– In Bush’s footsteps: Online reactions to an incident in Britain yesterday in which Premier Wen Jiabao was the target of a thrown shoe. [Global Voices Online]
– A poll shows government efforts to nurture businesses during these down times may not always be popular. [China Labour Bulletin]
– Pressure grows for a closer look into yet-to-be-proved suspicions that a dam may have contributed to last year’s deadly Sichuan earthquake. [Shanghaiist]
– China’s underground shanzhai New Year’s celebration — intended to celebrate China’s common people and their resourcefulness — fizzled out. Did concerned officials play a role? One possible indication: the phrase “Shanzhai Gala” is now a “sensitive word.” [Danwei]
– Despite the tough times, it’s not all bad for foreign companies doing business in China. [China Success Stories]
– Some common New Year’s greetings fall by the wayside. Their crime: Sounding too much like phrases of ill omen.
– Carlos Tejada