Red China, Red Fun
 

Artists dressed as Chinese ghost bride and bridegroom at the Hong Kong Ocean Park Sept 16, in preparation for the largest Halloween event to be held in Oct.

Chairman of the British Film Institute Anthony Minghella stands in front of a giant sculptural head entitled of Supense,in London Sept 16.

2 Japanese and Chinese weapons experts prepare to examine poison gas shells in a pit at Luquan in northern China's Hebei province Friday Sept. 12, 2003. Japanese and Chinese experts spent Friday dismantling some of a stockpile of 52 poison gas shells that were found in 1991. The shells are part of an estimated 700,000 artillery shells, bombs and other weapons loaded with chemical agents left in China after World War II.

3 Chinese entertainers perform during an underwear show at a shopping mall in Shenyang, the capital of China's northeastern province of Liaoning, September 14, 2003. Gone are the days when shopping for underwear was considered an embarrassing chore for Chinese women. Now, with bras and underpants in all cuts and colors displayed in shop windows, buying lingerie is considered fashionable in China.

4 Two breeders carry a baby panda named Lan Bao onto a wagon heading for its future residence of Lanzhou Zoo, at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. Weighing 23 kilograms, the baby panda Lan Bao, born on Aug. 23, 2002, is successfully bred by taking advantage of the propagation technology in the center as a local female panda Shu Lan got mated with a wild male panda Ha Lan captured by the Zoo of Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province.

8 Frontier guards show their special skills during a military exercise in Fuzhou, capital of east China's Fujian Province on Sept. 14. More than 200 officers and soldiers participated in the drill, demonstrating their comprehensive skills of shooting, hunting and arresting criminals.

9 Inventor Wang Zhenfu rides his mechanical horse at a toy exhibition in Beijing Monday, Sept. 15, 2003. The horse, which is powered by the rider's legs and swivels in the middle to turn like a horse, is being sold in China for 3,500 yuan (US$423). Wang, from coastal Qingdao city, was inspired by a story about famous former prime minister Zhu Geliang, of the Shu Kingdom (221-263 AD), who invented a wooden mechanical horse to transport crops.

1 German President Johannes Rau gestures during his speech at a luncheon reception hosted by Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa at Government House, September 16, 2003. Rau flew into Hong Kong on Monday following a state visit to the Chinese mainland .

China mobilizes to save lives from suicide
 

A man whose name is unknown climbs onto a 4-meter-high steel frame on Huan Shi Dong Lu, Guangzhou, in the afternoon of September 12, with an attempt to commit suicide. After four hours' persuasion by the police, the man was finally rescued. Figures from Guangzhou 120 First Aid Medical Headquarters showed that, during the period of 1:49 a.m. to 3:12 p.m., September 13, it received reports of even suicide cases.

Oxfam's G8 leaders!
 

Members of the British non-governmental organization Oxfam lampoon leaders of the G8 countries (L-R) Jean Chretien of Canada, Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, Gerhard Schroeder of Germany, Tony Blair of Great Britain, Jacques Chirac of France and George Bush of the USA) during an event held on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun September 14.

Members of the British non-governmental organization Oxfam lampoon leaders of the G8 countries, from left to right, (Gerhard Schroeder of Germany, Jean Chretien of Canada, Jacques Chirac of France, Tony Blair of Great Britain, Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, Silvio Berlusconi of Italy, and George Bush of the USA) during an event held on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun, September 14, 2003. Oxfam is trying to illustrate the G8's failure to listen to voices urging them to rewrite the rules of international trade. REUTERS

A young Uygur acrobat uses her mouth to balance herself on a pole as she spins rugs during a performance for tourists in Urumqi, the capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, September 11, 2003. The ancient city of Urumqi, which was on the Silk Road trade route¡£

A young Uygur acrobat performs for tourists in Urumqi, the capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, September 11, 2003. The ancient city of Urumqi, which was on the Silk Road trade route, is now a major financial and industrial centre in northwest China.

A folk dancer wears a traditional mask during a performance at a festival in Leh, 434 Kms (270 miles) northeast of Srinagar, summer capital of the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir September 12, 2003. The month of September is a predominantly cultural period in Leh when Buddhist artists and traditional folk dancers take part in performances that are based on their traditional heritage.

China is truly joining the ways of the West.

Chinese lingerie models. Thought I'd never see such a thing. At least not modeling undergarments that were colors other than olive drab in styles other than "sensible."

