Category Archives: Ray

Photography and comments by Ray Maloney.

Tongren,Guizhou missionary history 贵州铜仁传教士历史: Local Girl Braves Danger of Bandits and Jap Attack- Life of Missionary in China Is Far From Being Dull- Local Girl in China -Zimmer Dec 5 1939 article

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Tongren,Guizhou missionary history 贵州铜仁传教士历史:  Local Girl Braves Danger of Bandits and Jap Attack- Life of Missionary in China Is Far From Being Dull- Local Girl in China -Zimmer  Dec 5 1939 article, , see larger image:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9638579787/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Photo caption: Six weeks away by mail, when it gets through, Mrs. Silvia Zimmer will be spending here Christmas in Tungjen with her husband, Gerald, and their 18-month-old baby Sherwood

[copy of the original newspaper article supplied by Zimmer Foundation, www.zimmerfoundation.org , via former English teacher in Tongren, Guizhou and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Sky Lantz-Warner (now at the University of Dayton, in Ohio), slantzwagner1@udayton.edu ]

The Morgantown Post, Morgantown, W. Va., Tuesday, December 5, 1939

text of news article:

“When a plane flies over Morgantown, one rarely notices it.
When an airplane buzzes over the horizon toward Tungjen [Tongren铜仁], China, a former Morgantown girl picks up her baby boy and runs for the hills.
Now that the Japanese have pointed the nose of their war machine into Southern China to rivet shut the backdoor through which supplies have been coming to the Chinese, the war is closer to Mrs. Gerald Zimmer, the former Sylvia Zinn.
Her mother, Mrs. Josephine Zinn of 160 Fayette street, pointed out Tungjen on a detailed map of China. It is located in Kweichow [Guizhou贵州] Province.

Located in Interior

This former University co-ed lives six weeks away by mail in the hinterlands of China, 1,400 miles west of Shanghai. Starting at Peking, she and her husband, Gerald Zimmer, kept one jump ahead of Jap bombers in their move in the interior.
“Tunjen is thirty miles from the nearest road,” Mrs. Zinn explained. Everything must be shipped in by boat to this city of 24,000 persons located in a region of mountains.
Raiding the river boats is a lucrative source of income to the bandits. The Zimmers just missed having their belongings fall into bandit hands. [missing text] … enough to meet their I.O.U.’s by the first of the year.

Bandits Beheaded

Telling of measures taken against the bandits, Mrs. Zimmer wrote in her last letter:
“Bandits aren’t bothering us now, Thank goodness! They (the soldiers) have been tracking them down and killing them. Friday four of them were beheaeded outside the North Gate. We had to come past there and there were two bodies and four heads still there…an awful sight.”
High walls completely surround the city and the residences of the missionaries are walled in also. Yet despite this, the bandits make raids on the city.
A raid on the North Gate near where the Zimmers live caused a bit of an uproar what with bullets zipping close to the house. The noise wakened the Zimmer’s baby boy before he could be taken to a safe place on the first floor.

Help One Another

The bandits made off with some loot and a couple Chinese women after killing several of the city’s residents.
Missionaries stick together in China, regardless of denomination or creed. If some difficulty arises, word of it travels fast and far.
The supply of powdered milk for the Zimmer child was low and prospects of replenishing the necessity have been bad at times.
“They were down to the last spoonful one time,” Mrs. Zinn said, “when a bundle arrived from a distant missionary’s wife. It contained a supply of the needed food. Another time, a missionary coming in from the ‘outside’ stopped and left a supply.”

Things Happen

Teaching and taking care of a house are but part of the day’s work for Mrs. Zimmer. The most [unclear text]… things pop up for her [missing text]… saying a woman nearby had taken poison,” Mrs. Zinn related. “Sylvia hurried after the girl, trying to think of the remedies she had heard of for poisoning.”
Arriving in the room with the stricken woman, she set to work and applied two of the remedies she remembered. They saved the woman’s life, the Chinese doctor told her later.
The Chinese have a simple faith in the ability of the missionaries to cure their ills. Mr. Zimmer treated as many as a thousand persons at one time for minor ills while on one of his trips in the surrounding rural region.

Going to Stay

The Zimmers carry their share of the burden of the missionary work for the region. Mr. Zimmer is the only white man for miles around. An American nurse and the widow of a missionary are the only other white persons in Tungjen.
Does the increasing difficulties have them stumped?
No sir!
“They are determined to stay until 1942 when their first six years are up,” Mrs. Zinn stated. Meanwhile, the former Marion, Ohio, youth and the West Virginia University co-ed are having the time of their lives doing the work they thoroughly enjoy in the midst of one of the most exciting chapters in the world’s history.’

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Rev. & Mrs. Gerald R. Zimmer were Educators who, in the middle 1930s decided they wanted to be missionaries and went to China to preach and teach. They went to a very remote area in the interior, to a small town of Tongren. There they lived with the people, learned their language and customs and worked to improve their situation.

The Zimmer Foundation initiated a scholarship program in 2004 that supports the major cost of education for students annually for the second, third and final years at Tongren University. Now, over twenty students have been provided scholarships. It was our vision that at least two students will be added each year over a ten year program. Many donors have allowed us to exceed our visions of the scholarship program. The selection of the students is based upon their academic achievements and financial needs. The student’s family is identified with an income at or less than the poverty level established by the Tongren prefecture officials.

In villages of rural China, many students are the first of their family to complete college. Zimmer Foundation has arranged to financially support specific students with financial needs. The eligibility for receipt of such scholarships is first year college students with academic excellence who come from very poor families. Often these are children of farmers whose annual income is less than $264 USD. The families earn below the declared poverty level defined by each county.

The Zimmer Foundation for China was established to implement holistic programs to improve the economic and spiritual conditions in rural Guizhou. The Zimmer Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization established in memory of Rev. & Mrs. Gerald R. Zimmer who served in China 1936-1948.

The Zimmer Foundation for China
7702 Lake Vista Ct. Suite 202, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202, USA
Phone 941-306-5022, E-Mail : info@zimmerfoundation.org , stanzimmer@charter.net  (from www.zimmerfoundation.org/about/index.php )

see also:
Tongren University: Love Has No Boundaries (about Zimmerman Foundation, for Tongren, Guizhou) , & interview with Sky Lantz-Wagner, Peace Corps teacher, 2012, www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9509507136/

Zimmer Foundation for China, www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9509318418/

Tongren University 铜仁学院, Guizhou prov.,http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9509392752/in/photostream/

Oakland University (Michigan) – Guizhou exchange

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Oakland University (Michigan) – Guizhou exchange , from http://www2.oakland.edu/sehs/ou_china/overview.htm,   posted at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9635577189/

The partnership between Guizhou Education Bureau, Guizhou, China and Oakland University, Michigan, U.S.A., was established in 1986 by the first OU delegation to China. Over the past 20 years, this unique partnership has been successfully and productively developed and expanded, beneficial to students, teachers, administrators, and many other participants from both sides. The partnership consists of five major components: the Summer English Language Institute, the MAT Joint-Masters Program, the Oakland-China Educational Consortium for School Districts, the Leadership Training Project, and the Visitors Exchange Programs.

Program Coordinator:Dr. Ledong Li, Oakland University, Pawley Hall 450 D, 2200 North Squirrel Road, Rochester, Michigan 48307, USA ,  Email: l1li@oakland.edu , Phone within United States: 1-248-370-4373 Fax: 1-248-370-4367, Phone from China: 001-248-370-4373 Fax: 001-248-370-4367; sehs@oakland.edu

HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Guizhou 贵州的艾滋病

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HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Guizhou   贵州的艾滋病

uploaded at：http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9626460063/in/photostream

 

“”Our school held a big event to mark the 25th World AIDS Day”

user: GuiZhou Business School time:2012-12-1

November 30th 2012 — On the eve of the 25th World AIDS Day, sponsored by Guizhou province AIDS Committee and Guizhou province Poverty Alleviation Office, we school held a big event “Take action to prevent AIDS” . Xu Jingju, the director of Guizhou province AIDS Committee, Gao Chunxiu, the deputy investigator, Mr Yang Hongyuan, and Quan Xianjun, the clerk of Guizhou province Poverty Alleviation Office came to our school and were involved in the activities.

