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Shanghai judges probed for prostitution scandal SHANGHAI-- Authorities in Shanghai have launched an investigation into four court officials' alleged prostitution scandal at a nightclub. The probe came after a netizen claimed that four officials of the Shanghai Higher People's Court have asked for prostitutes at the Hengshan Resort in Shanghai on the night of June 9. The Shanghai Municipal Disciplinary Commission vowed a thorough investigation into the allegation and pledged to publish the results to the public. The Shanghai Higher People's Court has identified two officials implicated in the scandal as Chen Xueming and Zhao Minghua, chief and deputy chief of the court's No. 1 civil court, respectively. It also pledged a thorough investigation and subsequent harsh punishment if the allegations are true.

Shanghai Interesting News

Veteran Hard-Rockers Aerosmith to Hit Shanghai Aug 21 What a month August is turning out to be for Shanghai. We’ve got the Pet Shop Boys, Metallica, and funk-rockers Jamiroquai all arriving on the scene. If you’ve got time to squeeze them in too, “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band” – Aerosmith – are hitting up the Hongkou Football Stadium on August 21. Formed in 1970, the group have 15 studio albums and have sold 150 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling American rock band of all time. The group come to Shanghai as part of their Global Warming World Tour, and with a back catalogue of mega-hits stretching back over 40 years, the gig is a must see if there ever was one. When: Aug 21, 19:45 Where: Hongkou Football Stadium, 444Dongjiangwan Lu, Hongkou District, Shanghai 上海市虹口区东江湾路444号虹口足球场 Price: 480, 680, 880, 1080, 1580, 2080, 2680 RMB Tickets: http://www.damai.cn/ticket_52904.html Getting there: take subway line 8 to Hongkou Football Stadium Station (虹口足球场站)

Shanghai Air Pollution

Shanghai Air Pollution

PM10 and PM2.5

Whilst we might holistically judge daily air pollution by asking, "Can I see Alaska Pudong from my house?", a more scientific method measures the number of micrograms of PM10 and PM2.5 (particles measuring less than 10 micrometres and 2.5 micrometres respectively) per cubic metre.

These particles are caused by dust or emissions from vehicles, factories, construction sites and coal combustion. Fine particulates (PM2.5) can penetrate lungs and enter the bloodstream, making them the most detrimental to health. As you'd expect, chronic exposure leads to an increased risk of lots of nasty things, particularly heart disease and lung cancer.

Unfortunately, due to the government's convenient lack of data on PM2.5 levels (soon to be rectified), we're unable to analyze the findings in direct relation to Shanghai, but we can use it to draw comparable conclusions about our Shmoggy™ neighbor to the north, Beijing.

Before we look at the facts, it is important to note that the capital's PM10 levels are higher than Shanghai's, and it's PM2.5 levels are likely to be too. The reason is geographical: Shanghai is by the sea, which helps to rapidly clear the air, while Beijing lies in a valley surrounded by mountains.

So next time you fumble your way to the metro with less visibility in front of you than a Boeing in a bad storm, just remember that at least you aren't living in Beijing.

How does air pollution affect life expectancy?

Unfortunately, we can safely say that prolonged exposure to extreme air pollution leads to premature death - The World Health Organization estimated in 2007 that 656,000 Chinese die prematurely each year from ailments caused by indoor and outdoor air pollution - but exactly how much closer to the grave does it put us?

In 2009, one authoritative study found a decrease of 10 micrograms per cubic metre in a city's fine-particulate concentration was associated with an estimated increase in life expectancy of approximately 0.6 years.

Therefore, if we were able to remove all other factors, people living in Beijing would theoretically die five years younger than people living in America's most polluted city, Los Angeles.

The figure of course doesn't apply to officials who can't live without their own private Air Supply.

How does air pollution relate to lung disease and heart disease?

In contrast, Dr Richard Saint Cyr of My Health Beijing believes that the life expectancy figures may be misleading.

Instead, Dr Saint Cyr gauges the effects of air pollution by analyzing the percentage increases in the likelihood of developing diseases. In the case of Beijing, Dr Saint Cyr calculates that long-term living in the capital causes a 49% increase in lung cancer and 32% increase in heart disease deaths (when compared to perfectly clean air).

According to the World Health Organization's latest PM2.5 statistics, living in Beijing is thus significantly more lethal than other metropolises, including L.A. (12% and 19% respectively), London (11% and 19%), and Paris (17% and 21%).

To take a different (less scary) perspective, another study revealed that an individual spending 24 hours in Beijing will inhale 15% of a cigarette's worth of PM2.5. In other words, Beijing living is equivalent to smoking less than 1/6 of a cigarette each day.

Then again, it isn't much of a stretch to just go ahead and declare that the statistic is closer to at least 1/2 of a cigarette for the equivalent amount of PM2.5 people inhale in a day, since inhaling second-hand smoke is still prevalent in much of China.

