While some people may wonder about the significance of producing electricity to power a piece of art, the project used Chinese manufacturer Suntech, who produced the first glass solar panels in China. Photovoltaic cells may not solve the world’s energy problems, but combined with wind and hydroelectric power it is a positive step in moving our reliance on fossil fuels for energy.

Inside is a fancy looking hotel and restaurant.

China is in Group B together with Angola, Spain and the United States.

“Certainly there are teams in our group that we are not on the same level with, but I believe there are opportunities and they are there for us to pursue,” Yao told the Beijing reporters. “Even though we didn’t make it to the final six in 2006, but we did very well.”

Read more: Rockets’ star Yao wants Chinese team to reach quarterfinals in Beijing

“China has always been very cautious when it comes to the Internet,” Technology Minister Wan Gang told a news conference as the Olympic torch was being paraded atop Mount Everest.

“I’ve not got any clear information about which sites will be shut or screened. But to protect the youth there are controls on some unhealthy websites.

“We will guarantee as much as possible” that sites will not be blocked over the Olympics, he added. “Every country limits access to some websites. Even in developed countries not every site can be accessed.”

The IOC has previously warned China not to block internet websites during the games. Vice Chairman of the IOC Kevin Gosper said “This morning we discussed and insisted again. … Our concern is that the press (should be) able to operate as it has at previous games.”

From my own observations Wikipedia which has long been banned in China is currently accessible, but free blogging sites like wordpress.com and blogspot.com are mostly blocked in China.

The other contentious issue between China and the west is over China’s lack of enforcement over copyright infringement. I have noticed recently that a couple of shops that openly sold pirated DVDs have been shutdown, but most of the smaller neighborhood shops operate freely.

“The law enforcement authorities are not able to guarantee that infringement never happens. What we are trying our best to do is combat it and crack down when we find it,” said Liu Zhengang, head of the Beijing IPR Bureau.

Read more: China won’t guarantee Web freedom over Olympics

China’s Technology Minister Wan Gang expects 1.18 million tonnes of carbon to be generated from the games but measures have been put in place to reduce emissions by between 1 and 1.29 million tonnes. In any case, the emissions will “basically” be balanced.

Other measures include restrictions on vehicle use during the Olympic Games, the introduction of over 500 new energy vehicles for use in central areas of the Olympics, and 80% of rainwater and 100% of grey water will be reused.

MSN is one of the most popular messengers in China and many Chinese are adding an “I LOVE CHINA” to their Microsoft messenger profiles. “Love” is substituted with a love heart and is added with the text (L).

I haven’t logged into my MSN for a while, so I thought I would check it out. Just after I logged in a friend started chatting with me, so I thought I would ask them what it is all about.

Friend:
hi
Friend:
how r u doing?
Me:
good
Me:
why you have (L) China ?
Friend:
hehe
Friend:
coz i love my country
Me:
i see
Me:
I just wonder why people started adding it now?
Friend:

Me:
i want to know.
Friend:
we resist the action of France’s sustaining the tibet’s self-governed
Me:
what do you love about China?
Friend:
everything. she is my mother

A 23 year old Tibetan woman had the privilege of being the first climber to take the torch to the summit. I am sure now the journalists covering the event will be happy to be able to now head back to town to get a good feed and shower.

“As I thank you once again for this most welcome tribute, I send my greetings, through you, to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games, an event of great importance for the entire human family.”

Source

How about people who are planning to bring their children to the Olympic Games? I don’t want to sound alarmist, but surely there needs to be some degree of concern. Cases have also now been reported in Beijing with two kindergartens now have been closed.

WHO does say however, that there does not need to be any restriction on travel or trade.

From the WHO website:

The number of hospitalised cases has gradually increased since the end of March with a sharp increase in the number of cases since April 19.

Public health experts predict that the number of cases will continue to increase and will peak around June-July.

Although infection often has no symptoms and goes unnoticed, these viruses are also associated with occasional outbreaks in which a larger-than-usual number of patients develop clinical disease, sometimes with fatal consequences. No specific anti-viral therapy is available and treatment focuses on prevention of complications. As there is no vaccine for this virus, control measures during outbreaks are focused on classical hygiene measures including frequent hand-washing and disinfection of soiled clothing and surfaces. In certain situations, it may be advisable to close child-care facilities and schools to reduce the intensity of transmission. It is not necessary to restrict travel or trade.

The escalator takes you directly from the ground floor up to the 6th floor. Joy City has a nice open plan and a lot of fashionable clothing shops. Rather than a food court in a single area, there is a different restaurant on every floor. There is a nice looking cinema on the 10th floor of the center.

I had lunch at Wagas Cafe on the third floor (free wifi available).