I'd be interested in knowing more about Halloween in China. I thought that was purely a Western holiday. What, if any, celebrations are held? Is it a Christian festival (the eve of all saints day) or is it a festival honoring the ancestors, as in pagan religions? (or is it an excuse to dress up in costumes and collect candy or have parties?)

You fuckers are different.

Then again, so are Americans:

Wanna play dentist?

That attachment didn't really work but it sure sounds interesting.

The shot of the rubberlike kid balancing on her tongue while spinning rugs has made my day. (And I think my job can be wierd.) Thanks Billy.

I would just like to mention that Billy is very, very good at finding interesting pictures to post.

Thanks, Billy!

Balancing your entire weight on your mouth has to be uncomfortable, I think...

I suspect "suspense" is Alfred Hitchcock.:)

I like share joy with friends
 

I need your feedback, of course I like your fun post.

An anti-hijacking drill was held this morning at the Beijing Capital International Airport where more than 350 armed police of a special anti-terrorism squad "killed a terrorist" and "seized two others." All of the "passenger hostages" were "freed." The excercise -- the largest of its kind held in Beijing -- tests the emergency response capability to airborne terrorist acts. [newsphoto.com.cn]

Anti-hijacking drill in Beijing
 

Healthcare workers treat an 'injured passengers' in an anti-hijacking drill at Beijing Capital International Airport. [newsphoto.com.cn]

Panda cub in San Diego Zoo
 

San Diego Zoo veterinarians Karen Kearns (right) and Karen Lisi perform a routine health exam on the Zoo's male panda cub, at the SBC Giant Panda Research Station, September 18, 2003. The Zoo vets determined the cub's health to be in great shape as they checked his heart rate and collected body measurements. The unnamed cub currently weighs 34 ounces and is 11.5 inches long.

Hope you recognize the friendship between the U.S. and China When you see Grant Panada.

Meg Sutherland-Smith, senior veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo, applies a stethoscope to the zoo's three-week-old panda during a routine examination on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 at the SBC Giant Panda Research Station. The zoo's veterinary staff conducted its second exam on the cub and confirmed that it is a male, saying the panda now weighs 19 ounces, measures 10 inches long and is in very good health.

Bai Yun, the San Diego Zoo's female giant panda, cradles her new born cub (within yellow square) in the panda birthing den August 19, 2003. Bai Yun made world history in August, 1999 when she gave birth to Hua Mei, the first giant panda cub to be born and survive in the United States.

Contestants wear 'Qi Pao', or traditional dress, during the final rehearsal for the Miss China beauty pageant in Sanya on Hainan Island in Southern China September 20, 2003. The winner represents China in the Miss World beauty pageant to be held in Sanya in November.

US Navy guided-missile ships visit China
 

Chief of Staff of PLA Navy's Southern Fleet Hou Yuexi (L) and US Navy commodore James Kelly (R) inspect Chinese honor of guards at the Zhanjiang Port in southern China's Guangdong Province Monday, Sept. 22, 2003. Two U.S. guided-missile ships, the USS Cowpens and USS Vandegrift, started a five-day friendly visit to the port Monday. It is the first time that foreign Navy ships have been allowed to visit the Chinese Navy in Zhanjiang since the People's Republic of China was found in 1949. [newsphoto.com.cn]

A pupil presents floral bouquet to James Kelly, who headed two US Navy ships, the USS Cowpens and USS Vandegrift, upon their arrival at the Zhanjiang port in south China's Guangdong Province Monday, Sept. 22, 2003.

USS Cowpens and USS Vandegrift, arrive at the Zhanjiang port in south China's Guangdong Province Monday, Sept. 22, 2003, to kick off their five days' visit to the port.

Fashion with a tang
 

THE lone international brand named after Shanghai has finally arrived in the city itself. Shanghai Tang launches its first store, at 59 Maoming Nanlu, from this month.

The name, Shanghai Tang, translates into English as "The Bund", the historic embarkment in Shanghai fabled for its European architecture and known as the birthplace of 1930s glamour.

Raphael le Masne de Chermont, chairman of Shanghai Tang, explained how the name was inspired by the Shanghai of the 1930s whose charm competed with that of London and Paris.

Shanghai Tang's products combine traditional Chinese design and motifs with tongue-in-cheek humour and a contemporary sensibility. The result is a vibrant and witty fusion of "East meets West".

For this season, autumn/winter 2003, the theme of the designs is the "Miao Hinterland", inspired by the Miao nationality's traditional costumes. Colourful embroidery, glamorous ornamentation on the sleeves and deep blue colour takes the leading roles in the collection.

