Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

Red banners

Seeing a big red banner in your neighborhood is not always a good sign in China. In some cases, it can essentially mean: "Get out now!"

There are a good number of these particular red banners in Laogucheng, a rundown area of homes in Beijing's west side.  A developer is wanting to bulldoze the place and has already started. But about 700 residents have decided to stay put. They won't leave until the developer gives them a better compensation for their homes.

Now red banners hang from some of the buildings in the neighborhood, their messages trying to convince residents to move out. The one pictured above tries to justify the developer's intentions:  "Strengthening the improvement of the city's villages. Moving ahead to restore the environment."

This message stamped on a column next to a demolished building tries to lead by example. It points out: "Party member takes the initiative and is the first to move out."

This message tries to reassure residents that they can come back to the neighborhood once its redeveloped. "Guaranteed return to new residences. Ensure the long-term livelihood." At some level, this all feels a bit like psychological warfare.

While about half of the residents in the neighborhood refuse to leave, the developer has already succeeded in demolishing the other already vacated homes. Now these streets feel more like a war zone. Eventually, it seems that old will have to make way for the new. Hopefully it will be done fairly.

My cousin

Last summer I spoke with a former foreign correspondent to get some tips on how to make it as a journalist in China. He summed up the challenges as so: "Basically, its like trying to be an actor in Hollywood," he said.

"There are only a few people that get the big jobs like working at the The New York Times. And behind each one of those big jobs, there are dozens of other journalists hoping to one day work there."

After living in Beijing for close to a year, I have to say that analogy is a good description of what it can feel like to be a freelance journalist in China. You look for writing gigs to advance your career, all the while maintaining your part-time jobs to make sure you can feed yourself. Thus, it can be rough.

Back in America, my cousin Alice Tong, is working away at becoming a singer/songwriter. She is very talented. Yet her challenges are somewhat similar as she has to find ways to promote her music, while also getting enough funding to pay her band.

Right now she is asking donations to fund a music tour. For those interested, you can learn more by visiting this link: Alice Tong West Coast Tour- "It Takes a Village."

We are always told to follow our dreams. But obviously, it's not always easy.

Still, they say it's the journey that really matters, and not so much the goal. I think that's true. We just have to keep doing our best.

School violence

In the past weeks, the hot topic in China has been a series of student killings at the country's elementary schools.

Since March, there have been at least five attacks involving lone men usually hacking to death children at a nearby school. The latest attack centered on a merchant who killed seven kindergarten students.

Now everyone is trying to understand why these copycat killings happened. The attacks have usually involved unemployed single men, who for whatever reason, felt the need to take their frustrations on the society's most innocent individuals. Some have described it as the result of growing poverty  sending people over the edge, while others have linked it to the lack of services for people with mental health problems. Taking some flak is the government, which has been accused by pundits for doing little to stem the problem.

In the meantime, security at elementary schools in the country has increased. At one school near where I live, guards with white helmets stood outside the gates during the early mornings. Now suddenly what should be one of the safest places for children has become a target for random acts of violence. It's unthinkable that a danger like this could exist. But obviously, something hideous is lurking deep in China's changing society and we are all struggling to understand it.

Bricks

Very soon, one of my favorite restaurants will become this: a pile of scattered bricks.

As I said last month, one of the neighborhoods near where I live is undergoing redevelopment. Recently, some of the first buildings were knocked down.

The former shops, selling household products to "massage" services, were there one day, and then reduced to rubble in the next.

Now my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood seems to be surrounded by stacks of bricks. I went there to eat yesterday. One of the workers there told me their business has about another month before it goes like the rest. They plan on moving to a new location somewhere else. I'll just have to enjoy the restaurant while I still can.

Spring

Yes, it took a while. But the winter is finally gone. And thus no more need for these sweaters or wrapping myself in a blanket when sitting in my apartment.

It must have been one of the longest winters I've ever experienced, Beijing's first snowfall coming on the first of November. For months, it felt like a ceiling of gray clouds was perpetually looming over this city; the trees barren and the overall color of the place dormant and drained.

Yet, now with the weather better,  it doesn't exactly feel like spring. Instead, it seems as if Beijing just skipped that season, and went straight to summer. This past week the temperatures in the city have reached 70 and even 80 degrees Fahrenheit. I hope this weather lasts for a long time; the skies look pretty.