Has anyone else noticed that so-called 'Communist' China's official English internet news portal, China View (Xinhua), is always prominent as a featurer in Google News stories?  And if you have noticed and have taken the time to peruse China View, have you also taken notice of the almost flawless, unrelenting objectivity of the news that's presented?  That's right: no communist propaganda, no apparent slanting toward the 'party line'. They present just about the same matter-of-fact news that you'll find in your favorite hometown newspaper.

But what's more interesting is the insight into life in China that China View portrays (a sample):

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  TV sets will be installed in 3,000 taxis in Beijing within this year, and next year the number will reach 10,000. In related news, passengers now can watch TV on 2,160 buses in Beijing and the number will reach 4,000 by the end of this year.

  
  
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  World Theatre of Dogs   Founded in Uzbekistan, the World Theatre of Dogs is composed of forty people and forty dogs, who perform side by side in a rendition of the fairy tale Cinderella. RMB 80, 100, 200, 300. Tickets at 6590 3399, 6590 3737.   7.30pm. Beijing Exhibition Theatre (6835 4455)

  
  
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  Every Thu, Sun    Nogabe, Beijing's great Afro-beat band plays twice weekly at the CD Jazz Cafe on Sunday and Thursdays at Goose and Duck. Get an earful of Madagascarian madness. Free.

  
  
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  Every Tue   Musical Tuesdays,  In a change from their usual hip hop and other miscellanea, Lush brings in DJs and bands playing rock and jazz to keep the mix fresh. Free.  9pm. Lush (8286 3566)

  
  
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  To protect young people and society at large from HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy, sex education classes in Guangzhou, a city in south China, will be given to children as early as kindergarten.

  
  
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  Baby, Mummy Loves You!  A relaxing concert for pregnant woman and their unborn babies. According to research, listening to classical or relaxing music before birth is good for a baby's development. Dai De, a piano teacher at the Xinghai Conservatory, will play Bach's 'Ave Maria', Debussy's 'Moonlight', Mendelssohn's 'Song of Spring', as well as a selection of folk songs, including 'The Last Rose of Summer' and 'Sweet Home.' Treat the newest member of your family to his or her very first concert! RMB 60, 80, 100.  8pm, Chamber Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall (8735 2222 ext 886, ext 312 for English) (Guangzhou)

  
  
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  Phat Black Pussy Cat   DJ Teng Boon spins R&B with funky soul all night at Phat Black Pussy Cat. Just pray that the toons are sharper than the event name.
  8pm, California Club (5383 2328)  (Shanghai)

  
  
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  Ladies' Night   Girls frolic on the dancefloor while swilling (or just spilling) free margaritas, with feminine-friendly '80s dance tunes all night long. Still big with the fellas too, for some reason.  Zapata's (6474 6629) (Shanghai)
  

  I thought China was still some sort of ideologically hyper-repressive state.  wtf is going on?!