The China Thread

[Crazy_Ivan80]

I wonder, now with Trump, if we'll have a reverse Nixon-event. Given that this is the dumbest timeline it might just happen

[Syt]

"Only Xi could go to Washington?"

[The Minsky Moment]

China going through defense ministers at a rapid pace:

As the article indicates, the position is not significant because the military is under party control.

Of the two predecessors that were also purged, one used to head up China's strategic and tactical missile forces, the other was in charge of the Equipment Development Department of the CMC. Dong commanded the naval forces.

The link here seems to be defense procurement. The missile and naval forces have been showered with funds to modernize and expand platforms and equipment. The "Equipment Development Department" oversees and coordinates defense procurement.  These ministers may have had little or no substantive authority over military command as defense ministers, but they all were deeply connected into the Chinese defense procurement process.

[garbon]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yx2ek1j53o

Gotta catch 'em all: Hong Kong targets 'unfair' claw machines

It's a frustratingly familiar experience for many a fair-goer: just as the coveted plushie makes its way towards the chute of a claw machine, the claw slackens, letting go of the prize.

But now one city has had enough. On Wednesday, Hong Kong's consumer watchdog announced it was mulling regulations on claw machines after rising complaints.

One man had spent HK$500 ($64.4; £50.7) over 45 minutes to win a waffle maker but got "nothing more than a few trinkets", the Consumer Council said.

It said these machines "capitalise on consumers' enthusiasm for testing their luck" and warned people to "spend rationally and be mindful of addiction". But it did not say how it would regulate them.

Forty-two complaints were filed in the first 11 months of this year, up from 16 in 2023 and seven in 2022, the Consumer Council said on Monday.

"The industry often modifies claw settings or introduces obstacles inside claw machines to make winning more challenging... Excessive difficulty or unfair settings could aggravate consumers," the council said in a statement on Monday.

"We believe it's about time to review whether we should regulate claw machine businesses," said Gilly Wong Fung-han, the council's chief executive, said reports.

But Jayden Chen, the founder of a claw machine rental company in Singapore, tells the BBC that programmed claw machines are "actually part of the fun".

"The players then feel the excitement and adrenaline, and will keep going. If they are winning most of the time, who would try for a second or third time?

"Regulations will kill off the fun element," Mr Chen said.

In Hong Kong, claw machine operators do not need a license to set up shop.

In the case of the man who bided for the waffle maker, he had used a claw machine that promised "instant prizes" - the waffle maker was among the array of prices displayed and he had believed that consumers should have the right to select their reward.

A woman, who played another claw machine, complained that each time she was about to move her desired toy towards the chute, the claw would slacken, letting go of the toy.

The machine featured a "guaranteed grab" mechanism for players who had spent at least HK$100 without winning - only in their next try would the claw maintain its grip until the toy is extracted. The woman lamented that this was a "dishonest trade practice".

Reports have shown that claw machines can be programmed to have a strong grip for only part of the time, or for it to drop a prize only after a certain number of tries.

In yet another example given by the council, a third complainant had wanted to break his HK$100 bill into HK$5 coins inside a claw machine arcade. After inserting the bill, however, he received only one HK$5 coin. His request for a refund was denied, and he was instead "compensated" with an equivalent value in play rounds.

The man protested, calling this a case of "forced consumption", but the operator upheld its decision not to issue a cash refund, saying the coin exchange "incurred operating costs such as bank fees".

"Consumers should assess whether the total amount spent is worth the value of the desired prize," it said.

It also advised consumers to video-record their gameplay so that they have some evidence on hand in case of any disputes.

It added that some claw machines are suspected to have been used for gambling activities and urged consumers to exercise caution.

The waffle maker and break change examples are wild.

[HVC]

I demand 100% win guarantee on slot machines!

Although the change example is bullshit.

[garbon]

I demand 100% win guarantee on slot machines!

Although the change example is bullshit.

Who uses an arcade to make change?

[Josquius]

Why on earth would you want a waffle maker in Hong Kong?
Its one of those kitchen gadgets you use maybe 3 times a year and otherwise takes up space.
If there's one thing Hong Kong homes lack....

[mongers]

Never knew bone china included actual bone, thought it was just an old standard's name; so was this a British only thing, or did quality Chinese pottery also include bone?

[garbon]

Never knew bone china included actual bone, thought it was just an old standard's name; so was this a British only thing, or did quality Chinese pottery also include bone?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_china

So English but now Chinese?

[mongers]

Never knew bone china included actual bone, thought it was just an old standard's name; so was this a British only thing, or did quality Chinese pottery also include bone?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_china

So English but now Chinese?

Thanks, that's an odd production story.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

Never knew bone china included actual bone, thought it was just an old standard's name; so was this a British only thing, or did quality Chinese pottery also include bone?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_china

So English but now Chinese?

What isn't these days...