Beijing Favorite Tips by xuessium

National Flag of The People's Republic of China

Favorite thing: The national flag of the People's Republic of China is the five-star red flag.

The red color of the flag is the symbol of the revolution, signifying that the political power of the People's Republic of China is achieved through bloodshed and lives laid down by countless revolutionary martyrs who marched forward wave upon wave in the heroic struggles for the revolution.

In the upper-left corner of the flag there are five-pointed yellow stars, of which the big one represents the Communist Party of China and the four small ones the people of all ethnic groups of the country. One point of the big star points right up the flag and of the four small ones each has a point pointing towards the centre of the big star. This shows that the Chinese Communist Party is the force at the core of the leadership of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups who unite closely as one round the Party.

With the color of the stars in yellow this means the great cause of socialism has a bright future. With the flag-staff painted white, that is to suggest flawless purity and loftiness."

Fondest memory: Political curio:
China (The People's Republic of China) is recognised as the sole legitimate China by the great majority of the member countries of the United Nation, while Taiwan is regarded as a renegade province. However, 24 countries (circa Sep 07) in the world recognise Taiwan (The Republic of China) over PR China. These countries are: Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Palau, Kiribati, Malawi, Swaziland, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Sao Tome & Principe, The Holy See of Vatican, Belize, Guatamala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Haiti, St.Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, St.Vincent & The Grenadines & St.Lucia.

Baffling English Signs Language Review

Favorite thing: The Chinese are trying their best to reach out to foreign guests. Unfortunately, some of the best effort in translations turned out to be more baffling than useful at times, leaving you even more bewildered.

I actually had a packet of drink advising me that it contained no antiseptics, when they are trying to explain to you that the item contains no preservatives.

There is still a long way to go but giving the people credit, at least they are trying!

Star-Rated Toilets

Favorite thing: In a bid to polish up its image after too many horrid loo jokes at their expense, the Chinese government has taken painful orchestrated effort to put an end to the butt of all jokes about their much maligned public toilets.

These days, toilets at many of the tourist sites are star-rated based on their cleanliness and lack of stench/odour. There are now teams of employees, dressed in spiffy lab coats, ensuring that these toilets meet the standards imposed by the State. The toilets are air-conditioned, washed and scrubbed clean repeatedly, sprayed with air-fresheners and even had auto-sensor installed on their taps to save water.

So maybe these toilets will be giving the Hiltons, the Hyatts and the Sheratons a run for their money in due time? (grin)