Locals in Nairobi, Kenya are surprised to have been refused access to a restaurant in their own city because of their ethnicity. African patrons are not allowed to dine at a Chinese restaurant in Nairobi after 5pm because the owners say Africans pose a security risk, an act that the country’s government has called illegal and unconstitutional.

Reporters arrived at the restaurant, called the “Chinese Restaurant”, at around 7pm only to be told by a guard that “the time for Africans is over”.

So why is the ban in place? Esther Zhao, who works for the restaurant, said it’s the result of a robbery by Africans last year. “We don’t admit Africans that we don’t know because you never know who is Al-Shabaab and who isn’t,” referring to the terror group based in neighboring Somalia with links to al-Qaeda. “The Chinese people who stay here or come to dine want to feel safe,” she said.

The only Africans allowed into the compound are either on-duty taxi drivers or Africans accompanied by Chinese, Europeans or Indians. However, some said “loyal” African customers will be admitted into the restaurant provided they spend the equivalent of $200, a claim that restaurant workers denied.

Zhao said the Chinese embassy in Nairobi had recently issued a warning to all Chinese businesses to stay vigilant against the threat of Al-Shabaab. “It is not like it is written on somebody’s face that they are a thug armed with a gun,” said Zhao.

Kenya Ombudsman Otiende Amollo said it is both illegal and unconstitutional to discriminate against an individual on the grounds of their race, gender or ethnicity. Calling it “racial and ethnic profiling”, Amollo said, “[The Chinese Restaurant policy] has in it the inherent assumption that Africans are inevitably pre-disposed to be robbers.”

But Zhao said Chinese patrons may not feel comfortable dining at the restaurant at night if Africans are present, adding some large parties asked the restaurant to keep Africans away.

Other cases of Chinese businesses barring entry to locals have occurred before. Last January, a Chinese-owned clothing store decided to ban all locals after a crime was committed by a local resident on an expat customer. However, in that case, the clothing store was located in Beijing and the locals banned were Chinese.

Related:

• Chinese Cyber Crime Network Busted in Kenya
• Slowing Economy and Discrimination Puts Brakes on African Immigration to Guangzhou
• Demand for ivory in Guangzhou fuels illegal poaching in Africa

The post Africans Barred from Chinese Restaurant — in Kenya appeared first on The Nanfang.

Secret celebrity romances are usually things that are uncovered by unscrupulous paparazzi photographers, violating the privacy of the rich and famous. However, the reveal of China’s hottest celebrity romance comes straight from the source itself – which, in this day and age, is a personal Weibo account.

Weibo users were first clued in to the romance between 50 year-old Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson and 31 year-old Chinese-Canadian singer Qu Wanting at beginning of January, but they made it official with a post sent by Robertson on Valentine’s Day:

Once again, this isn’t a private message, but a post sent to all of Robertson’s followers. While it may be a strange way to make it official, it makes sense for Robertson to announce his relationship to Qu on the Weibo micro-blogging service because he’s been mentioning Qu on his Weibo account for years.

The two were photographed together after a performance in February 2014, and another post has Robertson in full support of Qu becoming the tourism ambassador for Vancouver in November 2013 when he explained “Because SHE ROCKS!!!”

Robertson is having quite a year so far. He separated from his wife of 30 years last July, won himself a third term as the mayor of Vancouver, Canada back in November, and now has a new love in his life.

His public announcement of his relationship with Qu has resulted in a flurry of responses online. The most common is that he looks far younger than his 50 years:

佳爺万万岁：

There doesn’t seem to be an age difference of 19 years between [Robertson and Qu]… maintaining your health is very important.

STRONGKBB:

This old geezer is 50?!?! What a shock！

Sashaxu：

He doesn’t seem like he’s 50 years-old.

tearfulrobby：

Well maintained!

The coming together of East and West can have many implications, but the apparent one for netizens when it comes to cross-cultural relationships is the difference of beauty standards:

freshairr：

Her (meal)ticket doesn’t seem at all to be 50 years old, while she seems to be at least 40, oh my garters.

gemma凖：

Indeed, (her) face is suitable for a laowai (implying that Qu is not beautiful by Chinese standards).

Zippo227：

Foreigners like ugly women.

小婷婷luck：

Qu Wanting is (more) suitable for a foreigner because which Chinese would be able to put up with her?

尔本o：

Westerners aren’t willing to directly face the Chinese beauty standard.

