It does appear different on the inside

The news is always different from where you hear it. From the outside, one could get the impression that rampant piracy was a systemic problem in China. I'll grant you that you do find the fake Guccis, and Pradas, but to suggest that the entire system is in on the scam is ridiculous. It doesn't appear to be like that, at least from where I am inside.

Over the past few days, I've seen several television programs that have discussed the issue of intellectual property (IP). One was BBC Hardtalk-style interview with an IP lawyer and a college professor. The other was an Oprah Winfrey-style talkshow, which featured a stories of dedicated IP officers determined to stamp this problem out. There was an interesting segment where the host actually asked several kids to identify authentic goods ( ) and fake goods ( ). There were even several music celebrities on hand to push the cause.

Furthermore, and this was news to me, China's patent office is one of the most active in the world, and is fast becoming the world's largest. China appears seems well aware that safeguarding the rights of creative people, whether it be in the arts or the sciences, is key to its cultural and economic future.

Ok lecture over! Woot!!

I present to you the world's longest buffet! From a somewhat cheezy Brazilian-German place near the university. Yes, Brazilian-German you heard it right, but with Chinese, Japanese and Korean as well! You cannot go hungry in this country!!

Brazilian style buffet. The meats are much oiler and sweeter than usual. Chinese style I guess.

Beer is brewed here. Very very very light beer.

Waitresses dressed in German-styled clothes.

A video to give you a sense of how long the buffet line was. There is wisdom in the adage "More is less".