Hao Hao ReportThe best China news and blog posts

China is one of the fastest growing destinations for tourists and businessmen, but many visitors are intimidated by the language barrier. Now there's a possible solution from China One Call (0845 500 2122; www.chinaonecall.com) a translation service at the end of the phone which launches on 16 October. You dial up a call centre and explain what you are trying to say, then hand your mobile to the taxi driver/waiter/receptionist who is given the message in Mandarin. You pre-pay blocks of call time - 60 minutes costs £39.

An interesting post on Danwei regarding Google's translation engine making some pretty serious goofs in English/Chinese translation. This all just furthers my view that online translation continues to suck more than Jenna Jameson working overtime.

New media reports & surveillance video show that the young university student that was beaten to death first started attacking the 6 police officers. Chinese netizen were originally sympathetic and critical of the police but now many feel the student got what he deserved.

Leisure and business travel to China is booming, mobile phones services have caught up to developed world standards and the Olympics, which China is expecting to attract half a million foreign tourists, are two months away.

One thing I don’t really understand –why do some westerners come to China if they ’hate it’ so much? Not understanding the culture or the language – well, have you tried even to learn the language? Or how about getting some Chinese friend? I haven’t loved every country where I have lived, but I have always at least given it a try, and tried to make the most of it? Well, I suppose living abroad is not suitable to everyone.

Ever since the China consulates in the U.S has stopped accepting visa mailing services, all the travelers need to go to the Consulate offices to apply and obtain their China visas. But now, Oasis China Visa Services offers the fastest and the most reliable visa mailing services as the visa agent.

A review of a new Chinese language learning software developed by Cornell graduates. A life instructor guides you along the entire program. Fully interactive and beautifully designed.

Founded by Pony Ma in Shenzhen, China, in November 1998, Tencent is now recognized as the leading provider of Internet, mobile & telecommunications value-added services in China. QQ, Tencent's instant messaging service platform, officially launched in Feb 1999 and announced in its 2006 Q3 report that it has 221.4 million active users. What's more, the total registered user accounts has climbed to 572.3 million!

A Nanjing traffic police officer stops a car with black Volkswagen Santana with military license plates for running a red light, using his body to block the car. The drivers of the military car come out and argue with the police officer. Netizen reaction supports the police but all internet discussion was censored and deleted after a few days.