Current China Entry policy
Jul 3, 2022, 7:50 am
#2041
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
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.
Jul 3, 2022, 10:29 am
#2042
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,226
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.
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.
Jul 3, 2022, 11:06 am
#2043
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Posts: 9,455
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.
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.
Jul 3, 2022, 12:08 pm
#2044
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 650
Jul 3, 2022, 3:12 pm
#2046
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
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.
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.
Jul 3, 2022, 7:10 pm
#2047
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,610
good to know that there are people who like to call the police when they perceive that someone is breaking the law. Not just in USA :-)
sounds fair to me. If the law says to mask outdoors, then do it. I think it was the rule in my part of USA in 2020 - I definitely have many photos of me wearing a mask outdoors during lots of 2020 and 2021.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jul 3, 2022, 7:41 pm
#2048
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
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.
Jul 4, 2022, 2:01 am
#2049
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,315
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.
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.
Jul 4, 2022, 2:12 am
#2050
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,800
Oh OK. In HK and Australian states, masks are mandated (or removed from mandate) by means of delegated legislation.
Jul 4, 2022, 2:26 am
#2051
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,315
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/02/w...pan-covid.html
Japan’s Secret to Taming the Coronavirus: Peer Pressure
The country has never mandated masks or vaccinations, but it’s evaded the worst of Covid, thanks to a fear of public shaming and the “self restraint police.”
Jul 4, 2022, 2:52 am
#2052
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 2,884
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.
Jul 4, 2022, 12:52 pm
#2053
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,226
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.
Jul 4, 2022, 3:25 pm
#2054
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 650
Jul 4, 2022, 3:27 pm
#2055
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 650
As far as I know there were no visas available for buyers. But it is possible there were special exceptions.