “I long for a family.” However, Zhang said as a stranger in Beijing, she could not trust people she met.

“Their biggest problem is lack of a sense of security in making friends, they cannot verify the validity of each other’s identities,” said Wei Wei, the founder of the Little Bird Hotline, a non-governmental organization. “And their transient lifestyles lead to many uncertainties.”

Businesses in China are cashing in on the growing popularity of western traditions ahead of Valentine’s Day. Selling products with a theme of love, such as flowers and chocolates, is proving to be lucrative. This year’s day for lovers falls on Saturday.

Perhaps the most global expression of love is the gift of flowers, and China is no exception.

At a flower market in Beijing, stalls are getting ready for Valentine’s Day. Here, flowers of all kinds can be found, but without doubt it’s the red rose that will be the most popular this week.

Florist Chen Junshan expects to sell up to three thousand red roses this weekend, with a bunch of 99 roses going for 1000 yuan.

Valentine’s Day surely provides some shops their best business of the year.

Chocolate is another traditional gift. The heart-shaped ones are the most popular. But some unusual shapes also do very well. There are cars, Mah Jongg tiles, and even chocolates shaped as Chinese chess pieces.

Different from ordinary chocolate shops, this one allows its customers to take an active role in creating the product. After all, a gift made by oneself bears more meaning and is more special.

Chocolate shop customer Zhao Yi said, “I can practice my hand skills, and put my thoughts into it. Everyone can buy things as gifts. This has more meaning because it’s my own design and shows my own feelings. “

Usually the chocolates are sold by weight, but for Valentine’s Day, the special offers start at 69 yuan, or just under 10 US dollars, for as many chocolates as you can fit into different-sized boxes.

It is difficult to even find a space at the table outside this shop, and almost all the customers are women.

India is everywhere, thanks to a simple rags-to-riches tale that is now in the running for an Oscar sweep.

Experience a slice of this Slumdog Millionaire at the Indian Bazaar on Valentine’s Day and indulge the senses with a mouth-watering array of yummy treats from some of Beijing’s finest Indian restaurants. Wash it all down with an eclectic choice of thirst quenchers not often seen in the city and even take home some munchies with plenty up for sale.

Ever wondered what it feels like to be draped in 6m of cloth? Have a go at wearing a saree and also get your hands painted with funky henna patters. Fret not, guys. You can try wearing an Indian turban! Lots of jewelry, handicrafts, home decor items and colorful clothing up for grabs. Also travel to the land of Danny Boyle’s Oscar dreams with helpful hints from India tourism officials and partake of India’s rich traditions in classical and folksy songs and dances in the day-long cultural show. And, of course, don’t forget to pick up a copy of SM at the DVD stall.

All table charges will go to charity.

10 am-5 pm, Feb 14

British School of Beijing, Sanlitun Campus

According to the news from the Office of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau , 12 peoples of the CCTV new site are arrested in connection with the fire that damaged Beijing’s hypermodern State television and hotel complex.

The 12 peoples include three work staff from CCTV and 8 people from the fireworks company. After the fire of CCTV, the 8 people from the firework get away from Beijing. And they are arrested by the police in Langfang Hebei province.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the firework company have the qualification of setting off fireworks of class A. But the activity has not approved from the related departments.