A happy couple in love turns out to be the appropriate time to criticize their appearance.

罗滴嘎嘎：

Canadians are the most disgusting people. (I) pity that beautiful woman.

樱桃子2013：

At first I thought the woman had the worst end of the deal. The man is already 50 years old and is so much older than her. But then, after opening the photo, I felt that the man had the worst end of the deal…

But then some people were all too happy to wish the couple well:

男精零101：

I’m envious. 

徐威gg：

The very much have the appearance of a husband and wife.

Some netizens have come to certain conclusions about Vancouver and China’s northeast:

FrancisMartinCA：

After this, there will be more Chinese people going to Vancouver.

孫雪甛：

Speechless! 30 years of marriage is being substituted by a 31 year-old woman! I am fully in awe of China’s Dongbei (northeast)

While others see this relationship as having certain political overtones to it:

梦境_先知：

How are US mayors in any way more powerful than Chinese mayors, or any richer? That’s crazy!

肥皂是赵智君：

Why do I get the feeling that this is just propaganda material, and the mayor is just a fan?

jiatian琪：

Is this one technique with which China can conquer the world?

We’ll just have to see what comes next on Robertson’s Weibo account.

The post Vancouver Mayor Reveals Chinese Girlfriend on Weibo to Frenzied Response appeared first on The Nanfang.

The trend of wealthy Chinese giving birth in the US so that their children can gain foreign citizenship was so popular in the early 2000’s that it inspired the 2013 Tang Wei movie, Finding Mr Right, which then inspired more Chinese to do the same.

However, the “birth tourism” trend that’s seeing pregnant Chinese women head to the USA and leave with a baby with US citizenship may have finally come to an end. On March 3, the FBI raided ten “birthing centers” in Orange County, California, signalling a crackdown on the practice.

Expectant mothers are able to pay upwards of $50,000 to be introduced to a birthing center which guarantees a social security number, US citizenship and a passport for their baby. These centers are also culturally important because they give Chinese mothers and their newborn children a place to pass the one month observational period, as commonly practiced in China.

One immigration expert said birth tourism isn’t specifically against the law, but these places coach expectant Chinese mothers on how to lie to US authorities to conceal their real motives.

No arrests were made in the March 3 raids, though US Immigration and Customs agents say charges are likely as they continue to investigate for visa violations and tax evasion. One such center is said to have successfully helped 400 Chinese mothers give birth to new US citizens.

The Associated Press said the FBI raid on three of the centers was one of the largest operations undertaken by the department of homeland security, and even involved an undercover agent.

The US constitution ensures that everyone born in the US becomes a US citizen. In China, the popular thinking is parents can give birth in the US, then return to China where the child will go to school. Once the kid reaches 21 years old, he or she can live in the USA and bring the parents as US immigrants.

Congress has apparently considered a few proposals to close this loophole and make it harder for the offspring of two non-US citizens to receive citizenship if born in the United States.

Related:

• Free Education and a Popular Romcom Lead to Chinese Baby Boom in America

The post USA Brings the Hammer Down on Chinese-style “Birth Tourism” with FBI Raids in California appeared first on The Nanfang.

Here’s what happened, and why Chinese Americans have launched a White House petition that has already garnered well over 100,000 signatures.

Gurley arrived home at the Pink Houses complex in Brooklyn on November 20. He decided not to wait for the elevator and entered the darkened seventh floor stairwell when he was struck by the bullet that had bounced off a wall. The gun was fired by Liang, who was standing a floor above. Liang had not said anything to Gurley when he fired it, and claims the bullet “flew out” of his gun.

Since the shooting, many incriminating details about the case have emerged, such as the fact that Liang did not radio for help or provide any assistance to Gurley, instead calling his union representative to ask for advice. As well, the ambulance that eventually arrived had to be called by residents of the complex because the officers on hand did not know the building’s address. Liang also apparently ignored phone calls from the ambulance to get the exact location.

While the officers in the controversial deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner were not indicted, Liang looks set to pay a price for the unintended death of an unarmed black man, a father of two young children. It’s that point that has the Chinese community upset. They say Liang is a “scapegoat” unfairly punished because he is a minority. While there has been a “Free Peter Liang” Facebook page for a while, the Chinese community is really making an impact with the White House petition that is asking the President to set Liang free.

This is what the petition says:

Demand Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson to withdraw indictment against Asian minority Officer Peter Liang!

