Chinese Students Shocked, Appalled at Obama’s Town Hall Meeting

Chinese students in Shanghai were shocked, appalled, incredulous, and generally uncomfortable at President Obama’s town hall meeting yesterday afternoon.

The audience, made up of carefully-screened students from several Shanghai universities, was stunned that a head of state could have a personality and speak to them as if they were real people. “We expected to be addressed en masse like subjects,” said Jiaotong University student Wang Jiabo. “It was strange and unnerving to be drawn into a discussion.”

Expats to Street Food Vendors: “The Jig Is Up”

Foreigners outside metro stops citywide have been seen walking off in a huff, outraged by what seems to be an outbreak of race-related overcharging.

“This is ludicrous,” muttered Daniel McKay of Portland, Oregon, rummaging through his wallet for another one-yuan note. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Dwoh-shaow chee-yen?” McKay asked again, then leaned in and asked louder, forcing the baozi vendor to resort to hand gestures when he seemed unable to understand the amount specified in Chinese.

The Supreme Court, Hollywood Style

Souter announces his retirement

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Liberal U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter said in a letter to the White House that he intends to retire.

“When the Supreme Court rises for the summer recess this year, I intend to retire from regular active service as a justice,” he said in a one-paragraph letter notifying President Barack Obama of his retirement plans. The high court goes on recess at the end of next month.

Mainland Sightseers Defend Against Attacks

Last week, in response to aspersions cast on Zhao Genda, many mainland travelers have banded together and defended their actions while on Taiwanese soil.

Hu Jintao Just as Surprised as You About YouTube Being Blocked

This morning, Chinese President Hu Jintao called an emergency press conference and expressed shock at accusations that the Chinese Government was somehow responsible for the recent blockage of YouTube.