The Week Oct 15, 2010

Monkey business

The big news in Asia sports this week was the 2010 Commonwealth Games that ended Thursday in neighboring India. Sure, there were plenty of stories about the athletes. But one of the odder sights was the use of monkey guards. Big langur monkeys were used to stop smaller monkeys – a common sight in India – from snatching purses and harassing unsuspecting sports fans.

Let's Go Expo … again!

There's monkey business going on this week at the 2010 World Expo under way in Shanghai. There's so much to do, and so much to see. So let's go Expo! The Czech Pavilion at the Expo this week opened its exhibit on the Monkey King. Czech version was based on China's legends of the Monkey King. You can see both at Expo pavilions.

The 2010 Expo ends on Oct 31. But according to a new survey this week by Shanghai-based Touchmedia, many China residents are eager to host another Expo in the future.

Beep! Beep!

China's booming car market is back in the news. CNTV.cn this month reports that China sold 40 percent more cars in the first eight months of 2010, compared to the same period a year ago. In Beijing alone, 1,900 new cars are being sold every day this year. At this rate, researchers estimate that average Beijing traffic speeds will slow to 15 kilometers per hour by 2015. Bicycles can travel that fast. But will people on foot be able to travel faster than cars, too? The Week investigates.

Oodles of noodles!

As the weather turns from warm to cool to cold this time of year, the real traffic jams will be outside noodle restaurants. Hot, delicious noodles are a favorite fall and winter treat in China. Fans in China and Japan are experts at eating noodles with chopsticks. But as China welcomes more Americans each year, coming here to study and work, their skills at eating noodles with chopsticks can be a little messy. Let's turn to this week's special report: Oodles of Noodles!

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About the broadcaster:

Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from