Prosecutors indicts Officer Liang for Political Gain! Asian American Police Officer Becomes Scapegoat!

NYPD Officer, Peter liang told his superiors that his gun had gone off unintentionally, the bullet rattling off a wall and into an unsuspecting man’s chest, killing Akai Gurley.

Nonetheless, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Gurley’s death lead to a manslaughter indictment this week, whereas police officers in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner case were never charged. Criminal charges appeared more likely in the later two cases, but these two non-Asian Police Officers were never charged.

Netizens are also taking to Weibo to promote Liang’s cause and this petition, and are trying to get all Chinese, regardless of nationality, involved in the case. This Weibo user even adapts the “I am Charlie” meme used after the Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris:

I’ve signed my name!! Please help out this ethnic Chinese police officer. We Chinese are all Peter! Don’t just be a passerby.
A Chinese police officer mistakenly struck a black person with a ricocheting bullet while on duty. Through a jury, a black prosecutor has indicted him on second-degree murder charges. Recently, police officers that have killed people in other parts of the United States have not been charged, and yet only Peter is charged with a serious crime?! There aren’t any problems with the entire legal system; instead, the key point is that we Chinese are not united, and don’t speak out. Subconsciously, it’s very likely the jury and the black prosecutor think it’s okay to oppress Chinese while alleviating the anger of black people at the same time. If ethnic Chinese don’t make their voices strongly heard, the possibility that Peter Liang will get convicted is high. Not long from now in the future, you too could become another “Peter” yourself! Don’t wait, act now!
Brooklyn’s ethnic Chinese need you to make your voices heard to its elected prosecutor!
If this petition receives over 100,000 signatures, Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson may likely withdraw all charges to Peter Liang! Please sign the petition!

A successful petition to the White House does not mean your wishes will be granted, but this hasn’t stopped the Chinese community’s support for Liang. This Weibo user says Liang was a filial son and is now prevented from safeguarding America because he accidentally shot a guy to death:

‘Mother, it’s over for me. I apologize to you, I can’t take care of you any more.’ These words aren’t from a drug addict, nor from a robber, nor even from a murderer. They come from police officer Peter Liang, a person that protects and is devoted to the safety of the American public. He quit a stable union job in order to become a police officer because he had a dream to safeguard the public and be a champion for the people.

The arguments made by the Chinese community to set Liang free are largely based upon race, but some amount to this: If white people can kill unarmed black people, Chinese people should be able to, too. If white people can kill unarmed black people, Chinese people should be able to, too.

Mr金–jzm：
White people can kill black people in broad daylight without any problem, so by what reason must Chinese be charged (under the same circumstances)? It’s not fair!

DK-8:
The point isn’t that Liang killed a black person, the point is that there have been white police officers (who have killed black people) in cases that haven’t necessarily been accidents, but have not been charged. Liang has mistakenly killed a black person, but has been charged with six different crimes.

不入江湖：
Those damned blacks are so detestable, there are some people that should die.

Some people say this is all about civil rights:

我的7月2日：
If you don’t fight for them, your rights won’t come land on your doorstep. 

Nopollock：
I’ve signed up. The road of fighting against racial discrimination in the USA is still a long one to travel. If we don’t fight for Peter Liang now, when it’s our turn one day in the future, who will speak up for us?

The indictment of Peter Liang is a clear case of racism, say these people:

时尚金融学：
If Peter had a family name of Andrews or Nichols, I’d guess he’d never be charged. Also, what bad luck it is for a police officer to have his gun accidentally go off.

飘游仙人：
Most of us ethnic Chinese in the greater Washington area have all signed the petition. Even if Liang had a few minutes to radio for an ambulance, the decision to charge him as a murderer without first knowing all the facts is a clear cut example of racism directed towards Chinese.

And then other folks think the responsibility lies elsewhere:

___鸦片___：
He is responsible, but the one that has the most responsibility is the New York Police Department.

Nichole29：
Even though I detest those black people, this case is an unsolvable mystery without any reason to explain why the gun went off. Such is life… ay.

泰姆么辛：
To all people who have signed the petition and are seekers of righteousness: does this therefore mean that it doesn’t matter who mistakenly kills a black person, but that they should not be charged?

Heatherica：
The unfair point is that ‘white people won’t get charged after killing black people’, which is to say that getting charged is the normal way. Even if there is inequality between whites and Asians, this should not be based upon the privilege of killing black people. The entire argument is wrong, so how can there be justice?

