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Scandal of the Month July 2000 - Update
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18 July 2000
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Bill Brydon, Elton Yuen
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Chinese Team Sticks to Business
Elton Yuen made numerous unsuccessful efforts to interview the Chinese
team while they were in the US, but was only able to speak to the team
leader. The team returned to China on July 17.
Team leader Xiao Fong LIU expressed great appreciation for the efforts
of the Canadian clubs to help with the visa applications (the Edmonton
and Toronto clubs were at this until the last minute). Ms. Liu, the
Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Xiangqi Association, received
the same insulting letter as the players. She told Elton that the team
will certainly return to Canada "if they are invited next time, and if
they get the visas". She said they sent a letter to Edmonton expressing
their good wishes.
On an ironic note, visitors to the Canadian government's China web-site
(www.canada.org.hk) will see an announcement for the "Team Canada"
delegation that Prime Minister Jean Chretien will lead to China in
November. A "Team Canada" made up of government officials and business
people tours the Far East almost every year in order to market Canadian
goods and services. In the announcement, Chretien expresses a high
regard for China: "Our countries have built a strong and enduring
relationship over the past 30 years that goes far beyond business
links".
My first story omitted one Chinese master: Chun Lin WAN of Shanghai. So
there were five elite players, plus Ms. LIU. They visited New York (plus
Atlantic City), San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The first story also did not make clear that the letters were initialed,
not by Canada's minister-counsellor immigration, but by a subordinate.
The minister-counsellor is Susan Gregson. I have faxed her a list of
questions, and will report her response.
In New York, the Chinese beat the local club 4:0 without using all their
GMs. Yin Chuan XU played Hai Qin MOU, who is probably the best player
outside of Asia. This would be a game worth seeing, and we'll try to get
it. Wen Qing YAN was paired with Wei Xuan GAO, and Lin Na WANG with Yin
Kwong LEUNG. We don't have the name of master WAN's opponent.
The famous Da Hua LIU provided commentary on these games, and then gave
a simultaneous blindfolded exhibition. XU was the commentator. The other
three players also gave simultaneous exhibitions.
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