Xu Jingju, the director of Guizhou province AIDS Committee, gave us an enthusiastic speech, in which she introduced the current work and the obtained achievements, meanwhile she appealed “Participation, Dedication and Prevention by all people “, which means by establishing a healthy and civilized life style and actively participating in the public benefit activities of preventing AIDS, we should make contributions to defending our homeland.

Then Mr Yang Hongyuan gave us a lecture about how to prevent AIDS, during which the present students competed to answer the relevant questions. At last, the big event ended with a wonderful performance.

(from www.gzssx.com/ENGLISH/eshownews.asp?nid=3333 )
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China province project reaches out to young people
06 September 2006

The guidebooks call it ‘remote’, ‘undiscovered’ – China’s south-western province of Guizhou is home to some examples of extreme natural beauty including China’s largest waterfall, the ‘Huangguoshu’ and the Zhijin Caves, famous for their massive-scale stalagmite stone pillars.

But despite its remote location and idyllic surroundings, the province, like every other in China, is increasingly affected by HIV. From a few individual reported cases in 1993, it is currently estimated that about 37,000 people in Guizhou are living with HIV. There are signs of the epidemic becoming progressively generalized and increasingly women are becoming infected.

With hope and help – A self-help group for people living with HIV in Guizhou
A joint HIV prevention and care project, run by Guizhou provincial authorities, and UNAIDS` Cosponsor UNICEF is making some headway towards tackling the growing figures and at the same time involving people and groups from all sectors in the AIDS response. Established in 2001, the project focuses particularly on young people, tackling the often difficult issue of injecting drug use and its crossover with HIV, as well as providing care and support for people living with HIV.

“The initiative contains three key areas – development of a strategic plan on AIDS involving high-level advocacy and media mobilization; HIV prevention among children and young people in and out of school and within drug rehabilitation centres; and care and support to children living with HIV and their families,” said Christian Voumard, UNICEF Representative and chairman of the UN theme group on AIDS in China.

The project aims to build and involve all key officials and provincial groups in the AIDS response. Vice Provincial Governor of Guizhou Wu Jiafu underlines how the initiative has helped bring people together. “As government officials, we now know how we can work together with multiple sectors to confront AIDS and support people living with and affected by HIV. This network is now implementing the national policies and local policies to support young people, people living with HIV and their families to fight against the disease and its social impact,” he said.

“Though the resources here are very limited, we’re confident that we can get ahead of the HIV epidemic with the participation of all these young people and people infected and affected,” he added.

Results so far have been extremely encouraging. Provincial policies on HIV have been put in place and training sessions with authorities and project managers are already underway. Since the project’s inception, 45 high schools have developed curriculum on HIV and drug use prevention in eight of the province’s prefectures, reaching more than 70,000 children and young people.

Voluntary testing and counselling services have been set up within seven drug rehabilitation centres across the province.

“By knowing my HIV status and with all the knowledge of prevention of HIV, I will stop sharing needles with my friends and engaging in high risk sex,” said one young man at the Tongren prefecture drug rehabilitation centre.

Through the initiative, gradually people living with HIV are being brought to the forefront of the response in the province. A number of self-help groups of people living with HIV have been developed with the participation of 50 people living with HIV. More than 100 family members and 26 children and their families participated in care and support campaigns in the prefectures of Guiyang and Tongren, receiving community based care for family life and schooling.

“I never imagined it could be possible that authorities and big organizations would care about us –people living with HIV—and our children,” said one man living with HIV from Tongren prefecture who has been involved in the programme. “I lost my hope because of the pain of disease, social discrimination and poverty, but this is helping to restore the hope by supporting me and my children.”

UNICEF was the first major donor on AIDS in Guizhou province and provided some of the ground work for other donors’ work in the area. Programmes supported by the US Center for Disease Control and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Round 4) have since benefited from this in their support to Guizhou.

UNICEF will continue to support the project in their new 2006-2010 programme and activities will be expanded to include prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and increasing care and support for children affected by AIDS.

The joint project in Guizhou is focusing particularly on young people
“This programme has been an example of bringing together a variety of different groups within the AIDS response – and crucially invovles young people and people living with HIV,” said UNAIDS Country Coordinator for China, Joel Rehnstrom.

“We are seeing the project help reduce numbers of new infections, as well as break down the barriers and taboos of involving people living with HIV – which in turn is breaking down stigma and discrimination related to HIV.”

UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot is visiting China from 7 – 12 September to encourage continued leadership and commitment and to mobilize a truly multi-sectoral response to AIDS in China. As part of his visit, Dr Piot is participating in a three-day mission to Guizhou, visiting the Hui Long community and Zhijing County. Dr Piot will meet with representatives of provincial government and city leaders and visit various key sites that focusing on HIV and drug use.

(from http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2006/september/20060906china/)

English corners in Guiyang 贵阳的英语角: Mon 7:30 pm @ Coffee Time 素年咖啡, Thurs @ Guizhou Normal U.’s Mao statue

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English corners in Guiyang 贵阳的英语角: Mondays 7:30-10:00 pm  

Mondays 7:30-10:00 pm at NEW LOCATION (as of Jan 2014): Black Rock 黑石, Caijiajie, near Xiaoshizi  蔡家街商住楼二单元二号（建行背后）
coffee shop tel: 136 1851 1183   [former location:Coffee Time 素年咖啡 , (across from Jiaxiu Pavilion, behind Victoria维多利亚) ]

Thursdays 7:30-9:30 pm at Guizhou Normal University at the Mao statue 贵州师范大学,毛主席雕像

There is also an English corner on Saturdays at 2:30-5:00 pm at the Guizhou Provincial Library 贵州省图书馆 (Beijing Road 北京路), on the 4th floor in the foreign language book collection section.

The Protestant church on Qianlingxi Road 黔灵西路 occasionally also has an English corner on Tuesday nights. 

And there is an English corner in a Korean restaurant in a shopping center in Jinyang.

American education delegation visit to Guiyang, 2007 — Mao-Mart: Always Low Prices!

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American education delegation visit to Guiyang, 2007 — Mao-Mart: Always Low Prices!

larger image at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9612469434/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Mao-Mart: Always Low Prices!

17 July,2007By: David Besozzi

This morning we visited a middle school affiliated with Guizhou Normal University.

We were met at the gate by the school’s principal. The school actually placed a banner in English and Chinese at the gate welcoming us, as well as in the reception room.

The principal mentioned that today was an auspicious day – 17th day, 7th month, of the 7th year – all those sevens, very lucky indeed! The school has a total of 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff.

At this point, the principals ‘speech was typical of these sort of government sponsored events (very Party like) – he emphasized the similarities and differences between the American and Chinese systems of education – like yin and yang, he said. China emphasizes the group, while America focuses on individual. The principal went onto say that both countries have the opportunity to learn from the strengths of each other. Interestingly, in the middle of his introduction speech, the principal’s cell phone rang and he took the call (a common occurrence at these events). He never lost his place and continued with his speech after finishing the call. He then concluded by stating that the school builds on traditional approaches but also looks forward to the opportunity to meet and learn from educators from abroad. Afterward, we broke out into happy applause (although I was wondering if we would be given any information of substance – it wasnt ‘looking too good).

We then got another welcome from the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Office in Guizhou, Miss Chin – “welcome on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Office,” she said, and then told us she is very busy getting ready to leave for a trip to the United Kingdom later in the day. With that, she got up and left. These introductions were looking very “official” – meaning useless in terms of learning anything of substance.

