2016 Year in Review: Our Most Read Blogs on the Beijinger in 2016
Taking a look back through the records, we present to you the blog that got the most hits in 2016, both starting and ending with stories about the Zuck-Up himself. Unfortunately for him, Facebook still hasn't shown any signs of being unblocked, and so, we will be sticking to Weibo for yet another year.
Facebook's Zuckerberg Accepts Chinese Green Card Offer, Plans Home in Beijing
Fresh off a jog through Tiananmen Square, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has been named one of the first recipients of a fast-track "green card" program aimed at attracting overseas talent to permanently relocate to China. “It’s apparent to me that the zeitgeist of the digital economy has moved from Silicon Valley to Beijing,” Zuckerberg said, simultaneously announcing the purchase of the southern half of the 798 Art District, where he plans to build a 4,000-square-meter digitally-enhanced smart home patterned after the residential portions of the Forbidden City.
Under the program, Zuckerberg, his Chinese-American wife Priscilla, and their infant daughter will immediately receive Chinese permanent residency, which according to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners entitles them to enjoy equal rights and shoulder the same duties as Chinese nationals, with the only exception being political rights and duties.
Tragic, Sudden Passing of GoodWorks' Samuel Cornthwaite Sends Shockwaves Through Beijing's Expat Community
One of Beijing's most beloved goodwill workers – Sam Cornthwaite, co-founder of the non-profit corporation GoodWorks Coffee & Tea – passed away suddenly on September 6 after a short illness, following complications from acute pancreatitis. His passing sent shockwaves through the city's expat community.
Since Sam's passing, GoodWorks Tea & Coffee has continued under Thomas Crow, and Sam's two favorite brewpubs, Slow Boat Brewery and Great Leap Brewing, have brewed a milk stout together in his memory.
Secret Ingredients: The Truth About China’s “Fake Food”
Healthy eating is key to helping our bodies and minds stay alert throughout the day but what if the food you buy is not what it appears to be?
“Fake food” is a term often associated with China, but it’s used to describe a range of different issues: from low quality products packaged as famous brands, to foodstuffs which are adulterated or altered, and even completely artificial commodities like the legendary man-made eggs. How widespread is the problem really? And how much truth is there in the more outlandish stories? We decided to find out.
Cool Runnings: China's 2016 Marathon Calendar
Perhaps you are one of those crazy running types or maybe you are an inveterate couch potato that has recently made a foolish new year's resolution to run a marathon this year. Whatever your running fetish is, China had a race for you in 2016.
We Put Beijing's Dunkin Donuts to the Test: Which of Their 18 Varieties is the Best?
One of the best things that happened to the Beijinger staff this year was Dunkin Donuts' triumphant return to Beijing after an absence of 15 years. Ahead of the initial store opening (now Dunkin Donuts has 10 stores sprawled throughout the city), we tested 18 varieties of donuts. Did the local donuts taste just like home for us DD fans? And perhaps more pertinent to the long-range prospects for the brand, will Chinese people go for it this time around?
Are You a Grade-A Expat? Beijing's New Work Permitting System Aims to Score, Rank Foreigners
Purported to be a "simplification" of the work permitting process, the new visa regulation (read our first look of the actual ID here) that grade and rank foreigners merges the current work permit application process with the rare "foreign expert" work permit in an effort to standardize the regulation of foreign workers. The report also touted a reduction in paperwork for the application process, without offering too much detail.
Happy National Security Day! Be Careful Dating Foreigners, They Could Be Spies
On everyone’s favorite new day of awareness, National Security Day, a bunch of these comics titled 'Dangerous Love' (sounds like a title for an erotic thriller starring Michael Douglas) were plastered up in residential communities across Xicheng District, and caught the attention of the folks at China Law Translate. These were made to warn women working in political office about the dangers of dating foreigners.
Zuckerberg Shows How Much He Loves China By Running in Beijing's AQI 337 Air Without a Mask
Zuckerberg caught our attention when he ran through AQI 337 air without a mask, and posted on Facebook remarking, "It's great to be back in Beijing! I kicked off my visit with a run through Tiananmen Square, past the Forbidden City and over to the Temple of Heaven." How far would you go to ensure Facebook gets unblocked in China? We certainly won't be doing that in the next couple of days.
For more of what set our blog alight this year head to see our full 2016 Year in Review coverage here.
More stories by this author here.
Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram
Images: Public Domain, Facebook, courtesy of Hannah Cornthwaite, the Beijinger, runchinamarathon.com, Jeremy Daum/China Law Translate
