In the Red?

September 3, 2010

After eight years' preparation, the TV series A Dream of Red Mansions, based on one of the Four Great Classic Novels of Chinese Literature, is finally on show. No sooner had the series begun than audiences began to criticize its cast and representation of the original novel. Many also questioned how producers could have spent 118 million yuan ($17.43 million) on the show, and doubted whether investors would ever recoup the huge investment. But the producers are confident of breaking even, and incoming revenue has already covered the bulk of the costs.

Beijing Times

Falsified Contracts

September 4, 2010

 Xiaogan University in Hubei Province announced students will not be granted diplomas and degree certificates upon graduation unless they show employment contracts. There have been two main consequences of the policy: first, numerous false contracts have been submitted; and second, the university's graduate employment rate for 2010 reportedly rose to more than 95 percent.

Universities have no legal right to retain accreditation unless students have bad records. Nowadays, Chinese universities' recruitment quotas and government appropriations are heavily influenced by the employment rate of its graduates.