We then met with Mr. Zhou, the Director of Education for the province of Guizhou. He proceeded to supply us with a variety of statistics on Guizhou schools: by the end of 2006 they had 470 million students (not sure if that is accurate). They also have 40,00 primary schools, 1,500 middle schools, and 482 senior middle (high) schools (Again, these statistical figures are always suspect).

Mr. Zhou stressed that the goal of education in Guizhou is to meet the needs of all students – fairness is the goal. He also emphasized the need for curriculum reform and quality education. Al right, at this point, I am beginning to think that we are being given a very typical Party speech – although not presenting us with all “sunshine and roses,” the speech was less informative than the education related presentations we have heard elsewhere. It isn’t enough to keep repeating the “equality and fairness” phrase over and over. Given what we have learned about migrant families and the plight of “left behind children,” the rhetoric we received today seems a waste of time. I think the old fashioned approach to meeting with foreign educators still practiced in Guizhou reflects the degree to which the province has not met the sophistication level we experienced elsewhere, especially Beijing. They still need to break from the routine of the past and the practice of presenting the rhetorical Party line (Beijing presentations also promoted party policy, but did it in a way that was not always obviously Party rhetoric).

Well, I’m not so sure how useful this meeting was. Nevertheless, they had great snacks! I also had a chance to meet with and talk with a high school student, a miss Xue Shuyu. She had lived in America for a year in Pennsylvania where she went to school and took here classes in English. I was astounded at her level of intelligence and her commitment to her studies.

All of the students that were present seemed to be of a similar character. It made me think that in the United States we are not doing enough – our students will find it difficult to compete with these young people in a global market place. If we don’t reform our education goals, it is potentially possible that we will fall behind. However, Miss. Xue also admitted that the one problem faced by students in China is the overwhelming amount of study and preparation they are required to do for school. She would have preferred some sort of balance between study time and free time. She particularly liked how in America she had some choices and freedom to study topics of her choosing. This is not always an option for students in China. perhaps Miss Xue, and others like her, may build a bridge between our two systems, making it possible for Chinese students to experience the best of both systems (now I’m sounding rhetorically Party like).

Following lunch, we headed towards a section of Guiyang where Professor Belsky had noticed a giant Mao statue. These were common during the Cultural Revolution, but most had been taken down in the years following that controversial period of Chinese history. So, off we went in the bus to check it out. Upon arriving, it was apparent that the statue was very large — it was the largest I have even seen. Interestingly, it now sat in front of a new skyscraper/office building.

Both the building and the Mao statue faced in the direction of the main park located in Guiyang along the water front area of the Nanming River. However, on closer inspection, the park was more than a park. At both ends the park there was a triangular structure composed of glass emerging from the grassy area of the park – they looked very much like the I.M. Pei designed entrance way to the Louvre in Paris, France. However, these two pyramid structures were not entry ways into a museum. No, in fact, they were the entry ways into one of the world’s largest Wal-Mart Supercenters!

If you look closely, at the back left of the glass pyramid, you can see Mao in the background:

The entire structure was underground, essentially the full length of the park itself, the green lawn being located on the roof of the structure.

It was massive and inside one could buy all things one expects to find at a Wal-Mart and more. Chinese tastes for food are different than in the United States. As a result, different varieties of food are available.

However, the Chinese do not differ in the desire to purchase items at an affordable price. Hence the smiley-faced Wal-Mart discount signs everywhere.

The irony of this discovery wasn’t so much that Wal-Mart was taking over China just like it is America, but that the location of the structure is opposite a giant Mao statue. The man must be spinning in his grave – all that revolution and Mao has to stand for eternity staring at a Wal-Mart Supercenter (makes one consider the hypocrisy of kicking Starbucks out of the Forbidden City – no one seems to care about the sanctity of Mao, especially if it means cutting off access to “Always Low Prices!”).

Following our adventure at “Mao-Mart,” We were taken to visit a local industry – a drug manufacturing factory. The name of the company was Li Shuan Gyao Ye and they manufactured a drug that basically acts like a sore throat remedy.

According to the director, the drug is completely made of natural herbs, as opposed to Western medicine, which often uses chemicals (I am not sue that his statement is 100% true, but it reflects the Chinese perception of Western medicine). They even gave us a free sample box to keep.

We were then taken on a tour of the plant, but we had to wear protective clothing on our heads, body and feet. So, we dressed in the appropriate clothing provided and took a tour of the plant,

Sorry, no photo were allowed so I cant show the plant. It was remarkably clean, especially since the part of the city where this factory was located was not. After our tour, we headed back to our bus, but not before passing a company bus with the image of a famous spokesperson (a comedian).

We then took our obligatory group photo.

Some of us jokingly wondered what the chances might be that we would see our picture or a group photo on a bus in Shanghai the following week expressing our love of the product. I imagined it might look like the following:

After the company visit, it was time to head back to the hotel for some well needed rest.

(from http://admin.bhbl.neric.org/~dbesozzi/FOV2-001011C0/FOV2-001011C2/S00DE53FE-0193EC1B?Plugin=Blog )

Hall of Confucius Studies, Guiyang 贵阳孔学堂, in Huaxi district, opened in 2012

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Hall of Confucius Studies, Guiyang  贵阳孔学堂, in Huaxi district 

see larger image at:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9617680700/sizes/l/in/photostream/

more photos of the Hall of Confucius Studies in Guiyang at: www.gywb.cn/topic/view/id/78.htm

reference photo: students in Guiyang, late Qing era,  photo from http://img1.soufun.com/bbs/2011_12/06/18/guiyang/1323166809645_000.jpg

全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂 Coming of age ceremony

大成殿内孔子及先贤圣像

贵阳市道德讲堂总堂在孔学堂开讲

 孔学堂鸟瞰效果图

孔学堂 大唐果

在孔学堂举办的成人礼上，正宾为参礼者加冠。

在孔学堂举办的成人礼上，正宾为参礼者加冠。

孔学堂大成殿效果图。

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The Workshop of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters Convened in Guiyang

from Hanban, 2013-08-01

Guiyang, July 28th, 2013 – The workshop of the Council of the Confucius Institute Headquarters was convened in Guiyang. Mr. Li Jun, Vice Secretary of the Guizhou CPC Provincial Committee; Mr. Zhao Qizheng, dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China, the former chief of the State Council Information Office; Madam Xu Lin, Chief Executive of Confucius Institute Headquarters, Director-General of Hanban; Mr. Li Zaiyong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Guiyang Municipal Committee and Mayor of Guiyang City attended the workshop and delivered speeches.

In his speech, Mr. Li Jun thanked Confucius Institute Headquarters for organizing the workshop in Guiyang. He said that an important reason for holding the workshop in Guiyang was that Guiyang has got the Hall of Confucius Study. The Study is more a school than a “temple”, which mainly serves as a venue for lectures, research, and training. And the purpose of the Hall of Confucius Study is not to restore the ancient ways but to revive and pass on the elements of the outstanding traditional Chinese culture under new historical circumstances, and to help realize the “China Dream”. He hopes friends from various countries often come to Guizhou, offering their care and help to the Hall of Confucius Study in Guiyang, which makes greater contribution in promoting traditional Chinese culture.

Madam Xu Lin pointed out that Confucius Institutes are flourishing and warmly welcomed in various countries, and have been in a new phase of development. Improving the quality of management, upgrading training for local Chinese language teachers, and implementing the Confucius China Study Plan are the basis for the sustainable development of Confucius Institutes, which enables the pursuit of development on a higher level, helps to integrate into foreign universities and local communities, and better serves the demands of the world in learning Chinese language and culture.

During the opening ceremony, Confucius Institute Headquarters (Hanban) and the Guiyang municipal government jointly signed a framework agreement for strategic cooperation.

