The Nanfang / Blog

Nanfang Week in Review: June 15-June 21

Posted: 06/22/2014 5:00 pm

yulin dog eating festival controversy animal activistsLast week looked just like this here at the Nanfang:

Sunday:

Monday:g-string condom

Tuesday:massage unconscious paralysis shenzhen

Wednesday:

Thursday:jiangmen student stabbing teacher

Friday:yulin dog eating festival controversy animal activists

Saturday:marilyn monroe statue giant guigang guangxi

Be sure to check out our Twitter feed @thenanfang as well as our Facebook page!

Photos: the Nanfang

Haohao

Report Suspected Terrorist Activity in Shenzhen and Win Big Money!

Posted: 06/18/2014 3:42 pm

If you think “snitches get stitches”, the City of Shenzhen wants you to know that reporting on suspected terrorist plots isn’t just a civic duty, but a profit-earning opportunity as well.

The Shenzhen municipal public security bureau has announced a program to reward citizens who report on terrorist activities as well as suspicious people, objects and vehicles.

But that’s not all: Shenzhen police don’t just want any old wive’s tale, but the juiciest, plum tip-offs. That’s why they’re willing to pay tipsters according to a sliding scale depending upon “how much damage would have been caused” by the suspected plot, reported Shanghai Daily.

READ: 100,000 Beijingers Are Trying to Find Out if You Are a Terrorist

There has been no precedent set to determine which reported act of terrorism will be rewarded with what amount of money, but the cash rewards begin at RMB 2,000 and range upwards to RMB 500,000.

However, the report subtly states that there are in fact no restrictions on how high the reward can get, presumably because, in the most horrifying and terrifying way possible, there are also no restrictions on “how much damage” can be caused by a terrorist act.

So don’t delay! If you spot potential terrorist activity call 110 (emergency services), send an e-mail, letter, text message, or leave a message on the local PSB website. You could always swing by in person, too.

Related:

Photo: indium

Haohao

Guangdong Has The Worst Public Image Of All Provinces In China

Posted: 06/17/2014 5:43 pm

We’ve seen many awards handed to Guangdong province: it has the most livable city in China and cities with the best air in China, for instance. It even has some questionable awards, like having the most crowded place in the world.

However, Guangdong has now been given the dubious honor of being called the province with the worst public image in China according to a blue book report published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The report compiled more than 2,000 media reports concerning public safety, social order, the environment, public services and the performance of government officials and ranked them in terms of public image, province by province.

Tang Jun, editor-in-chief of the report and director of the Crisis Management Center at Renmin University, told Xinhua that he believes the report is a warning of the risks of the country’s rapid transformation.

We can only surmise that the culmination of all these varied awards can means that it is nice to live in Guangdong, but you shouldn’t ruin it by thinking.

Related stories that may somehow pertain to Guangdong’s public image:

Photo: Nanfang

Haohao

Knife Attack Rumor Launches Stampede on Guangzhou Metro

Posted: 06/9/2014 2:42 pm

guangzhou subway stampede terrorism panic attack knife Six people were injured when passengers aboard a Guangzhou Metro Line 3 subway train panicked and began a stampede, reports Sina News Video.

A passenger called out, “There’s a knife attack!” as the subway train pulled into Meihuayuan Station at around 1pm. This caused a surge of people to come from the back of the train, leading to an immediate evacuation onto the subway platform.

The cause of the stampede may be due to a person who had fainted aboard the train.

READ: Knife Attack at Guangzhou Train Station Injures Six People
Suspect “Acted Alone” in Knife Attack At Guangzhou Railway Station

Ever since a number of knife and bomb attacks throughout the country earlier this year, public anxiety has been high as crowds have panicked while the threat of terrorism remains a hot topic in the media.

One person has been charged with spreading rumors online after Shenzhen crowds panicked when a shelf was pushed down in a subway plaza mall near the Dongmen pedestrian walkway, causing a stampede captured on video.

READ: Guangzhou Jittery After False Reports of Knife, Bomb Attacks

Commuters ran for their lives from the Guomao Subway Station on Beijing Metro’s Line 1 on June 5, reports Want China Times. The chaotic stampede was later attributed to a fight between two passengers.

