In an effort to build better communication and greater understanding between cultures, the Richmond News has launched a feature we’re calling In Translation, which translates into English the headline and a summary of the top news stories appearing in local Chinese media outlets.
1) Headline: “A retail store selling N95 face masks deny jacking up prices,” Ming Pao, Feb. 1.
Summary: Ming Pao ran a story about a Chinese customer, only identified as Chen, who claimed that a Canadian Tire store in East Vancouver was selling unpackaged N95 face masks that were being touched by customers in the store.
He also said the masks were being sold at an inflated price. The store was selling a box of ten face masks for $16.99 online, said Chen, but single masks were being sold in the store for $5.99 each.
A spokesperson for Canadian Tire confirmed that they did sell unpackaged masks in one store, but stopped the practise and disposed of the masks.
The spokesperson said the store was hoping to promote the product, but had not meant to increase the price, according to Ming Pao.
2) Headline: “Coronavirus whistleblower doctor dies from illness, without apology” Sing Tao Daily, Feb. 7.
Summary: Dr. Li Wenliang, the doctor in Wuhan, China who was disciplined by Chinese authorities for alerting the public about the coronavirus outbreak, died Feb. 7 from the virus.
Li, 34, an ophthalmologist who worked at Wuhan Central Hospital, caught the disease on Jan. 8 after performing surgery on an elderly, infected patient.
On Dec. 30, Li posted to his online medical school alumni group that his hospital had been seeing a number of patients who were presenting with a SARS-like illness.
Soon after Li had shared the posting, he was accused by Wuhan police of spreading “rumours.”
According to the paper, Li’s death prompted a barrage of angry comments on Chinese social media platforms about how hard it is to find people in China who have the courage to speak the truth as Li had done.
The World Health Organization offered condolences and appreciation for all his work. His parents are now also infected with the coronavirus, said the Sing Tao.
3) Headline: “Pacific Plaza raised $22,800 for the Richmond Hospital Foundation,” Sing Tao, Feb. 5.
Summary: Pacific Plaza and AA Property Management raised $22,800 for Richmond Hospital Foundation to improve the local healthcare system.
According to the paper, the strata council members of Pacific Plaza recognize the need for Richmond Hospital to build a new acute care tower. The members also said the donation would create a positive impact on the local community.
The current tower is more than 50-years-old, and would not withstand a moderate earthquake and fails to meet the demands of the city’s rapidly growing population.
4: Headline: “A Chinese-Canadian flower shop owner targeted by racism amid coronavirus outbreak,” Ming Pao, Feb. 2.
Summary: Another coronavirus-related racist incident against the Chinese community took place in Canada.
Andy Sue, who has been running a flower shop in Toronto for many years with his wife Wing Ye, told Ming Pao that he was shocked to be the victim of a verbal attack by a woman who came into his shop and burst into what the Ming Pao described as a “xenophobic tirade.”
Sue, who grew up in the Toronto neighbourhood of Birch Cliff, said a woman walked into his store and asked him if he came from China.
“I told her I was born in Canada, but my parents originally came from China. Then she kept asking if I have ever been to Wuhan. I said, no.”
However, their conversation didn’t end there, as the woman continued to express her views about the situation regarding the coronavirus before walking out the door, according to the Ming Pao.
However, the paper didn’t offer any more details about the exchange or why it was described as a “xenophobic tirade.”
After Sue’s experience came to light in the media, the Ming Pao reports that many of people from his neighbourhood have shown love and support for him.