Destiny_wsy：
First of all, let’s not say who is African-American! Who is Asian-American! And who is American! Firing a gun to solve a problem; do you have a problem with impulsive actions? Or are you a coward? Each of us only have one life. When compared to the unfair deaths of these African-Americans, isn’t this the greater tragedy?

With the fate of Peter Liang to be determined by the courts, we await the White House response to the petition.

The post Chinese Community Rallies Behind NYPD Cop Indicted in Killing of Unarmed Black Man appeared first on The Nanfang.

Seventy-seven Chinese people were rounded up in Kenya under suspicion of operating an organized computer crime network to be used for undetermined purposes as a “command center”. Police suspects the group was “preparing to raid the country’s communication systems”, specifically its financial infrastructure.

Police raided the group’s “military-style dorms” and found equipment that could infiltrate bank accounts, Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile banking system and ATMs. Preliminary investigations also revealed the group was making counterfeit microchips for ATM cards. 

The suspects have been charged with “being in the country illegally and operating radio equipment” without the necessary permits.

Kenya’s foreign ministry summoned China’s top diplomat in Nairobi to determine if the ring had any official ties to the Chinese government. Kenyan communications minister Fred Matiang’i said China promised to fully cooperate in the investigation.

China is a key investor in Kenya’s infrastructure and communication systems. Earlier this year, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta called China “an honorable partner”.

Photo: ABC.net

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A kid wearing open-seat pants on the street in China

Yes, a pair of crotchless pants, also known as ‘open-seat pants’ that have a split in the crotch for toddlers, has become a contentious issue in the United States.

The sight of a toddler wearing them in Monterey Park, California was so shocking to some American onlookers that one American woman reported the run-in to the local police.

When police arrived and learned that the onesie is mainly to used to enable kids to answer nature’s calls easier and faster, the newspaper wrote that “the police couldn’t just believe what they hear.” However, when reached by a Chinese media outlet, the local police authority said they have yet to confirm the authenticity of the report.

The pants, which are ubiquitous in China, remain contentious even here, Nanfang Net reported. The anti open-crotch pants camp argues that the exposure is unhygienic and makes the child vulnerable to accidents such as boiling water and sharp knives.

One commentator named Daniel wrote, “wearing open-seat pants will indulge the kids to do their business anytime and anywhere they want.” Others argued that this outfit might draw pedophiles. Another commenter said, “there are so many perverts out there. Once the kids get hurt, you won’t even have time to cry.”

Those who are defensive about the look link it to Chinese culture (though our own research can’t find any particular cultural connection) and threw barbs at “narrow-minded” Americans. A user called Eternal commented, “For those who run naked for some holidays, what grounds you have to criticise us? Open-seat pants are a part of Chinese culture. What the heck do you know?”

Others even argued from an environmental point of view. 知雨 wrote, “wearing open-seat pants spared the use of so many pampers. (Do you know) how much waste we managed to save? Support tradition.”

Photos: Chaos taipei, Zhihuimami

The post Chinese Toddler’s Crotchless Pants So Shocking in America That Woman Calls Police appeared first on The Nanfang.

Tang Wei’s pregnant character arrives in Seattle, USA at the beginning of “Finding Mr Right”.

Expectant mothers in China are hopping onto airplanes in ever larger numbers to give birth abroad, and it’s not set to slow down anytime soon. What is it that lures would-be parents to foreign lands? Clean water? Clean air? Those surely help, but there is one key factor that trumps everything else: the enormous savings associated with being enrolled in a “free” education system.

According to Worldwide magazine, about 600 Chinese mothers went abroad to give birth in 2007, growing to 5,000 in 2010 and over 10,000 in 2012. That doubled again to 20,000 in 2013, and is expected to hit anywhere between 50,000 and 60,000 in 2015, according to the Mother-Child Management Association.

The primary destination for new parents is now the United States after Hong Kong introduced limits on Mainland parents giving birth in the territory. One person told the magazine:

On any given flight going to the USA (from China), there is likely to be five pregnant Chinese women. In any given neighborhood of prosperous cities like Beijing and Shanghai, there is likely to be several expectant mothers going to the US to give birth to their baby.

Aside from access to free primary education, Chinese parents also consider how much money they will save by having their child attend a US school as a “US citizen” instead as a “foreign exchange student”.