Passengers on the Beijing Metro also experienced another panic attack on April 16 when a dispute between two commuters at the Huixinxijie Nankou Station on Line 5 caused a stampede when panicked passengers tried to get off the train too quickly, reports iFeng.

RELATED: 11,000 Extra Police on Patrol in Guangzhou This Labor Day Holiday

Other instances of stampedes causing injury or death not related to terrorism have previously occurred in China. Four elementary school children died when an iron gate failed to open at the bottom of a stairwell after the end of classes. Eight people died and 26 were injured at the Yucai Middle School in Hunan after the end of classes.

Related:

Photo: Sina News Video via Weibo

Haohao

100,000 Beijingers Are Trying to Find Out If You Are A Terrorist

Posted: 05/30/2014 4:27 pm

The recent trend of arming police with guns in Chinese cities including Guangzhou has now been accompanied by a “societal anti-terrorist initiative” taking place in the nation’s capital.

As reported on Sina News, a total of 100,000 people in Beijing are collecting information and writing reports on any activities they suspect might be terrorist-related. Included in this group are streetside cobblers and newsstand vendors who are ordered to report any suspicious activity at any time.

Furthermore, 85,000 volunteers are joining local police and public security bureau personnel to try and prevent terrorism. This newly-empowered group of civilians will oversee crowded and sensitive areas. They are tasked with being on patrol, maintaining order, and investigating any suspicious activity.

Photo: Sarah’s Blog

Haohao

Shenzhen School Holds Terrorism Drill Involving Mock Knife Attack

Posted: 05/29/2014 2:36 pm

A story titled “Futian Middle School Holds Anti-Terrorism Drill” published by Nandu explained how students at the Shenzhen school were able to “learn anti-terrorism self-protection skills“ in a simulation of a violent terrorist attack.

On May 28, an “Emergency Response Class” was held at Futian Amalgamated Middle School under the direction of police officer Li. Students were first shown a US anti-terrorism short film about Americans arriving at work and encountering a terrorist attack that may have been Die Hard.

Next, students were taught what to do during such an incident: run away, hide, don’t scream or to attract the attacker’s attention, and then later report it to a teacher or police officer. Students were given a chance to practice their new-found anti-terrorism skills when the school held a mock terrorist attack.

Pictures show a knife-wielding assailant that is disappointingly not wearing a black ski mask as depicted in every game of Counter-Strike, but was bald nonetheless and had the politeness to wear white gloves. The terrorist was subdued by school security guards and staff waiting for him to arrive using instruments that could only be described as “anti-terrorism short sticks”, “anti-terrorism long sticks” and “anti-terrorism shields” until he was finally taken away, smiling at a job well done.

futian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhen

Principal Guo Qijun said that the public should not to be scared of a terrorist attack and emphasized the need for more anti-terrorism drills.

There is no word as to whether every knife attack already reported will now be retroactively labeled as an “act of terrorism”.

futian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhenfutian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhenfutian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhenfutian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhenfutian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhenfutian anti terrorism school students knife attack violence shenzhen

Related:

Photos: Yangcheng Evening Report via Weibo

Haohao

Beijing Metro Security Like “Going Through Airport Customs”

Posted: 05/27/2014 1:01 pm

beijing subway security check

Security has been dramatically tightened up in Beijing.

Today, the usual subway security check no longer involves just “putting your bags through”, as commuters now have to be checked as though they are going through airport customs.

This was the scene at Beijing’s Tiantongyuan North Station at the terminus of Line 5 this morning:

beijing subway security checkbeijing subway security check beijing subway security checkbeijing subway security checkbeijing subway security checkbeijing subway security check

Photos: Weibo

Haohao

Don’t Try and Outrun Bullets, Don’t Tweet, and Other Tips from China’s Terrorist Survival Guide

Posted: 05/23/2014 7:58 pm

This is an infographic that was published on the Sina News portal on May 22, the same day that an attack occurred in public market in Urumqi, Xinjiang that killed 31 people and injured more than 90.

The infographic itself has been separated into several portions. We’ve gone ahead and done a translation into English, as a public service (of course).

Terrorist Attack Survival Handbook

Terror attacks have occurred again in Urumqi, Xinjiang in which the [loss of] life reminds us that we must remain vigilant at all times in public places. Even though the chance of getting involved in a terrorist attack is less than winning the grand prize in a lottery, we should nonetheless prepare ourselves with survival knowledge and tips in order to make losses as minimal as possible.

