Stay Cool, Go Back to School with beijingkids
It’s that time of year again… when kids pick up their schoolbags with a weary sigh, and parents breathe a secret sigh of relief. Another school year has begun, and beijingkids will be there as always to document all the joys and challenges ahead for the city’s international school community. If you’re new to Beijing then welcome! China’s capital is a busy, exciting, and vibrant place to be, if sometimes an exhausting one. Check out our website at www.beijing-kids.com and join our WeChat official account. (What do you mean you’re not on WeChat? You’ll need to be to get the best out of life in China.) On our website right now you can find out how to save money on school supplies, and get advice on the transition from primary to secondary school, as well as Taobao bargains to get you through the August heat. (What do you mean you don’t use Taobao?…) And throughout the year we’ll be bringing you all the latest news and top tips so you can get the best out of life in the city. That’s why we’re Beijing’s essential international family resource.
Longer Days and Facial Pays on Beijing’s Subway
Beijing’s subway system is an efficient way to get around a sometimes traffic-choked city, though it can get uncomfortably crowded during the rush hour. However, early closing times can sometimes leave us stranded, and reliant on Didi. Fortunately running times have now been extended on lines 1 and 2, which now operate until around 12.30am. On the Airport Express Line, however, the news is not so good. Experiments with facial recognition technology are intended to make it easier to travel: no need to even wave your phone at the barrier, a friendly camera will recognize you and add the fee to your personal account. However all this is bound to raise further concerns about the spread of surveillance in China. The choice of the Airport Express Line is an interesting one, as this will disproportionately capture foreigners, and there has been no information about whether it will be possible to opt out and buy tickets the old-fashioned way. However, with Alipay and WeChat Pay gradually replacing cash, we face a future where the government will know everywhere you go and every penny that you spend.
Hiking Ban for Beijing’s Landlords
Beijing’s landlords are notorious for their dodgy practices, such as suddenly announcing a huge rent increase. Now at last the city authorities have proposed new regulations which might curb some of their more excessive behavior. The regulations will forbid any rent hikes unless they are agreed by both parties, prevent landlords from making structural changes to the property during the lease, and set new rules about deposits. All good news for the city’s renters – all we need now is for the regulations to be implemented…
Zaijian to Jialefu
Carrefour, Europe’s largest retailer, has been a godsend for many international families in Beijing, with their supermarkets stocking affordable imported western treats. Sadly the French company has begun the process of withdrawing completely from China, having sold 80 percent of their business to Suning. At the time of writing there was no visible change in our local store, but over the coming months shoppers might need to start looking for a new source of fromage de chèvres.
Witness the Birth of a Genius at UCCA
Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) is widely regarded as the twentieth century’s most important artist, over his long career having experimented with many different styles while always remaining distinctively himself. This month offers an unprecedented opportunity for Beijingers to see how he developed his talent. Birth of a Genius features 103 works from Picasso’s first three decades, including paintings and sculptures, with the earliest having been created when he was only a child. The art comes from the collection of the Musée national Picasso-Paris, and has been specially chosen by the museum’s Head of Collections for display in Beijing. The exhibition, which has been described as “the most significant exhibition of work by Picasso ever to take place in China,” can be seen at UCCA in the 798 Art District until 1 September. Tickets cost RMB 188 (holidays) or RMB 158 for adults, and RMB 138 for students.
Clampdown on Profiteering Preschools
Changes to the rules governing private kindergartens recently caused concern among international families and teachers. Parents were told that the kindergartens had been forced to reduce their fees, and therefore could no longer afford foreign teachers. This led to speculation that further restrictions on international schools might follow. However, the move appears to be part of a clampdown on profiteering by kindergartens on compounds, to make local childcare affordable for all parents. The kindergartens in question were often given the space at low or nominal rent, and education authorities are unimpressed at the tendency to jack up fees. Kindergartens which own their own settings are unaffected, and we have no reason to believe that any changes with regard to international schools are planned.
This article appeared in the beijingkids July-August 2019 Teen Takeover issue