Tang Wei in a wedding dress in a scene that isn’t her wedding from “Finding Mr Right”.

A child with US citizenship enrolled in the US education system will save a Chinese parent a total of $600,000, the report said. The savings continue to rack up as the child continues to post-secondary education. If we use public colleges in California as an example, an exchange student will pay $12,000 in annual tuition while a “US citizen” will pay just $2,000. Therefore, the Chinese parent will be able to save $300,000 over four years of college.

Intermediary consultancies advertise by saying a baby with US citizenship is a financial windfall:

Give me RMB 100,000, and I’ll give you a US baby worth RMB 9.8 million

Last year, a romcom featuring Tang Wei called Finding Mr Right (or its Chinese name, Beijing Meets Seattle) featured a Chinese parent having babies abroad and using the private maternity facilities available. Afterwards, intermediary consultancies reported a huge spike in business with clients referencing the movie when they called.

Meanwhile, Seattle has experienced a huge upsurge in Chinese tourists as a result of the film. Tom Norwalk of Visit Seattle, an organization that promotes Seattle tourism, said Finding Mr Right “has captivated a younger generation in China, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.” Norwalk also said more young Chinese women are visiting Seattle.

Traveling may be expensive, but the investment may pay huge dividends if children are born in America.

Photo: Seattle Globalist, Screen Daily, Yellow Cranes Tower, Wikipedia

The post Free Education and a Popular Romcom Lead to Chinese Baby Boom in America appeared first on The Nanfang.

Chinese reporter Li Xuejiang gets forcibly removed by the RCMP at a press conference on August 23, 2013.

The Canadian government has banned certain Chinese reporters representing specific news organizations from participating in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s upcoming trip to the country’s north.

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, Jason MacDonald, told QMI Agency that “certain news outlets were no longer welcome” to travel with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, reports the Winnipeg Sun. A source in the government said reporters from the People’s Daily and Xinhua news agency will not be able to attend the trip this year.

The decision follows an incident that took place last year during Harper’s previous visit to the Canadian north.

Chinese reporter Li Xuejiang argues with Julie Vaux on August 23, 2013.

On August 23, 2013, a Chinese reporter named Li Xuejiang got into a heated exchange with a member of the Prime Minister’s office, and had to be forcibly restrained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

During a press conference at Raglan Mine, Li was upset that his opportunity to ask the Prime Minister a question was revoked and tried to grab a microphone, after which a physical altercation took place.

As reported by the CBC, press conferences run by Prime Minister Harper are tightly scripted events in which questions from reporters are first verified, and then scheduled. Li was going to ask about investments made by foreign entities into Canada’s natural resources. “I wanted to clarify the federal government’s policy and the regulations toward foreign state-owned company investment,” he said.

Li was unrepentant. “Why should I apologize? They should apologize to me for depriving me of my right to ask a question. The Prime Minister’s Office shouldn’t deprive my right. It’s not democratic.” 

However, Li eventually did apologize, saying that he was “sorry for what happened”. All the same, Li continued to complain of unfair treatment. He showed off bruises he claimed he suffered from the altercation, and then wrote on September 8 that Chinese reporters stationed in Canada are discriminated against. Li said that police followed him everywhere, even to the bathroom.

Prime Minister Harper will be making his annual trip to northern Canada from August 20 to 26 and will be accompanied by staff and members of the Press Gallery, an organization of journalists who cover national politics on Parliament Hill.

Despite being identified by the Canadian Press as the Ottawa-based bureau chief for the People’s Daily, Li has also been identified by Xinhuanet as a correspondent working for the Global Times and the People’s Daily Online.

[h/t @spilledtea]

Photos: CBC, China.com

The post Canadian Prime Minister Bans Chinese Reporters From Trip for Bad Behavior appeared first on The Nanfang.

Jonathan Del Carmen, 19; Andrew Garcia, 18; Alberto Ochoa, 17; and Alejandra Guerrero, 16 have all entered a plea of not guilty. The suspects are to be held without bail until their next hearing on September 12.

Garcia and Del Carmen could potentially face the death penalty. As minors, the other defendants are too young to be given capital punishment.

Some 150 students, friends, supporters came to the Los Angeles courthouse to attend the hearing.

In 2012, two Chinese exchange students of USC were shot and killed as they sat in their car during a botched robbery.

Photos: LA Times

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