Aug 03 2008
Heard It on the Grapevine
The expatriate community in Beijing thrives on gossip. Even at a local level, China’s decision-making processes remain closed to the public, and especially to foreigners, or laowai (“old outsiders”). As a result, the rumor mill is often the best source of information about things both extraordinary and mundane. In preparation for the Olympic Games and international scrutiny, Beijing has undergone many major and minor changes in infrastructure, security, appearance, and regulations. The gossip has increased proportionally in volume and drama, so some of the best rumors come after the jump.