Upon encountering a violent attack, please keep THESE six points in mind!

1. When encountering such an incident, don’t just stand around and be a spectator.

2. Do not provoke the person committing this violent attack; by all means, do not scream or yell in a horrified way.

3. If there is no way to escape the violent attack in a public area, find a large-scale object to hide in or cover you, and lie down.

4. Try to maintain a calm composure and observe the present situation at the scene. When the time is right, withdraw from the scene to a remote location.

5. Don’t take out your smartphone in order to take pictures, post a microblog, etc.

6. Remain flexible to take whichever course of action necessary depending upon the present situation.

Upon Encountering an Explosion, Do the Following

Situations:

Bomb explosion, car bomb, suicide bomber, etc

Response:

If a bomb has exploded, stabilization is the most important thing.

First step of self-preservation is to get down.

Find cover as this will greatly reduce your chance of getting hurt from flying debris as well as prevent inhalation from any harmful gases.

Observe if there is going to be a secondary explosion and any further injuries. Don’t run around in a panic: this may easily be what the perpetrator of the explosion wants you to do, and could result in more people getting hurt.

If you are on fire, don’t run around; instead, extinguish the fire by rolling around on the ground or use heavy clothing to suppress the fire. Do not waste any time worrying about your personal effects and belongings instead of escaping from the scene.

Upon Encountering a Gun Attack, Do the Following

Situations:

Shots fired from a handgun, shots fired from a rifle, shots fired from a machine gun, etc.

Response:

First Step: Get Down

Quickly cover yourself; quickly have your body adopt a low position. Use every possible single object in your environment to shield yourself.

Do not attempt to outrun the bullets.

china chinese terrorism survival handbook bomb shooting explosions knife attacks

Response:

The cover you select can save your life.

The best cover is that which is in-between you and the terrorist.

Objects That Can Shield Your Body and Act as Cover

Objects that can easily conceal a body. For example, a pillar.

No: Lamp posts, trunks of small trees, fire hydrants (as their volume is too small, these items can not sufficiently cover your body).

china chinese terrorism survival handbook bomb shooting explosions knife attacks

No: Small hills, ornamental stones (not standardized, easy to be affected by bullets)

Can Block Bullets:

Walls, pillars, large tree trunks, the engine block at the front of a car, tires, etc.

Can’t Block Bullets:

Wooden doors, glass doors, garbage bins, bushes, flower baskets, counters, office chairs, car doors and the rear portion of cars, etc.

Upon Encountering a Robbery, Do the Following

Situations:

Robber, carjacking, boat, airplane, etc.

Response:

china chinese terrorism survival handbook bomb shooting explosions knife attacks

Stay calm, do not resist, trust in the government.

Don’t look or talk to them. Lie on the floor. Movements should all be very slow.

Stuff newspapers and magazines into your clothes, particularly into the area in the front of your chest. Often, this is able to defend against knife attacks made by the attacker.

Try your best to keep and conceal any communication devices you have, and promptly set them to silent mode. At the appropriate time, use a text message or other method to notify the police (110) to call for help. The main content of the message should be your exact location, what condition people around you are in and how many people there are, how many terrorist there are, etc.

Pay attention to how many terrorists there are, who their leader is; later, at the appropriate time, provide your evidence.

At the instant that police make their move, try to get down on the ground as best as you can. Under the cover of police, leave the scene.

Upon Encountering arson, Do the Following

Situations:

Public bus, train, cabin, underground shopping plaza, high-rise building, public amusement park, car driving into a tunnel, and subway.

Response:

Do not lose control and panic, blindly scream and yell, be worried about any personal belongings, recklessly open windows and doors, take the elevator, run around however you’d like, jump off a building.

Photos: Sohu via Weibo

Haohao

Guangdong a Hotbed of Guns in China

Posted: 05/23/2014 9:00 am

From the beginning of the year until May 20, Guangdong seized 805 illegal guns and 7,739,300 kilos of gun powder, He Guangping, deputy head of the Guangdong Police Department said in a press briefing on Thursday as the province steps up efforts to crack down on violent crimes following a spate of knife attacks in train stations and explosions across the country.

