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There are over 660 cities in China, each with its own fascinating history and unique flavor, blending the ancient past with the energy and opulence of the future. 49 of these cities have a population of over 1 million people; many of them are populated with 10 million or more! There is so much to see and so many experiences awaiting you; just remember to pack a copy of SPEAK E-Z CHINESE and you'll be able to communicate more freely and clearly with the many friendly and helpful people you meet! Here's a list of Chinese cities spelled phonetically, making it easier for you to pronounce them correctly as you're booking flights, purchasing railway tickets, or simply telling your Chinese friends where you've been and where you're going. Enjoy!

Be sure to download our free audio files for Chapter XIV, "Places to Go – Things to See," of SPEAK E-Z CHINESE In Phonetic English. There are many different city landmarks provided in user-friendly English, and they are available at our site: www.CathayCafe.com. Remember: We're on your way!

Face: Have It; Save It; Give It; Don't Lose It

Having face (yoh mee-en zih) can loosely be defined as a form of status or self-respect, and is considered highly important to the Chinese. Essentially, it's about earning and keeping a good reputation, and ultimately, avoiding being made to look stupid or being forced to back down in front of others. Remember, a negotiated settlement of differences is always preferable to a confrontation.

Having face in front of one's business colleagues or within a community is literally a statement of that person's value. As we say in Western culture, "His word is as good as gold." This is essentially what a good face means to the Chinese.

Generally, you'll discover that Chinese people insist on buying you drinks and meals, giving you gifts, food and cigarettes. If you refuse, they'll insist some more. The more you refuse, the more they insist, and so on. Usually, you'll give up and accept what's been offered.

What is happening during these rituals of insistence and refusal is an exchange of face. The giver is actually gaining face, and while the receiver does not gain face, he or she must be careful not to appear too eager to receive the gift, or else they will lose face. Get the gist of it?

Face is equivalent to the Western concept of a good reputation, only more highly valued. It is gained by demonstrating the willingness (and the wherewithal) to share. Generosity is a big part of showing face. And accepting a friend's generosity (with a show of polite reluctance) is a way for people of lesser means and social standing to give something of value in return.

Of course, this means that giving is actually getting, and if you always receive, you'll lose in the long run. That's why it is common to see friends fighting each other at restaurant cash registers.

As a "foreign friend," you'll perpetually find yourself in the position of guest, and probably encounter a free meal or two. But those who stay in China for any length of time, especially business people, might want to start thinking of inventive ways to beat their associates to the bill, and gain some face.

In The News...

China Christmas toy orders up despite quality fears

By Lindsay Beck

BEIJING (Reuters) - Orders for Chinese toys are on the rise in the run-up to Christmas despite a wave of product recalls that have shaken confidence in the safety of Chinese-made goods, the country's product safety chief said on Wednesday.

Millions of Chinese-made toys have been recalled this year, mostly because of excessive levels of lead in paint and other components, stoking U.S. complaints that lax quality controls were threatening consumers.

But Li Changjiang, the head of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, said factory owners in the southern province of Guangdong, China's manufacturing heartland, told him business was booming.

"They told me, 'our orders are all up', the workers have to work overtime or the orders cannot be met," Li told reporters. "When I heard this, I was shocked."

Problems with Chinese exports prompted the world's biggest toy maker, Mattel Inc, to recall about 21 million of its Chinese-made toys earlier this year. A senior Mattel executive later apologized to China for the trouble the recall had caused.

But in the past few weeks another half a million toys ranging from Winnie the Pooh bookmarks to Baby Einstein blocks were recalled in the United States because of levels of lead, which can be toxic in large amounts.

Li has been spearheading China's public relations drive to restore confidence in the "made-in-China" label, rounding up manufacturers for a crash course in quality supervision and urging companies to make clear in contracts their obligations.

"These unqualified products, especially products exported through illegal channels, have affected the credibility of some Chinese products," he said.

But he also said some of the concern abroad was driven by trade protectionism, and that the quality issue "should not be exaggerated."

Tainted Chinese goods have ranged from tires and toothpaste to drugs and seafood.

The number of orders for Chinese toys showed that companies were still happy to manufacture in China, Li said, adding that authorities would enhance supervision and increase severity of punishments to crack down on illegally made products.

"Ahead of Christmas, China's toy-makers will provide safe and reliable toys to children around the world by ensuring their quality," Li said.