During the conference, Mr. Zhao Qizheng gave a lecture about the differences and similarities of Chinese and foreign cultures, and the Chinese and foreign discourse systems. Representatives from countries including the U.S., the UK, Germany, Spain, Australia, Kenya, Brazil, and Chile made discussions and exchanged views about how the Confucius Institute can better integrate into foreign universities, better serve the public of various countries, increase its influence, and they offered advice on how the Confucius Institute could maintain a sustainable development as well.

(from english.hanban.org/article/2013-08/01/content_507342.htm )
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全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂University leaders at the Confucius Institute

　

Overseas university heads tour Guiyang Confucius Institute

By Li Yang and Zeng Jun ( chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2013-08-06

The public lecture provides a platform for communication between scholars and the public. Also, it is part of the cultural development plan of Guiyang,” said Zhao Qizheng, the president of the School of Journalism, Renmin University of China.

University representatives from the US, Great Britain and South Korea watched the Chinese traditional coming-of-age ceremony at the Guiyang Confucius Institute on July 30.

The ceremony has three sections: a capping ceremony, a hair-pinning ceremony and a shooting event. A total of 50 boys and girls dressed in Han costumes participated in the ceremony.

Isaac Mbeche，vice-president of the University of Nairobi, Kenya, said at the event: “The Confucius institute was established in 2005 in Kenya, providing undergraduate and postgraduate education. Students there cannot only learn Chinese but also Confucian culture.”

“The Guiyang Confucius Institute’s architecture is amazing,” said Fred Hillmer, the president of the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Hillmer said: “Learning Chinese has become a fashionable thing in Sydney. There are more than 500 people learning Chinese in our university.”

Seven years ago, the University of Edinburgh established a Confucius Institute. Now, it has more than 2,000 students,said Timothy O’Shea, the president of the University of Edinburgh.

photos:
Overseas university heads tour Guiyang Confucius Institute
University leaders at the Confucius Institute

Overseas university heads tour Guiyang Confucius Institute

Coming of age ceremony

(from www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/guizhou/guiyang/2013-08/06/conten… )
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贵阳孔学堂落成

2012年10月31日

贵阳孔学堂落成
——弘扬传统文化 构筑精神高地

弘扬中华民族优秀传统文化，构筑促进地方经济社会发展的“精神高地”。9月28日，贵阳孔学堂落成暨孔子行教雕塑揭幕仪式在大将山麓、花溪河畔隆重举 行。国务院参事室主任陈进玉讲话并宣布落成，省委常委、市委书记李军为孔学堂管理处授牌并致辞。

中央文史馆副馆长、中国文联副主席冯远，国务院参事、国家汉办主任、孔子学院总部总干事许琳，国务院参事车书剑，省人大常委会副主任顾久，人民出版社 编辑部主任方国根，南京大学中国文化书院常务副院长李承贵，联合国教科文组织文化遗产专员、中国文物技术学会副秘书长杜晓帆，世界遗产基金会中国区经 理李光涵等出席。

市委常委、市委宣传部部长兰义彤主持仪式。省委宣传部、省文明办、省发改委、省旅游局、省教育厅、省文史馆、省建筑设计研究院等省直部门和单位负责人 ，市领导李忠、陈石、王保建、马长青、刘文新、张平、刘俊、朱元俊、帅文、庞鸿、李作勋，以及市人大常委会、市政府、市政协其他领导出席。
孔学堂地处花溪十里河滩国家城市湿地公园中段，背倚大将山，俯瞰花溪河。占地130亩，建筑面积2万多平方米，因袭宏伟、大气的汉唐风格，并融入贵州 地域建筑元素。主要建筑包括大成殿、杏坛、讲堂群、六艺学宫、乡贤祠、阳明祠、奎文阁等，主要功能是讲学、研究、修习，兼具祭祀、礼典、典藏等功能。

在落成暨揭幕仪式上，陈进玉代表国务院参事室、中央文史馆、国家汉办和孔子学院总部，对贵阳孔学堂的落成表示祝贺。他说，贵阳建设孔学堂，是贯彻落实 党的十七届六中全会精神的重要举措，是实现贵州省委、省政府“构筑精神高地，冲出经济洼地”要求的重要助推力，将为全市、全省乃至全国的青少年加强思 想道德教育提供重要基地，为提高本地党政干部的文化素养和“官德”境界提供重要平台。从孔学堂的建设，我们看到了“贵阳速度”，感受到了贵州、贵阳在 西部大开发中正在迅速崛起。
陈进玉表示，国务院参事室及有关机构将在国学进校园、进机关、进企业等方面加大对贵阳市的支持力度，推动世界各地的孔子学院与贵阳孔学堂加强交流。希 望贵阳孔学堂越办越红火，贵州、贵阳经济社会发展更好更快。（讲话全文另发）

李军代表市四大班子向孔学堂的落成表示祝贺。他说，文化是民族的血脉。一个民族要真正强大，必须使本民族的优秀文化延绵不绝、繁荣发展。当前，我们自 身发展状况和面临的外部环境都发生了很大变化，迫切需要建立与市场经济相适应的、根源于本民族传统文化的社会主义精神文明体系。孔子创立的儒家学说是 中华民族传统文化的主脉。贵阳与儒学文化有着很深的渊源，贵阳加快发展既需要高楼大厦，也需要精神文化殿堂。在此时、在此地建设孔学堂，就是贯彻中央 的要求，坚持古为今用，实现弘扬中华民族优秀传统文化与彰显社会主义文明新风的有机结合，构筑“精神高地”，为冲出“经济洼地”提供强大精神力量。

李军强调，孔学堂必须立足贵阳、面向全国、放眼世界，真正成为一个开放的平台。要通过开设国学讲坛，举办学术交流会、研讨会等载体，吸引海内外儒学名 家前来讲学、研究，促进儒学文化的传播与发展，培育广大市民对优秀传统文化的认知与认同，增强民族文化自觉自信。通过坚持不懈的努力，使贵阳孔学堂成 为一个硕儒、名流汇集的地方，成为一个弘扬、研究儒学文化的重要场所。

李军说，在孔学堂建设过程中，得到了各级领导和有关各方的热情关怀和积极帮助。设计单位精心构思，工程建设者高质量、高效率完成建设任务，相关单位全 力配合，民营企业慷慨解囊，广大市民和专家学者踊跃建言。李军代表市四大班子向参与、关心和支持孔学堂建设的各级各方表示衷心感谢。

中国孔子基金会等省内外136家相关机构和组织发来贺信，认为贵阳孔学堂的落成对弘扬中华传统文化、构建社会主义和谐社会、建设中华民族共有精神家园 具有重大意义，必将推动当地经济社会文化全面健康发展。

仪式上，李军向孔学堂管委会主任蒋星恒和孔学堂管理处负责人授牌。出席仪式的领导和嘉宾为高达9.28米的巨型孔子行教雕塑揭幕。仪式前，领导和嘉宾 们兴致勃勃地参观了孔学堂。