Long black dupioni silk coats embroidered with cloud patterns combined with fringed red scarves, suede shirt-jackets with leather trim, topstitched cotton coats with wide red floral-printed borders belted with peony-printed silk and velvet scarves, denim coats trimmed with ribbons and sequins with welt seams - all these pieces reflect a meeting of East and West.

For men, the Tang jackets are the most prominent items in the line. The Tang jacket resulted from the evolution of two traditional Chinese garments, both first worn during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). By the 1940s, what we now know as the Tang jacket became prevalent for all classes in China. Compared with the ancient style, the sleeves had become longer and wider, sometimes boasting detachable white cuffs. Patch pockets were added and the number of frog buttons became standard at seven. This jacket was worn with matching pants.

Shanghai Tang continues and innovates the tradition of the Tang jacket by offering this iconic garment in an unprecedented array of fabrics and unexpected, vibrant colour combinations.

Miss China beauty pageant
 

Beauty queen Guan Qi wears her crown after becoming the new Miss China September 21, 2003. The 21-year-old from Jilin Province in Northeast China took part in the finals of the beauty pageant in Sanya, Hainan Province. Guan will represent China now in the Miss World pageant finals to be held in Sanya in December.

Beauty queen Guan Qi (centre), and runner-up Song Bingjie (right), second runner-up Liu Lina pose for a photo.

Guan Qi is crowned by last year's Miss China Wu Yingna.

Beauty queen Guan Qi in Miss China beauty contest.

72nd anniversary of Japanese invasion to China
 

Students hold a banner that reads "Remembering History and Treasuring Peace" in front of the Museum of the Anti-Japanese War in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, September 18, 2003. Today is the 72nd anniversary of the "September 18th Incident," when Japanese troops launched a sudden attack on the Chinese army in Shenyang.

On the evening 10:20 of September 18, 1931, the Japanese Kanto Army blew up the Liutiaohu Railway of the South Manchuria Railway in Shenyang, northen China, yet they fabricated that Chinese army did it. Under this excuse, they cannoned Beidaying Battalion of the Northeast Army of Kuomintang, and attacked Shenyang, launched the "Huanggutun Incident" which shocked China and the whole world. This is the historical "9.18 Incident", which resulted in Japan's massive invasion in Northeastern China and later the whole country in 1937.

Broken Calendar Monument for "9.18 Incident" built in 1991 in Shenyang.

Chinese civilians killed by Japanese soldiers in "9.18 Incident".

Billy, #4 won so tell #12 I'd love to console her.;)

As for 9-18, the Japanese have a habit of sneak attacks. They did it to the Russians and to the US also.:(

Billy, you post such interesting pictures and I love reading your commentary. I know you have said before that you have difficulty with the English language and I think you do very well with it, but I often find myself giggling at your words. Most of the time I can understand what you're trying to say. I am NOT making fun of you at all, but just letting you know I really enjoy reading and seeing your posts. In this thread I had to laugh at the "underware show". These may not be your words, but they struck me as funny. I also got a laugh from the "Frontier guards...demonstrating their comprehensive skills of shooting, hunting and arresting criminals". Once again I don't know if these are your words, but I wish we could "hunt" and "shoot" criminals here in the USA. It might reduce the paperwork associated with just "arresting" them like we're supposed to do;) .

Well, with the "undies shows", beauty pagents, and Pandas, it sure does look like East has finally met West.:)

Sometimes not mine
 

Sometimes I post it my own words, others I copy from the China English newspaper. I don't have time enough to write becasue I surf Internet in cyber cafe. I can not waste too much time in it.

Strong earthquake in Japan
 

Workers clear debris at Kushiro Airport terminal on the northern main island of Hokkaido, Japan after it was shaken by powerful earthquakes September 26, 2003. A series of earthquakes jolted Hokkaido early on Friday, injuring more than 230 people, causing widespread damage and blackouts and prompting officials to issue tidal wave warnings.

Books are scattered across the floor at a bookshop after strong quakes in Obihiro, northern Japan, September 26, 2003. A series of powerful earthquakes jolted the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido early on Friday, injuring more than 160 people, causing widespread damage and blackouts and prompting officials to issue tidal wave warnings.

Black smoke billows out of an oil storage facility at a refinery in Tomakomai on the northern main island of Hokkaido, Japan after powerful earthquakes hit the island September 26, 2003. The quakes injured more than 160 people, caused widespread damage and blackouts and prompted officials to issue tidal wave warnings.

