This week’s photo series is “CELEBRATE WOMEN” — directed by Nicole Chan, with support from other talented photographers. Women respond to the question “What empowers you?” in these raw, minimalist portraits.
“Dreams come out of experience, memory loss comes out of drinking wine and strength comes out of travel. What comes out of you?
Maybe everyone has one’s own opinion about life, and I think life is about travel.
I prefer the word “drifting”. It sounds more unrestrained, free, and chivalrous.
I like snow-capped mountains, stars, and the healthy feeling of fatigue after tramping over hill and valley;
I like museums, monuments, ancient buildings and the historical feeling of seeing the real antique after days of hard work;
I like looking for local snacks under the guidance of navigation;
I like to be called sister in the south and girl in the north;
I like to prepare traveling to a destination and enjoy it with friends in the run-in;
I have worked for 5 years and left home for 10 years.
As an Aries, travel has become an escape from the monotony of life and work.
I prefer a life with not so much gain and loss, but more and more experiences.
I prefer a deep life to a long one.
I hope travel could always be my antidote, not a poison.”
For many companies and their PR departments, March 15 is a day filled with dread. World Consumer Rights Day, often referred to as “315” in China, is marked with glee and schadenfreude for customers, and increased blood pressure and trepidation for higher ups at big brands, thanks to CCTV’s “gala” dedicated to exposing alleged malpractice.
The annual two-hour TV special has aired since 1991 but has become an increasingly major event in recent years, and concurrently caused a few major headaches for some of the most recognizable brands operating in the country, including the likes of Apple, Volkswagen, and Starbuck’s. Splicing together light entertainment routines with product exposés, the show is watched by millions and regularly leads to a wave of public apologies and grovelling from the brands caught in the crosshairs.
Previous years have seen companies attempt to get ahead of the game by being extra nice, with reports of free food and gadgets being handed out by some stores across the country. Earlier this week in Shanghai, McDonald’s – who were accused of poor hygiene standards in 2012 – were providing customers with “Thank You” leaflets that stated, “McDonald’s wishes you good feelings every day.” Aww.
The theme for tonight’s show has been announced as “Quality consumption, beautiful life”, which has naturally led to plenty of speculation over who is set to be featured. We’ll update this post with the subjects of 2018’s gala once all is revealed [now updated – see below], but for now, here are some of the biggest allegations from last year.
Suspect sneakers
One of the main targets of last year’s show was Nike. Apparently, the firm’s “Hyperdunk” shoes didn’t actually contain any “Zoom air” pockets as advertised. Full of remorse, a Nike statement swiftly afterwards said, “As soon as we were made aware, we immediately contacted consumers to offer compensation and apologise for the confusion and inconvenience.”
Fishy foodstuffs
MUJI was another major “culprit” last year, after CCTV claimed that the minimalist Japanese lifestyle brand had been selling food products hailing from an area of their homeland that had recorded high levels of radiation two years previously.
The same show also took aim at online shopping platforms JD.com and Tmall for also featuring supposedly contaminated products.
MUJI took to Weibo to issue a contrite statement:
Dodgy doctors
One segment that got a lot of attention in 2017 focused on Lebailing Bio-Tech Company in Wuhan, who were accused of duping consumers – especially the elderly – by using people impersonating doctors to sell somewhat suspect medicines and health supplements.
2018’s targets: Volkswagen, bike share apps and, err, toothbrushes
Volkswagen were among the main subjects of this year’s consumer rights gala on CCTV, with the automaker facing criticism over engine defects on their Touareg SUV model. VW – who have now featured on the programme three times in the past five years – apologized almost immediately. The company had already announced plans for a recall of affected vehicles earlier this month.
The programme also turned its fire on a number of bike sharing apps, singling out the likes of KuQi for going out of business and taking customers’ deposits with them. A valid complaint of course, but hardly a surprising one – similar stories have been appearing in Chinese media for months now.
Another segment looked at the poor quality of some imported toothbrushes, focusing on those from Japan and South Korea. Again, not invalid complaints but a far cry from the big brand takedowns of previous years.
“It’s definitely tougher now to do this show. Many firms start taking precautionary measures half a year in advance,” said a person close to the show, who declined to be identified as he was not permitted to speak to the media.
In general, it was hardly a vintage 315, which you could argue is a sign of progress. Then again, it may also be the case that companies are getting savvier about their PR in the run-up to Consumer Rights Day, which doesn’t necessarily mean improved consumer rights. According to SCMP:
Consumer complaints surged 44 per cent year on year in 2017 in general, with complaints regarding online purchases in particular surging 184.4 per cent, according to data from China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce, which deals with consumer disputes with companies.
San Francisco-based non-profit the 1990 Institute is looking for entries into its Youth Voices on China online video competition, with prizes including a share of $30k and a stay in Wild China‘s Yunnan villa in Dali.
Here’s the official blurb:
Youth Voices on China is the 1990 Institute’s annual video $30K contest that engages youth of the United States and China to broaden their cross‐cultural understanding. Through creative video storytelling, we strive to empower young people to connect with others, make their voices heard, grow their social media skills, and help strengthen the most important bilateral relationship in the world.
Make us laugh, cry or be awed. For 2018, we invite contestants age 13‐25 in the United States, Canada and China to submit a powerful 2‐3 minute video on what life is like today in mainland China (PRC), through the lens of one or more mainland China residents, or an American or those of other nationalities who have spent time in mainland China within the last 8 years (2010 and later).
We’re seeking mainland China stories on changing traditions, shifting global perspectives to their heroes. Our judges are seeking highly personal stories about life lessons learned, unusual accomplishments and struggles, and a spectrum of hopes & dreams that illustrate the China experience and the impact of rapid modernization and globalization. See our website for story ideas & categories plus *required* interview questions.
This week’s photo series is “CELEBRATE WOMEN” — directed by Nicole Chan, with support from other talented photographers. Women respond to the question “What empowers you?” in these raw, minimalist portraits.
“My bestie empowers me to become a better one. She encourages me when I suffered the tough moment in my life. She reminds me no matter what there’s always someone by my side to support me.”
– Joyce Ni, photographed by Nicole Chan, Shanghai, China, 2018
Follow the series on Instagram @celebratewomenseries
This week’s photo series is “CELEBRATE WOMEN” — directed by Nicole Chan, with support from other talented photographers. Women respond to the question “What empowers you?” in these raw, minimalist portraits.
“Jogging. I am surprised that I would say this. But it is true. This is my way to release stress, overcome hardship, and regain energy.”
– Chen Chen, photographed by Nicole Chan, Shanghai, China, 2018
Follow the series on Instagram @celebratewomenseries
This week’s photo series is “CELEBRATE WOMEN” — directed by Nicole Chan, with support from other talented photographers. Women respond to the question “What empowers you?” in these raw, minimalist portraits.
“The Charleston, a frenetic dance epitomized by the sassy and fearless flappers, empowers me. I find it very fun, jazzy, innovative and powerful to advocate the beliefs of equality and liberation through the image of flappers and acting out by dancing. As the new women of 1920s, they won the right to vote, broke free from the restrictions of the Victorian age, had hair chopped to boyish chin length, neglected to clinch their waists, wore flashy stockings, painted their face with bright and bold cosmetics, danced the gleeful Charleston moves, and walked with a new, self-confident swagger. ‘It’s the cat’s meow!’”