各区（市、县）、市直各部门，捐建单位负责人，贵阳市儒学研究会成员参加仪式。

(from www.gysdj.gov.cn/dwgk/ShowNews.aspx?NewsID=13332 )
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全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂
发布时间：2013-07-31 09:41:03 来源：贵阳晚报 作者：周然 庞博
导读：7月30日，孔子学院总部理事及全球12个国家的大学校长来到贵阳孔学堂参观。来自美、英、韩等12个国家的大学校长，在孔学堂观看了中国的成 人礼仪式：50名身穿汉服的少男少女，在广场上…
全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂
7月30日，孔子学院总部理事及全球12个国家的大学校长来到贵阳孔学堂参观。
中国人民大学新闻学院院长、前国务院新闻办公室主任赵启正参观之后表示，虽然他是第一次来到孔学堂，但这里与他想象中孔子当年的学习环境很吻合。 “举办的公益讲座，既有利于贵阳的文化发展，也给学者提供了一个服务群众的机会。”
来自美、英、韩等12个国家的大学校长，在孔学堂观看了中国的成人礼仪式：50名身穿汉服的少男少女，在广场上按照传统礼仪，进行拜孔圣、三谢礼 等活动。
据多国的大学校长介绍，他们各自的学校都已设立孔子学院，希望能通过此行，增进与中国的文化交流。
全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂
全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂
声音
肯尼亚内罗毕大学副校长姆贝奇：
肯尼亚在2005年就建立了孔子学院，并建立了完善的课程体系，按照本科生、硕士生、博士生分级，学生不但要学习中文，还要学习儒家文化。但比较 起来，贵阳孔学堂更新、更宏大，这里举行的成人礼等活动也十分吸引人。
澳大利亚新南威尔士大学校长弗里德里克·休默：
这可能是我看过的、有史以来最好的孔学建筑，与我所在大学里的孔子学院相比，这里的建筑更恢弘。在悉尼，学中文已成了一件很时尚的事，仅在我的学 校里，就有500多人学习中文。
英国爱丁堡大学校长提摩斯·奥谢：
7年前，爱丁堡大学有了孔子学院，现在已经有超过2000位学生在这里学习中文。早在1852年，英国爱丁堡大学便接收了第一位中国留学生，叫做 王宽（音），希望今后爱丁堡大学孔子学院有机会与贵阳孔学堂开展交流、合作。
巴西圣保罗州立大学孔子学院院长路易斯·安东尼奥·保利诺：
贵阳孔学堂非常漂亮、壮观，没想到在山水之间还隐藏了这样一片古色古香的建筑群。古代的孔子一定是在这样的环境下给学生上课的，希望下回还能来贵 阳做客。（周然 庞博）
(from dygz.yxgz.cn/guizhoulvyouzixun/2013/0731/153513.html )
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[poor machine translation:]

Completion of Guiyang first Confucius Classroom Confucius birthday

September 28,2012

WASHINGTON, Guiyang, 28 September (Reporter Wang Chao Anna)

28 September is the 2563-year old Confucius birthday, the first Confucius Classroom in Guiyang Huaxi Wetland Park was completed, the school set ritual, ceremony, classical education, Guoxue Tourism Forum, cultural industries and functions as a ‘public Guiyang friends about literature, reading classic study of Chinese culture, learning, I can appreciate the unique beauty of Huaxi Wetland Park.

The Guiyang Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, Deputy Minister, the Confucius Classroom Management Director Hou Nan told reporters Kong Xuetang functional orientation: ‘heritage and carry forward the Confucian Temple, enlightenment and open a new wind-base’ ritual, collection, research, enlightenment , six arts five basic functions, as far as possible, to the civil and moral education, ideological and moral education of minors and the public a wide range of spiritual and cultural needs. Xuetang Kong, to build a platform of Confucian Studies in Guiyang to meet, play features a respected Confucianism to promote the transfer of Chinese cultural exchange the results of the study of Confucianism, the Confucian heritage and dissemination. Worship, rituals, songs, recreation, tourism, culture, economy, and other functions as one of the community projects.

The school building complex covers an area of ​​130 hectares, with a total construction area of ​​nearly 20,000 square meters. Architectural design for the architectural features of the Han and Tang style. Taken the traditional interpretation of the type system was a vertical and two horizontal triaxial networking ‘trend. vertical axis is the ‘ceremony axis’, a symbol of the core ideas of Confucius’ Rites’ and’ benevolence ‘lattice Stargate, Dacheng Hall, Xingtan building two horizontal axis wind axis row axis’,’ wind axis’ a symbol of enlightenment thought of Confucius , lecture group who teach college Khe Sanh, Six Arts Xue Gong, wave ‘a symbol of wisdom and practice of Confucius, Xiangxian for discussion during the conference and scientists to give lectures and learning base. Temple, Yangming Temple, Cravens Court building for worship Guizhou, the ancient sages and celebrities collections Confucian culture classic.

Today can be the influence of Confucianism worldwide transmission of Chinese and Western cultures, so China. Been a mainstay traditional world Heiner, a respected nation Long to spread Rise of Confucianism traditional Chinese culture, deputy director of the Guizhou Provincial People’s Congress Gu have a positive view of the role of the great powers. (End)

(Original title: Guiyang first Confucius Classroom Confucius birthday completed

(from www.cool-news.us/news-1718211-Completion-of-Guiyang-first… )

全球12国大学校长参观贵阳孔学堂

 

贵阳孔学堂540人的“成人礼”
2013-05-05 09:06:59  贵网  进入贵社区   复制本文地址


540名学生进行“成人礼”宣誓

拜双亲父母，感谢养育之恩。

礼射活动

成人礼上，女孩行笄礼。

成人礼上，男孩行冠礼。

 

在孔学堂举办的成人礼上，正宾为参礼者加冠。

在孔学堂举办的成人礼上，正宾为参礼者加冠。

 

 

enjoying Guiyang – from Guizhou University – Office of International Relations website

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Guizhou University – Office of International Relations – enjoying Guiyang

enlarged image at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9605906417/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Guiyang

2011-12-07

Food in Guiyang mainly constitutes Qian cuisine and local snacks.
Qian (Guizhou) Cuisine tastes numb and spicy, which are two indispensable elements in Guiyang food. Numb refers to the condiment made from several spices and the spicy is mainly refined from the red pepper.

Recommended Local Dishes & Snacks
l Suan Tang Yu(sour soup fish)
Originated from Miao region, this dish has become a typical in Guiyang. You can have the dish at Kaili Sour Sour Fish Restaurant, No. 55, Shengfu Lu, Guiyang

l Si Wa Wa (vegetable strips wrapped in thin pancake)
The cheapest snack in Guiyang. Actually it is a thin pancake made of flour and stuffed with various vegetable strips such as the carrot, radish, celery and others.

l Chang Wang Mian (noodle soup)
The most popular snack in Guiyang. The name of Chang Wang implies pig gut like intestine and solidified blood. With a long history of more than 100 years, Chang Wang Mian has been highly-praised by the people of Guiyang.

l Doufu Guo (beancurd barbecued)
Another famous Guiyang snack. Beancurd blocks cooked on a piece of special-made metal on fire. The finished bean curd tastes excellent!

You can also give it a try to street stands that can be seen everywhere. You may by surprised by their local features.

Besides what mentioned above, foreign flavor like KFC, Pizza-Hut, Papa John’s as well as some Japanese and Korean restaurants are also available at downtown Guiyang.

Fun in Guiyang

Club, Bar & Cafe

SOHO Club
Address: F2, Sheng’an Hotel, Zhongshan Dong Lu
Cost estimation: CNY100/person

9 Ku Music Bar
Address: Cishan Xiang (Lane), Fushui Bei Lu
Cost estimation: CNY100/person

Lvdao (GreenIsland) Bar
Address: Yan’an Dong Lu
Cost estimation: CNY200/person

Shangri-La Bar
Address: Hequn Lu

Cafe
Master Morgan
Address: No.178, Hequn Lu
Zuo Ri Chong Xian
Address: on Shaanxi Lu, Guiyang

UBC Coffee
Address: No. 155, Ruijin Bei Lu, Guiyang

Victoria Coffee
Address: Xi Hu Lu

Theater & Cinema
Guiyang Grand Theater
Address: No.2, Shi Nan Lu

Renmin Theater
Address: No.79, Zhonghua Zhong Lu

Ginza Cinema (Yin Zuo Ying Cheng)
Address: Xiao Shi Zi

Shi Ji Xing Guang Cinema
Address: Xiao Shi Zi (opposite of Ginza Cinema)