Japanese firemen extinguish a blaze at an oil facility after a series of powerful earthquakes in Tomakomai, the city of northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, September 26, 2003. Japan's Meteorogical Agency measured the initial quake at 8.0 on the Richter scale -- powerful enough to cause significant damage -- and it warned residents of aftershocks.

Hong Kong actress and singer Anita Mui appears at a Hong Kong hotel Monday, Sept. 22, 2003 to promote a concert she will be holding in Hong Kong. Mui disclosed earlier that she was suffering from cervic cancer.

A sumo referee smiles with a crying baby reaching out her arms to her mother during a baby crying contest at Koyasu shrine in Hachioji on the outskirts of Tokyo September 23, 2003.

Chinese school children pose near the Olympic rings during a ceremony to launch a cultural festival in relations to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. The Chinese capital is planning a marathon series of events and activities leading up to the high profile, multi-billion dollars sporting event.

A Chinese policeman keeps guard behind a flower sculpture decorated for the October 1 National Day on a Beijing street, September 22, 2003. Beijing gets ready to celebrate China's National Day on Oct. 1 by decorating its streets and major tourist venues. Hundreds of thousands of domestic travelers are expected during the week long holiday.

Residents stand in front of ruined houses at a village in the flood-hit Yongtai County in east China's Fujian Province Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. Flooding caused by torrential rains late Saturday night killed at least seven people and left five others missing.

Archeologists measure the length of part of a Sauropod dinosaur fossil which was unearthed in Xidi Village, Jiutai City of northeast Chinas Jilin Province, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. The Sauropod fossil, which was discovered by local farmers when they leveled the land, is the first of its kind ever found in the province. Scientists presumed from the unearthed part of the fossil that the dinosaur might be about 10 meters long, dating back about 90 million to 100 million years.

A porcelain bowl decorated with Chinese paintings is displayed at the China Pottery and Porcelain Exposition in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003. The bowl with its mouth reaching 21 inches in diameter was made of the powders of animal bones and was reported the largest of its kind in the world. Three senior craftsmen spent one month to finish it.

The first batch of passengers taking Shanghai's magnetic levitation train buit with German technology have a close look at the carriage at a metro station in Shanghai, China, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2003.

An elderly Chinese man looks at contents of a package containing "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" book and gameset during the launch of the Chinese version of the latest Harry Potter book in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sep 21, 2003. The series is wildly popular in China _ to the point where an entire fake Harry Potter story was written and published illegally here last year _ and counterfeiters here are known for their resourcefulness. The gameset based on the characters in the book were given out free with every purchase of the "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix".

A visitor looks at models of Chinese space rockets at Beijing's military museum Thursday Sept. 18, 2003. Chinese officials said Tuesday that preparations for China's first manned space flight - expected sometime later this year - are moving ahead "extremely smoothly." The launch would make China the third country, after the U.S. and Russia, to send a manned spacecraft.

An acrobat rides bicycle on the steel tightrope while his partner stunts somersault as the Henan Aerial Tightrope Riding Acrobatic Toupe stages a performance at the city's stadium of Tangshan City, in north China's Hebei Province, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003.Acrobats from Tianjin City and Henan and Hebei provinces converge in Tangshan, staging their superior skills to highlight 2003 Arena Competition Challenging the Utmost of Guinness, an event sponsored by the China Office of the Organization of Guinness Book of World Records.

A mainland Chinese woman carries her child during a protest in Taipei against a government proposal to extend the time mainland Chinese spouses must wait to get Taiwan citizenship on September 20, 2003. Taiwan plans to make Chinese spouses wait 11 years to get identity cards, instead of the current eight years, a move the spouses say is unfair .

A Bangladeshi villager carrys his goat through floodwaters in the village of Uttar Ujirpur, near the northwestern town of Chapai Nawabganj, 325 km (203 miles) from Dhaka, on September 18, 2003. Nearly 300,000 people have been marooned and 200,000 others have been forced to seek shelter as floods spread across northwestern Bangladesh over the past week.

This photo taken on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 shows the charming night scene of Mulong Lake in Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. A new theme park will be opened during the coming National Day holidays in Mulong Lake scenic spot. Travelers will have another destination to choose during their visit in Guilin, one of China's most prestigious tourist attractions.

Tourists walk past a model of a section of the Three Gorges Dam in Beijing's Tiananmen Square Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003. The square is being decorated in preparation for celebrations of China's National Day on Oct. 1. The dam on the Yangtze River, the world's largest hydro-electric project, went into operation earlier this year.