中國國家旅遊局和美國商務部15日在北京宣布，從2008年6月17日起，中國公民可通過團隊形式赴美旅遊

“實施第一階段為期6個月。第一階段實施區域為北京、天津、河北、湖北、湖南、上海、江蘇、浙江、廣東九省市。自今年6月17日起，上述九省市取得組織中國公民出境旅遊經營資格的組團社，可組織戶籍所在地為上述九省市的居民參團赴美旅遊”

1st Chinese tour group to leave for U. S. in June

You can read the news here 1st Chinese tour group to leave for U. S.

CNN president apologizes for Jack Cafferty’s remarks on China (05/15/08)

Chinese version : CNN总裁终于正式道歉

“外交部发言人秦刚15日表示，近日CNN总裁沃尔顿致函中国驻美国大使，代表CNN正式向中国人民道歉。信函说，“CNN对全世界华人怀有最崇高的敬意。我们确信，中国人民确实被卡弗蒂的评论所冒犯。我谨代表CNN就此向中国人民道歉。”

English version: CNN president apologizes for Jack Cafferty’s remarks on China

You can read the whole report here International aid to Sichuan earthquake

“China has accepted offers from Russia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Singapore to send rescue teams to Sichuan as the first foreign rescuers from Japan entered the province early on Friday.”

“It is also the first time in history for foreign professional rescuers to join in China’s disaster relief work,” said Li Wenliang, a counselor of the Foreign Ministry. “

I wasn’t really in the mood to write anything. So many people died in the earthquake. The pictures and TV footages are still haunting me. Then I read this Chinese blogger’s post 我想任何一个有良知的人都会拿出自己的实际行动，而不是在这个特别时刻说东道西、冷嘲热讽甚至别有用心地进行挑拨和离间

He is right.

Well, are you also in the mood to pick on China right now? You are not alone. Here are some of the heartless things that some people want to talk about regarding the earthquake. I hope these people can sleep at night when so many people are dead in China.

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“No aid for China period from Canadians, if Chinese Canadians send it must be tax. Too much money is being funneled out of Canada to support programs in China. Burma and Tibet must looked after first, China can help itself period.”

“why doesn’t the Chinese government re-allocate the funds it uses to oppress the Tibetan people? If we aid China with this disaster, while China continues to pour resources into murdering and oppressing the people of Tibet, aren’t we in effect oppressing and murdering the people of Tibet? I pray for the families affected that their government will show compassion and take care of all people”

“據聞地震前，震央附近有數十萬隻蟾蜍通街走，網上有流傳指這或是地震先兆，但政府視流傳為謠傳據聞地震前，震央附近有數十萬隻蟾蜍通街走，網上有流傳指這或是地震先兆，但政府視流傳為謠傳”

“請不要捐錢到四川，試問你捐的錢，是不是真的給災民？從中真不知有多少高幹過河濕腳。現在都只不過是四川一個地方有事而已，深圳、廣州、上海沒有事嘛！那些地方的人都很富有的，什至比香港更富有，哪為什麼要香港這個小島去幫？香港當年受到沙士之災，大陸又有沒有幫過香港？香港這小島有事，為什麼你這央央大國一元都不給香港”

“天譴之說, 縱非科學化, 但在中國文化中, 存在已久, 具一定地位/價值. 強烈抗拒這說法者, 多是那些盲目支持執政者的人, 因為這說法每每指[天]所要譴責的, 是當權者的倒行逆施.”

“Realizing the symbolic importance of the moment, Premier Wen Jiabao rushed to the scene, and was widely photographed kneeling in the wreckage, consoling victims and advising rescue teams”

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Symbolic importance? I must add that Wen Jiabao is a geologist. He belonged to the geology team who first arrived at the Tong Shan earthquake site in the 70’s. So he is an access to the Sichuan earthquake rescue effort. He isn’t there just for the photo op like some politicians, people, grow a heart. If you know what his present meant to thousands and thousands of Chinese people, you wouldn’t have said it”