And believe us, being next to spirals of cigarette smoke isn't nearly as sexy as Wong Kar-Wai and Mad Men make it seem.

In Shanghai, restaurant hygiene is denoted with a reassuring smiley faces. Could a similar system be used for air quality?

Is the air pollution actually getting better?

Beijing reported that 77.3% of days were 'blue sky days' over the past two years, which sounds lovely, but don't break out the picnic blankets just yet.

Applying EU standards to the same period shows that only 17.7% of those days would be considered 'medium' or 'low' pollution.

The government claims pollution levels have decreased, with the number of so-called 'blue sky days' increasing annually for 13 consecutive years being trotted out as evidence. However, research conducted over the past decade has shown PM2.5 levels increasing by 3-4% annually.

Added to this, Beijing lost its place in our environmental circle of trust when it shut down its two most polluted monitoring stations to raise its 'score' in 2006. In 2008 it even began monitoring from beyond the 6th ring road, 15-20km away from the city centre. Cheeky, Beijing, very cheeky.

Possibly more revealing than the shifty air quality statistics is the fact that Beijing's lung cancer rate has risen by 60% over the past decade, despite smoking rates remaining flat. "Increasing air pollution might be largely blamed for that," said Zhi Xiuyi, director of the Lung Cancer Treatment Center at Capital Medical University.

What's being done to decrease air pollution?

Thankfully, the government is now reportedly putting pressure on local authorities to tackle the problem.

In 2012, PM2.5 monitoring stations are to be introduced to 30 cities nationwide (including Shanghai), and last November the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) announced that public opinion would soon be used to assess the performance of local governments on environmental protection.

If logo ideas are needed, we'd suggest going with something similar to the smiley face, unhappy face, disinterested face system used for hygiene levels in restaurants, except with normal face, surgical mask face, and Culturally Insensitive Olympian-style gas mask face instead.

So, in conclusion, this city may be gradually killing us all, but the health implications probably aren't as bad as the 'facts' you've previously heard. The random guy who told you that the pollution in Shanghai would give an adult elephant seven types of cancer in three hours (or something similar) didn't actually know what he was talking about.

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Pudong  Airport =--= Yangpu  District    300RMB
Pudong  Airport =--= Putuo  District     350RMB
Pudong  Airport =--= Hongqiao Airport    300RMB
Hongqiao Airport =--= Yangpu  District   200RMB
Hongqiao Airport =--= Hongkou  District  200RMB
Hongqiao Airport =--= Putuo  District    200RMB

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Shanghai Money-saving Tips Tour Guide Travel Guide

Language Barrier

Once you leave your hotel, English becomes less useful, although most shops and larger restaurants can produce a designated English speaker. In tourist-friendly Shanghai, however, you’re seldom too far from the next concierge.

Call for Help

If you get lost or need advice, consult the English-speaking Shanghai Call Center (962288) for addresses, simple translations, and ticket information.

Tipping

Outside of the pricier tourist establishments, which often levy a 15% service charge, tipping is appreciated but not expected. At some smaller restaurants, waitstaff might chase you down the block with your change.

Don't Buy Bootlegged DVDs

True, they’re cheap, but quality is uneven (Harry Potter in Portuguese, anyone?) and U.S. Customs agents are increasingly targeting copyright infringement.

Hail a Cab

Shanghai cabs are almost uniformly clean and legal. Reject drivers that refuse to use the meter. Before setting out, ask your hotel concierge to write your destination in Chinese.

Use the Metro

Shanghai’s Metro is the seventh longest in the world, inexpensive (4 to 6 yuan for most destinations), and much faster than a taxi during peak traffic or on rainy days. Press the screen for English on ticket vending machines.

Visa

Obtain a visa before flying. If entering via a mainland city but subsequently visiting Hong Kong or Macau, you’ll need a multiple-entry visa. Read the instructions at www.china-embassy.org.

Try Street Food

Shanghai snacks are generally safe and inexpensive and can reward the adventurous with intriguing or unexpected flavors. Keep an eye out for lines of waiting locals and avoid precooked meat or seafood.

Carry Cash

Although nearly all high-end hotels and restaurants honor international credit cards, most other businesses accept only Chinese currency or domestic cards.

Expect Smoking

Considering that China consumes one-third of the world’s cigarettes, you shouldn’t be surprised to see diners light up before, during, and after a meal.

The Bund by Any Other Name

Locals refer to the Bund as Waitan, which translates roughly as “outer bank.”

Beware So-called "Beverage Agents"

These well-mannered young women will invite you to share a few high-priced drinks, then stick you for the inflated bill.

Cruise Expansion

Shanghai will welcome more than 100 cruise ships in 2008, up from a mere 10 moorings in 2004. The Grand Hall at Shanghai’s International Cruise Terminal is expected to open in April 2008, improving the passage through customs. 

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