New SEZ in China and Haibao's Market Power

The Chinese government is planning to make Kashgar in the Xinjiang region a special economic zone. The move is probably as much, if not more so, political than economic.
http://www.eeo.com.cn/ens/Politics/2010/07/23/176357.shtml

Tidbits
I find myself slowly losing English language ability even as it has been a week since I landed in Shanghai.

I think our apartment has very thin ceilings because I constantly hear running water when someone upstairs turns on the faucet. But that beats a few days ago when every 5 seconds there was a thump-thump-thump-thump sound in its place.

I think 海寶 is starting to grow on me. I used to think he was one ugly creature but his pervasive presence in the city forces me to take multiple good looks at him...and I suppose he's kind of endearing. Maybe he should stay a permanent mascot for Shanghai. It would make sense to leave all the 海寶-shaped bushes and posters intact rather than tearing them down once the Expo is over. I'm tempted to send 海寶 memorabilia to family and friends back in the States, but they'd probably be like WTF? What is this thing? But he's popular here. Loads of people are walking around carrying the signature 海寶 plush doll. 50 RMB!


海寶 says bye bye for now.