Shanghai Expats are feeling a bit language-challenged in Shanghai’s taxis, buses and shopping venues, according to a report released recently.

Foreigners and overseas Chinese who hold a Shanghai residence card and stay in a work contract with a Shanghai employer can now enjoy the city’s social security and benefits, just as their local counterparts do: The Shanghai Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has put up a notice on its Website, stating that the policy has been in effect since October 10, 2009 [...]

Shanghai’s population is expected to grow to 19.5 million in 2010, about 3 percent more than last year. And by 2020, the city’s total should hit 23 million, due to an increase in births, a large influx of new residents and longer life expectancies, according to a conference recently held by the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission [...]

Would anybody care to share a quote (shall I call it “citation?) for referencing the interaction design process for a paper I’m writing? # reading “IDEO Method Cards”, different techniques for inspiring design, gaining insights into user’s goals, and generating alternatives … # [Technology] Nokia’s Point # [Graphic Design, Digital Art, Architecture, Data Visualization] Data [...]

Monthly groceries at Metro: frozen bagles, panninis, and laffa! Thank you, Lord! # [China] Chinese president meets Brazilian leader in London: Chinese President Hu Jintao met his Brazilian.. http://tinyurl.com/cd6jd2 # [Interaction Design] Music That Makes You Dumb: Virgil Griffith, a CalTech graduate student,.. http://tinyurl.com/cgbw7j # [Technology] Report: Google in Talks to Buy Twitter?: Google is [...]

A recent survey by ECA International, a London-based human resources consultant, ranked Beijing as the 31st most expensive city for expatriates in the world, surpassing Hong Kong to become the most expensive city in China [...]

The large-scale report of ‘China in World’s Eyes’ was issued in Beijing recently. Foreigners from more than 20 countries around the world were surveyed in the report. When asked which can represent China best, most foreigners chose the Great Wall, Kung fu and Chinese food; and 21% of them considered the Great Wall as the best thing representing China. Influenced by Hollywood films, foreigners were greatly impressed by Kung Fu; many of them even thought most Chinese could play Kung Fu…

Less than three months after the Chinese State Council put its stamp on the patent law reform blueprint, the government submitted the draft amendment to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, for first reading recently. Tian Lipu, commissioner of the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office, said the amendment to the Patent Law would make several important changes to the application process and enforcement of the law…

China has begun to restrict visas for foreign visitors. The Washington Post presents several perspectives on why this is happening, including Olympic security concerns and a growing sense of nationalism among Chinese. On paper, the visa rules for China have always been strict. In addition to frustrated potential visitors to China, the economy is also experiencing difficulties due to the new visa restrictions. The Wall Street Journal reports on the vacant hotels in Beijing, built for Olympic visitors and other tourists who are now hampered from entering China….

China has promulgated its own intellectual property strategy, which is aimed at promoting innovation and the use of new technologies by China’s industries. It’s hoped that via the implementation of the strategy, all innovations will be respected and more wealth will be created…