Illegal guns destroyed in Guangdong in 2013. Photo credit: Shenzhen Business Daily

A total of 232 people suspected of selling guns online have been arrested, China News reported. In addition, 9,130 detonators and 316,000 gun replicas were seized in the province. The report did not specify if the weapons were intended for use with domestic criminal gangs or for export. Private ownership of guns is banned in China, and gun-related crimes in the country are relatively rare.

The police said 338 gun-related cases were solved during this period, but also that crimes related to illegal gun use were on the rise in the province. For example, 48 cases involving illegal manufacturing, selling and trading of guns and gun powder were busted in Guangdong last year, a 23% increase over the year before, the report said. And some of the criminal gangs involved with gun-related crimes were also found selling drugs and committing robberies.

The City of Lufeng, notorious for gun use, was responsible for 90 gun-related crimes in 2013, a total of 7.4% of all gun crimes in Guangdong. A crime-ridden city in Guangdong, Lufeng is also notorious for drugs. Local drug manufacturers were seen armed with guns such as AK-47′s in one of its villages, Boshe, during a police drug raid in January this year.

The Guangdong Police Department said it will launch a clamp-down on gun-related crimes during the month of June.

Home page image: China News 

Haohao

Heroes of Guangzhou Knife Attack: Migrant with Rod, Officials with Guns [UPDATED]

Posted: 05/8/2014 6:22 pm

Hero Shan is shown in the middle, and the attacker depicted at left. The armed officials have not shown up yet.

When calamity and chaos strike, it is the heroes that step forward and distinguish themselves by their actions. It is in the nature of a hero to act because the one defining characteristic they all share is that a hero serves.

On the morning of May 6, a man began to indiscriminately attack passengers leaving the Guangzhou Railway Station with a long bladed knife, causing non life-threatening injuries to six people before being shot and detained by police. And it’s because of heroes like Shan that the situation didn’t get any worse.

READ: Suspect Acted Alone in Knife Attack at Guangzhou Railway Station

Mr Shan is a 42 year-old migrant all the way from Heilongjiang Province. After arriving in Guangzhou at 11am, he unexpectedly became caught up in the knifing incident as he was leaving the plaza.

Shan was very fortunate when the backpack he was wearing helped deflect some of the slashes made at him by the knife-wielding attacker, and as a result only suffered minor injuries.

Shan told his story to the Southern Metropolis Daily. ”I picked up a wooden rod that had been left on the ground by other passengers to confront the attacker,” he said. “More people would have been stabbed if I hadn’t done that, because the attacker stabbed everyone he met like crazy.”

Shan also added, “When the attacker moved, I also moved to block him so that he couldn’t hurt others.”

READ: Eyewitness Accounts Depict Horrors of
Guangzhou Railway Station Attack

As reported by China Daily, Shan said he used the rod to knock away the suspect’s knife before police officers rushed in. This statement contradicts earlier published reports, and if true, signifies that the police had shot an unarmed man.

But that is but one half of the heroic coin that pays for the safety of our society. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the officials that we see in photographs getting the job done.

In the wake of the Guangzhou Railway Station knife attack, Chinese officials got personally involved with the beefing of security at train stations across the country. Reported as having made personal tours of inspection are Fu Zhenghua, vice-minister of the Ministry of Public Security, who visited Beijing Railway Station; vice-minister Liu Yanping, who visited several railway stations in Shanghai; and Huang Baowei, head of the Zhengzhou public security bureau, who made an inspection of rural areas of the city.

RELATED: Knife Attack at Shenzhen North Station Watched by
Crowd of Bystanders

It’s always great to have officials making sure that security is tight, but those wanting an extra layer of security may sleep better knowing that these officials are described as making these inspections while “armed. You know that these guys have all got your back when they’re packing heat.

Meanwhile, the the identity of the sole suspect in this attack has still not yet been revealed to the public. As well, the SCMP confirms an early report that said the suspect loitered at the Guangzhou Railway Station for hours before making the attack as citing a security video that features the suspect in it.

UPDATE May 9, 2014: Our hero gets the recognition he deserves.

Yesterday, Shan Lianbo and Wang Fengwu were both recognized by the city for their heroic deeds in helping police confront the attacker that put six people in hospital. Both men were awarded a “Guangzhou Samaritan Certificate” as well as a RMB 5,000 cash reward.

Photo: Weibo (1)

Haohao
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