Originally Posted by moondog (Post 34392265)

How does one drink a beer on the sidewalk (legal, and the only option in many places) while wearing a mask? I realize that an obvious solution to this problem would be banning alcohol consumption on sidewalks, but that doesn't seem likely to me because bar owners have been withholding rent for the past 3 months (they basically claim that they can't pay if they aren't permitted to bring in revenues and you promised me that you had amazing 关系 upon lease signing), and this is not good for the economy. They could also lobby to get Lawson's/FamilyMart shut down as well (for booze sales) because a bar than can only sell through a window on the sidewalk is no different in terms of function.

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 34392152)

You probably noticed this before you left China, but the trend has picked up steam during the course of the past several weeks.

The idea is to use cell phone photos/video as a means to snitch on people you deem to be running afoul of the regulations. For example, when I was on Wuding Road (sidewalk) the other night (for Crocus Jerry's birthday celebration), some social media influencer dude rode by on a bicycle, took pics of all of us (not wearing masks), and then posted them to WeChat and Weibo along with derogatory comments about "stupid foreigners". We got the posts removed fairly easily, but not before thousands of views occurred. The influencers do this every day. On a similar note, some of my neighbors have installed CCTV cameras on their balconies so they can monitor outside activities 24/7. Their thrill seems to be more limited in scope than the Weibo guys, from what I can tell, because they only post to our community WeChat group. However, they enjoy shaming people using specific apartment numbers (e.g. Please spit on this guy who lives in building 8, 1003 the next time you see him and tell him he is a monster).

I don't think there is a legal requirement to wear masks outside, but it's quite clear these folks are angered by others who don't possess the requisite community spirit.

I suppose I notice the foreigner targeting more than local targeting because I happen to be a foreigner, and the bloggers are fond of places that foreigners are likely to visit, but I'm not willing to proclaim this is a strictly anti-foreigner movement because the vast majority of the targets in my own compound are elderly locals who go outside at 6a to do taichi or smoke cigarettes. That having been said, the notion of disliking foreigners, especially the ones who take their jobs/women, might be undergoing a new growth phase.

In closing, I agree that zero-covid has a strong backing here...and, this has become moblike.

Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 34389111)

There were Canton fairs in 2021 and 2022 so I don’t know why there wouldn’t be one in 2023.

Originally Posted by MW147 (Post 34393001)

Not that foreigners could attend. But you knew that!

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer (Post 34392843)

I don't think we need to have a mask discussion.

When Covid was still dangerous (and not even vaccinations were available), too many people in the US/Europe thought it's their choice to ignore mask mandates and spread Covid around at will, killing many in the process.

Do what the rules are, or go somewhere else. Your choice.

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer (Post 34392843)

I don't think we need to have a mask discussion.

When Covid was still dangerous (and not even vaccinations were available), too many people in the US/Europe thought it's their choice to ignore mask mandates and spread Covid around at will, killing many in the process.

Do what the rules are, or go somewhere else. Your choice.

Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 34393392)

Plenty of foreigners attended those shows. 😁

Originally Posted by gaobest (Post 34393885)

How? I’m curious how they did it if they’re buyers. I know there are foreigners living in China who are exhibitors. Granted I guess buying agents that are non-native can also attend. For China fairs I’ve only attended as a buyer.

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer (Post 34392843)

I don't think we need to have a mask discussion.

When Covid was still dangerous (and not even vaccinations were available), too many people in the US/Europe thought it's their choice to ignore mask mandates and spread Covid around at will, killing many in the process.

Do what the rules are, or go somewhere else. Your choice.

Originally Posted by tauphi (Post 34394489)

Like Japan, China does not actually have a mask mandate. There are regulations in various places that require masking on entry (e.g., on trains or in malls). However, the main enforcement mechanism is public shaming.

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 34393917)

I'm guessing buyers have minimal trouble obtaining visas (e.g. PU letters issued by the Fair itself). However, we're talking about substantial money/time commitments.

Originally Posted by uanj (Post 34394573)

We were invited to attend virtually or assign a China based agent to represent us. There was no mention of the Fair helping with visas but with staff in China we did not need it. Does anyone know if they actually helped arrange visas? It would be a positive sign if they did.

Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 34393392)

Plenty of foreigners attended those shows. 😁

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 34393917)

I'm guessing buyers have minimal trouble obtaining visas (e.g. PU letters issued by the Fair itself). However, we're talking about substantial money/time commitments.