Meddling in Canada’s internal affairs, and “there’s something about Mao”
Two items to pass along this afternoon.
I was surprised and a little bemused to see a notice going out in this week’s That’s Beijing weekly newsletter. Under the June 22 events column, I found this:
» Quebec National Day
Come celebrate Quebec’s National Day with The Bookworm. RMB 120 includes buffet and three drinks (free for kids under 12). For tickets, contact Denise at 139 1011 9354.
6pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)
Yes, I know this is a private event. And as a Canadian, I don’t much care if there are Quebec Nationalist events in China, Canada, or anywhere else (we are much more secure about these things). But I still found the event humerous, considering China’s track record with others who give the slightest hint of dealing with or referring to Taiwan as a nation.
Obviously the Bookworm is a private business, and is not a reflection of the government. But the next time some private group/company/organization decides to Honor the Dalai Lama or Chen Shui-bian or whatever or whomever else, we should remember this event in the heart of Beijing. (I am tempted to say this event "hurts the feelings of the Canadian people.")
And for a laugh, well, if you’re not Peruvian, check out this story. It appears Cameron Diaz has landed in hot water for wearing one of those Mao bags emblazoned with the red star that we see in all the tourist markets in China.
While the bags are marketed as trendy fashion accessories in some world capitals, the phrase has particular resonance in Peru.
The Maoist Shining Path insurgency took Peru to the edge of chaos in the 1980s and early 1990s with a campaign of massacres, assassinations and bombings.
Nearly 70,000 people were killed during the insurgency.
A prominent Peruvian human rights activist said the star of There’s Something About Mary should have been a little more aware of local sensitivities when picking her accessories.
I’m wondering, now that superstar Cameron Diaz has been spotted sporting the Mao bag, if I should buy a bunch of these and begin peddling them on eBay.