Tour in Guiyang

· Jiaxiu Pavilion: A landmark and symbol of Guiyang, it is situated on Fuyu Bridge over the Nanming River. Originally built during the Ming dynasty in 1598, the tower is not only magnificent and unique but also of great cultural significance in Guiyang. It was built to encourage the scholars studying for the honorable imperial examination. The tower is a three-storey building rising 20 meters (66 feet) high. It is an elaborate combination of green tiles, red pillars, engraved windows and white stone parapets. It is even more beautiful at night as it lights up with lanterns. Most visitors come to see the exhibitions of the calligraphy pieces, woodcrafts and stone tablets inscribed with poems.
Entrance fee:20 RMB around
Opening Hours:8:10 – 21:30
Bus routes:4, 15, 52, 62 …

· Qianling park（黔灵公园） :Large of 426 hectares, the park is very easily accessible from downtown and is made up of forest-covered mountains, Qianling lake, the majestic Hongfu temple (Zen Buddhist temple), Kylin Cave, etc. It is also famous for its large population of macaques (more than 500 individuals) which roam about the park.
Entrance fee:5RMB
Opening Hours:6:10 – 22:00
Bus routes:1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 16, 23, 25, 46, 51, 53

· Wenchang Pavilion（文昌阁）: It and the old city walls around it have been beautifully refurbished and the pavilion now houses a very popular local teahouse.

· Guizhou Museum: It covers local history and customs with some 30,000 cultural relics and more than 10,000 animal and plant samples. It is presently being renovated to better accommodate the large collection.
Entrance fee:0CNY to be verified
Opening Hours:To be verified
Bus routes:20, 22, 72

· Walk along the Nanming River: The riverside is paved and is lined with trees and plants and a walk along it, is a simple yet relaxing way to discover Guiyang. Some of the most interesting views are around the Jiaxiu Pavilion.

Hongfeng Lake (Red Maple Lake)
On the border of Qingzhen and Pingba Counties, Hongfeng Lake is a state-class scenic spot. Scattered throughout the lake are 178 islands. Hongfeng Lake is divided into four parts with different characteristics, including the North, the South, the Middle and the Rear Lake. North Lake is known for a lot of gorgeous islands; the South is famous for many unique caves; the Middle is characterized by its wide glittering water; the Rear boasts many elegant bays.

Copyright © 2009 Office of International Relations,Guizhou University. All Rights Reserved
address: Huaxi Guiyang Guizhou, P.R. China Postcode：550025 Tel：+86-0851-8291038 8292749 Fax：+86-0851-3621381

(from oir.gzu.edu.cn/topic/english/article?id=1572 )

Peace Corps English teachers in Guizhou at play

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Peace Corps teachers in Guizhou at play

uploaded at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9608582824/sizes/l/in/photostream/

images from

from skylantzwagner.blog.com, www.sasha-digiulian.com/blog/page/6
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Peace Corps China
My Life as a Complex Adaptive System

Guiyang get-together

2010 September 20, Posted by sky

Last weekend my site mate, Kate, and I went to Guizhou’s capital, Guiyang, for a new volunteer welcome party. I had to work until 4:30 on Friday and we caught the 6:00 bus out of Tongren. The ride took about 5 1/2 hours, but really wasn’t too bad. We got in around 11:30 and caught a cab to where some of our cohort was hanging out. We had a few drinks and then I headed over to my friend’s apartment to catch up on things and crash.

The next day was non-stop action. We got up, had some breakfast, and went back to the bus station to get return tickets. From there we went out of the city to a Peace Corps site to play hoops. We had about 18 guys, which was perfect. We had 3 teams of 6, and each game was only 5 points. This gave our out-of-shape bodies time to rest before getting back out for another round. Two hours on the court flew by, but by the end we were all pretty exhausted and went back to our respective apartments to shower and rest.

The evening was as eventful as the afternoon. We all met downtown at which point we divided into different groups for dinner. Some of us went for pizza, others for Muslim food, and still others, including me, went to bean hot pot. Bean hot pot is much different from the fire-like hot pot from Chengdu. It is much more mellow and, as the name suggests, they put pinto beans (or something like them) in the broth. The general idea is the same: you cook raw ingredients in the soup, transfer them to your bowl to cool, and then eat them. At the end, however, you have the beans at the bottom, that when you put over a bowl of rice, is nothing short of manna from the gods. Wow, is that stuff good! I think it is my favorite food in China, so far.

After dinner we all met at a bar that the China 15s rented for the evening. The bar had a dance floor inside and a balcony with a beautiful view outside. We chatted and danced and had an overall great time. We left by 1 and I came back to David’s place to watch the Bulldogs lose again. Sigh. It was 3:00 by the time I went to be and I am still a little tired from all the excitement. The good news is that we have Wednesday through Friday off and I am looking forward to the rest.
(from skylantzwagner.blog.com/2010/09/20/guiyang-get-together/ )


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Petzl RocTrip 2011: Getu Valley, China
Monday, 7 November, 2011

I just returned from the Getu Valley in China, where I was staying for 2 weeks for the Petzl RocTrip. This trip was one of the most unique journeys I’ve ever experienced. I had never traveled to Asia before, and therefore that element alone was new and exciting. China is different from the US in so many ways, from most significantly the language, to the food, to the overall way of life. On October 22 I flew from Denver to Guiyang with Emily Harrington, Joe Kinder, Collette McInnery, Dave Graham, Andrew Bisharat and Lynne Hill. We arrived in Guiyang October 24 (I stepped on the plane 18, and stepped off the plane having turned 19 .. 🙂 )

The trip was long but actually really fun because we were all super psyched to arrive to this unknown, unfamiliar place. Once in Guiyang we met up with a bunch of other Petzl travelers from different parts of the world and we all boarded a bus which shuttled us 4 hours outside of the already rural city of Guiyang to the real out-country of China: Getu Valley!

Huge limestone arches and rolling rice-paddy mountains surrounded our base in Getu Valley. Petzl rented out a hotel for the athletes to stay at and eat at during the trip and the rooms were more luxurious than we anticipated. Emily and I shared a room that was basic but nice. The hotel lacked comforts like hot water though, so we had to get used to cold showers, but we adjusted to this! We also just got pretty dirty and stopped caring about frivolous luxuries like hot showers and clean clothes… Though now that I just took a nice hot shower here in Colorado, I realize how much I missed it!

Climbing in the Getu Valley was very different as well. The rock was limestone and the main place that we climbed at was called the “Great Arch.” To approach this sector we first took a boat across a river, then we had to hike up 1,400 steps which was probably the coolest approach I’ve ever encountered on a climbing trip. From the Great Arch we could look out over the valley and see the surrounding mountains and stupendous cliffs rising from the river below.

During the RocTrip it was really inspiring to climb with so many motivated, well-established climbers from all over; China, USA, France, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey, and more. There were also many spectators, organizers, photographers, and videographers.

(from www.sasha-digiulian.com/blog/page/6 )

Grandma’s Kitchen 祖母的厨房

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Grandma’s Kitchen 祖母的厨房, Nanguo Huajin Bldg,B-level,108 Zhonghua Middle Rd, 中华中路108号南国花锦B1楼

larger image at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9606101983/sizes/l/in/photostream/

reviews in English at: www.cfguide.com/servshow/Grandmas-Kitchen_52103.htm ; Chinese reviews at:www.dianping.com/shop/4620757

经常来这里吃几乎能吃的都吃过了吧。总体来说满意。炒饭类是性价比最低的且口味不佳。汉堡不错，分量大还有薯条，口味绝对比麦当劳什么好多了，三明治 也不错，pizza很划算，饮料的话建议还是算了吧。三文鱼沙拉也好吃。[includes a comparison—favorable—to McDonald’s]

comfort food, Guiyang

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comfort food, Guiyang     see larger image at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98531730@N02/9608588704/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Best western restaurants in Guiyang :

1. Grandma’s Kitchen
2. Kempinski Buffet
3. Sheraton Hotel
4. Ramada’s Aroma Cafe
5. Highlands Coffee

(from goguiyang.weebly.com/western-food.html )
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Grandma’s Kitchen 祖母的厨房,B-level,108 Zhonghua Middle Rd

Highlands Coffee, www.highlands-coffee.com, contact: Chris DeLong, highlandscoffee@hotmail.com

Brother John’s Pizzeria & Cafe 约翰兄弟披萨餐厅, (0851) 363 6080, 137 6517 7352, John Jiang Bo 江波, Johnmrta@163.com, address: Qiaotou, Pingqiao, Huaxi District, Guiyang 贵阳市花溪区平桥桥头

good list of Guiyang’s
Western-style restaurants: www.cfguide.com/guiyang/westernfood/list_1.htmd

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other foreign restaurant-related & Chinese restaurant chains, not necessarily in Guiyang:

KFC vs. KFG, also 啃他鸡  “ken ta ji” (in the sign at left  in traditional characters) – rhymes with “ken de ji” 肯德基, the Chinese name of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kentucky the state is 肯塔基州 “ken ta ji zhou”), and means ‘Eat （knaw on) his chicken’

McDonald’s 麦当劳，KFC 肯德基 ，Pizza Hut 必胜客 = 麦基客   – Chinese creativity

 

KFC 肯德基 look-a-likes in China：FBC, KFG, KLG, MFC

But that’s not the only fake KFC in China…

Here are four of the many others — FBC, KFG, KLG and MFC. Basically, they just threw any combo of three English letters at the wall and chose what stuck. It’s like when American teenagers get random Chinese character tattoos.

from “11 Ridiculous Fast Food Chain Ripoffs In China”
January 24, 2012 , by Sam Greenspan , http://www.11points.com/Food-Drink/11_Ridiculous_Fast_Food_Chain_Ripoffs_In_China

Starbucks Coffee vs. “Star Fucks Coffe” (sic) – Chinese creativity

Starbucks Coffee vs. “Bucksstar Coffee”  – Chinese creativity

McDonald’s vs. McDuck / Mak Dak – Chinese creativity

McDonalds vs. “McMcDnoald’s” (sic) – Three arches ! – Chinese creativity

McDonalds 麦当劳 vs. Michael Alone 麦当家 with upside down (McDonald’s Golden Arches) – Chinese creativity

Back in October, this KFC ripoff in Beijing made itself an “OFC,” for “Obama Fried Chicken.” Probably not the best move when you’re infringing on major international copyrights. This drew enough attention that they ended up changing their name to “UFO.” Still using KFC colors, fonts and styles, still ripping off their menu — but now they’re taunting aliens instead of the U.S. The Vegas line would be *tight* on which one of those will attack China first.  (from “11 Ridiculous Fast Food Chain Ripoffs In China”January 24, 2012 , by Sam Greenspan www.11points.com/Food-Drink/11_Ridiculous_Fast_Food_Chain_Ripoffs_In_China )

KFC vs. DFC – Dainty Fried Chicken – Chinese creativity

KFC vs. KGC – Chinese creativity

KFC 肯德基 vs. Ji‘a’po 吉阿婆 麻辣烫- Chinese creativity
photo

KFC 肯德基 vs. FNC 芙蓉基 – Chinese creativity
photo

KFC 肯德基 vs. MFC 麦肯基 – Chinese creativity

KFC 肯德基 vs. CBC 佳佳基 – Chinese creativity
photo

KFC’s Col. Sanders vs. Ronald Kernel Sanders – Chinese creativity

McDonald’s 麦当劳，KFC 肯德基 = Maikenji 麦肯基

Pizza Hut vs. “Pizza Huh” (sic) – Chinese creativity

Pizza Hut  必胜客 vs. 必胜比萨站 – Chinese creativity

 

McDonald’s 麦当劳 vs. 麦德堡 – Chinese creativity

McDonald’s 麦当劳 vs. Mike 麦克- Chinese creativity

McDonald’s 麦当劳 vs. Mao Ji 汉堡 – Chinese creativity

McDonald’s vs. Mini Dog (正宗美国热狗, transl. “real American hot dogs”) – Chinese creativity

Burger King vs. King Burger- Chinese creativity

Burger King vs. “Cheese Burger” 芝士堡 – Chinese creativity

Dairy Queen 冰雪皇后 – DQ  vs. Dairy Fairy冰雪精灵     – Chinese creativity

Not everything is knockoff in imitation outlets. At Dairy Fairy, a national franchise chain that opened in 2008, ice cream, including the Blizzard-like “Ice Storm,” is served upside-down, just like at Dairy Queen, which has 360 stores in China. Cups are marked with “DF” in red and blue, resembling the colors Dairy Queen uses and its “DQ” nickname. Dairy Fairy employees are donned in blue uniforms with red aprons—nearly a mirror image of Dairy Queen employees. But at a Dairy Fairy in Beijing on Tuesday, the menu also included items that one wouldn’t find at a DQ, such as spicy-pepper-flavored ice cream.

Dairy Fairy declined to comment and didn’t offer details on the number of stores it operates in China. Dairy Queen vice president of international marketing Justin Holtkamp said the company isn’t aware of Dairy Fairy, but that it has other imitators, who just use the company’s name or call it “Dairy & Queen.” Dairy Queen has shut down two stores that infringed its trademark within the last year, he said.

from Made in China: Fake Stores
Imitators Offer Own Versions of IKEA, Dairy Queen Down to the Tiniest Details
By LAURIE BURKITT And LORETTA CHAO
August 3, 2011, Wall Street Journal, http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424053111904292504576484080863377102

fakes of Starbucks, Haagen-Dazs, Cartier, Chanel

KFC 肯德基 and restaurants it has inspired in China： 吉阿婆 Ji A Po Malatang (spicy soup); 李先生 Li Xiansheng / Mr. Li

= = =

legit Chinese restaurant chains:

Pizza Fun 欢乐比萨 – in Guiyang

豪享来 Haoxianglai restaurants – Chinese restaurant chains (and in Guiyang)

豪客来 Houcaller steak restaurants – Chinese restaurant chains (and in Guiyang)

 

真功夫 Zhen Gong Fu (with Bruce Lee 李小龙 logo) – Chinese restaurant chains

上岛咖啡西餐厅 – Chinese restaurant chains

Babela’s Kitchen 巴贝拉 (Italian food)– Chinese restaurant chains

Saizeriya 萨莉亚意式餐厅  (Italian)– Chinese restaurant chains

华莱士 Hua Lai Shi (chicken) – Chinese restaurant chains

rbt 仙踪林 (xian zong lin) – Chinese restaurant chains

Goubuli Dumplings 狗不理包子 – Chinese restaurant chains .

Quanjude Beijing Duck 全聚德北京烤鸭 – Chinese restaurant chains

Da Niang Dumpling 大娘水饺 – Chinese restaurant chains

美国加州牛肉面大王 California Beef Noodle King – Chinese restaurant chains  (not really “American” )

Panda Express – Chinese food restaurants in the US  美国的中餐连锁餐馆

 

 = = =

for snack food lovers:

foreign snacks in China Lay’s 乐事, Zero Coke 零度可乐 （可口可乐）, Snickers 士力架, Dove 德芙

foreign brands in China: Coca Cola 可口克拉, Pepsi 百事可乐, Lay’s potato chips 乐事,Kraft 卡夫, Walmart 沃尔玛, Subway 赛百味

What’s In A Brand Name? Chinese Brand Names Of Multinationals

Pick your Chinese brand name carefully…

from http://www.hutong-school.com/brand-name-multinationals-china ,
2013 May 7, by Haike Bruneel, Sales & Marketing Officer

After enjoying your “sparrow’s nest coffee” while smoking your “10 000 treasure road”, you drive your “treasured horse” to the nearest “family blessing”.

Choosing a Chinese brand name

Meaning: after having your Nescafé coffee and smoking your Marlboro cigarette, you drive your BMW to the nearest Carrefour.

There are many funny examples of where multinational companies have used Chinese names, with the result looking like they’re lost in translation. They may seem weird to foreign ears, but for native Chinese, they zing like music. What’s more, they often give a new meaning to the original name. (Cartoon © Zhang Chengliang / China Daily)

This is what we’ll be talking about:
• Why is having a Chinese name important for foreign businesses?
• Chinese brand names unfolded
• Renaming your brand, piece of cake?
•When companies don’t partake in the name changing game
• Does your brand name really influence success?
• Same story for Chinese brands

Why is having a Chinese name important for foreign businesses?

Two major reasons:

– It helps with penetrating the Chinese market. For sure, how were you otherwise planning on conquering the huge Chinese market when its consumers can’t even pronounce, let alone remember, your brand name?
– Names are really important in China and more precisely the meaning it represents. Having a meaningful name will make your brand look much more appealing.

Chinese brand names unfolded

When a foreign company chooses a Chinese brand name, there are several possibilities:

1. Literal translation

Using this approach, the disadvantage is that in most cases the new Chinese name doesn’t sound similar to the original brand’s name. These companies will need to spend marketing time and money on building brand awareness and building the association between their original brand name and the Chinese character trade mark.

Examples:

Chinese NamePronounciation (pinyin)Meaning
Apple苹果PíngguǒPíngguǒ: apple
Palmolive纵览ZōnglǎnZōng:palm
Lǎn: olive
Microsoft微软WēiruǎnWēi: micro
Ruǎn: soft
Volkswagen大众汽车Dàzhòng qìchēDàzhòng: public, all
Qìchē:car

2. Phonetic translation

A phonetic translation of a company’s brand name is only beneficial when that company already has a reputation in the Chinese market.

Examples:

Chinese NamePronounciationMeaning
Kraft 卡夫KǎfuKǎ: card
Fu: husband
Wal-Mart 沃尔玛Wò’ērmǎWò: fertile
Ēr: suffix often used in names to indicate the sound [-l], [-el]
Mǎ: mary
Dior迪奥Dí’àoDí: enlighten, guide
Ào: profound and difficult to understand
McDonald’s麦当劳MàidāngláoMài: general term for wheat, barley, oats, etc.
Dāng: to serve as, or to be used as
Láo: to work

Kraft Subway Walmart

3. Combination of literal and phonetic translation

Most companies opt for a combination of both. Having a phonetic translation so your brand name sounds (more or less) the same in Chinese with preferably well-chosen Chinese characters that have a positive meaning and can also describe the company or product.

Examples are numerous:

Chinese NamePronounciationMeaning
Nestlé雀巢咖啡Quècháo kāfēi
Què: sparrow
Cháo: nest
Kāfēi: coffee
Meaning: Sparrow’s Nest Coffee

Marlboro万宝路WànbǎolùWàn: 10 000
Bǎo: treasure
Lù: street, path
Meaning: 10 000 Treasure Road
BMW宝马BǎomǎBǎo: treasure
Mǎ: horse
Meaning: Treasured Horse
Mercedez Benz 奔驰BēnchíBēn: run fast
Chí: go quickly
Meaning: Dashing Speed
Jaguar捷豹JiébàoJié: win, victory
Bào: leopard, panther
Meaning: Swifting Panther
Coca-Cola可口可乐KěkǒukělèKěkǒu: delicous
Kělè: happiness
Meaning: Delicious & Happiness
Subway赛百味Sài bǎiwèiSài: To surpass, to excel
Bǎi: 100
Wèi: flavour
Meaning: Filled with One Hundred Flavours
Carrefour家乐福JiālèfúJiā: family
Lè: happy
Fú: prosperous
Meaning: Family Blessing
Lexus雷克萨斯LéikèsàsīLéi: thunder
Kè: to overcome with victory
Sà: filler sound that appears in many words like 萨萨 (sàsà ), the sound the leaves make when it’s windy.
Sī: phonetic element
Meaning: All the above results in a wild sounding ride, doesn’t it?
Pepsi百事可乐BǎishìkělèBǎi: 100
Shì: matter, thing
Kělè: happiness
Meaning: A Hundred Happy Things
Lay’s 乐事LèshìLè: happiness
Shì: matter, thing
Meaning: Happy Event

Coca Cola Lays Pepsi
Pay attention to:

– When going for a phonetic translation, companies need to make sure the Chinese name sounds the same as their original brand name
– Chinese brand names must be easy to remember
– Meaning should describe the product or brand in a positive way

Renaming your brand, piece of cake?

As mentioned above, your Chinese brand name should not be taken very lightly. However, foreign companies most likely lack knowledge of Chinese language or mostly don’t have an in-house Chinese language expert.

This results in the growing popularity of consulting companies specialized in renaming foreign brands.

When companies don’t partake in the name changing game

Some companies decided to not have a Chinese brand name when entering the market. By doing this, they want to stress their exclusivity. However, these brands have picked up nicknames along the way given by the general public.

Examples:

Chinese NamePronounciationMeaning
Quaker Oatmeal* 老人牌Lǎorén pái“Old Man Brand”, name based on logo
Ralph Lauren三脚马Sānjiǎo mǎ“Three Legged Horse”, name based on logo
*Quaker Oatmeal has in the meantime adopted a Chinese brand name: 桂格Guì Gé, which literally means “Cinamon Standard”.

Does your brand name really influence success?

Hard to define.
However, here are a few examples that might indicate a relation between a brand’s name and its success in a certain market.

– Mercedes Benz and BMW are both big car companies in China. Benz’s Chinese name holds the meaning of ‘dashing speed’, while BMW means ‘treasure horse’. ‘Dashing speed’ holds a more masculine connotation, while ‘treasure’ is a feminine trait. BMW is among the leading sellers to wealthy Chinese women.” (Li & Shoostari, 2003)

Did-you-know: There is also a local variant for BMW: 别摸我 (Bié Mō Wǒ), which literally means ‘Don’t Touch Me’.

– Search engine Bing has found it difficult to break through the Chinese market. Bing sounds similar to the Chinese word for ‘illness’ 病 (bìng). Although it’s official Chinese name is 必应 (bì yìng), which means ‘very certain to respond’, the resemblance of its original brand name with illness is hard to compete against.

– Best Buy, 百思买(bǎisīmǎi) In Chinese this means ‘Think 100 times before you buy’ , not the best name for a retail store, isn’t it? The company has been closed down.

Of course, these are not all scientific facts, but it nevertheless gives us some food for thought. Moreover, it’s hard to believe that Chinese people wouldn’t pay attention to the characters any company chooses to use in its brand name.

Same story for Chinese brands

It works the other way around as well. Nowadays, local Chinese firms must also engage in a name changing game as they want to gain more international awareness.

Top 100 Brands of ChinaFor instance, Jiànlìbǎo, a Chinese domestic soft drink brand, had difficulties breaking through on the international market as foreign consumers had a hard time pronouncing its name.

Also, a recent study by HD Trade Services shows that a vast majority (94%!) of Americans can’t name even one Chinese brand. This indicates once more that adjusting your brand name to the market is beneficial, if not necessary. (Image © Ads of China)

A small recap

Chinese brand name is not only a game important for foreign companies. When those companies decide to penetrate the Chinese market, they can rely on the expertise of brand naming companies. Only a minority has a single phonetic meaning, whereas most companies opt for meaning in their brand name, mostly stressing the product’s benefits.

Next time someone is talking to you about riding his “swift panther”, don’t frown your eyebrows in huge wonder, they’re most likely talking about their new Jaguar.