Apple users in China have long been treated as second class citizens when it comes to surfing the web. Quite simply, many sites just don’t work well. Often one is confronted with buttons that don’t click, pictures that are misaligned, or login boxes that don’t allow you to login. Alipay (支付宝) and Taobao (淘宝网), China’s biggest online payment platform and auction site respectively have long required special Active X / Javascript plugins to work properly – typically these are released exclusively for Internet Explorer only. Now, however, it’s possible to download a Mac version of this plugin.

Note: This only works on Safari at present.

Upon entering Alipay or Taobao, you should notice a link (请点此输入密码) in lieu of the password prompt at the login form. Click this link, and you will get an inline popup. If you do not see a link but are able to enter your password in the form, you might have already installed the plugin or Alipay might have finally come to their senses!

Otherwise, now click the button (立即安装) to download the plugin.

The plugin will work for both Alipay and Taobao sites (they are both same company), though may require a restart of your safari browser first.

That Apple users are finally gaining some recognition in China is excellent news, though there’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately even after your purchase on Taobao you will be faced with a payment problem as most online banking platforms are not Apple compatible. Nonetheless it’s a good beginning, and at least payment is still possible via pre-deposit into Alipay or through other methods such as mobile phone topup card.

Lots of PRC flags on display throughout Tibet

I put this issue to my guide: apparently some Tibetans have been harassed in the past for not being patriotic enough. So there you have it – the secret to a harmonious society: coercion and forced patriotism.

Surely the local party chiefs can’t be this stubborn?

This is alongside updated pricing plans (linked tariff for non-iPhone users), promising greater data quota’s than previous packages and China Mobile’s current offerings. The higher the service plan used, the cheaper the iPhone is sold for. This offer requires a 24 month service commitment.

Details of pricing and service plans available on China Unicom Online Store (or in English via Google Translate). There are slight differences over the standard packages, notably increased data quota and free SMS bundles.

Note: Chinese iPhones have WiFi disabled, but are not carrier locked. For a full featured unlocked phone, consider purchasing from Apple Store Hong Kong. Or wait for a WAPI/WiFi release in China.

Case in point: note the following series of screenshots (apologies for the bad quality). This series exemplifies the three-step payment process at the automated machines available in most China Mobile outlets in China. Through these machines you can pay your bill using bank card, without need to queue.

Tap “payment” to proceed with the payment.

Never mind the announcement that the ‘receipt printer works’ (though it’s nice to know) – note the “Credit Card” option. Tap here to select credit card payment method.

- and of course, finally an announcement that this feature is not yet supported. Which begs the question “why the hell is there a choice in the first place?”.

This example is not unique : many online payment gateways will “accept” credit card, only to disappoint later with a notice that the feature is not yet implemented. Similarly, we recently came across an option for “online submission” on our local tax receipt reporting form (地税发票审报) that we must regularly update with the government. Upon submitting the form (in person) we are told that there is no online submission yet.

If you take the express train to Tianjin and purchase your ticket at the aptly named TVM (Ticket Vending Machine), you are again given an option to pay with card (incl. bank card) – but none of those are currently supported.

When will China learn the importance of easy user interface and user experience vs. creating a false image of offerings it cannot fulfill? I suspect a lot of hairs can be saved if developers and system designers can finally come out of their bubbles and realise the time and frustration that can be prevented if something were designed properly.

Although a late entry to the China Market (Li Ka Shing-owned Watsons has been here for years), it is promising to see some healthy competition as well as yet another sign of Beijing’s growing importance as an international city.

They even sell Vitasoy and Vita Lemon Tea – some of the Hong Kong products I miss.

Sure we all did at some point, but nowhere before has it been so noticeable and prevalent to me. Should I be worried? In this day and age where talk is about muslim extremism and terrorism, it’s somewhat disconcerting to see so many boys running around with plastic pistols. That was particularly noticeable in Kashgar (喀什), where easily half of the kids I encountered were playing with toy guns, probably purchased and paid for by their parents.

If these are the values being instilled upon these young lads, it’s no surprise if one or two of them eventually move on to practicing real violence. Of course, giving a toy gun doesn’t imply they will; for that matter owning a real gun doesn’t mean you’ll use it. But as something I noticed quite obviously within minutes of walking around town – it does make you wonder.

Looking back though BOCOG did an excellent job at the Olympics: crowd control was organised, transport to and from the venues sufficient, volunteers were helpful – even the weather held up throughout most of the games. The opening and closing ceremonies both breathtaking (despite learning of the singing girl’s miming), and who could complain about the Olympic green itself: magnificent and beautiful, if not a tad too big.

Now, at the Paralympics, much of the arrangements remain the same though superficial change is evident. Banners around town have all changed to “Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games”, volunteers now wear Paralympic shirts. The IOC have been replaced by the IPC (as have all corresponding road signs) and the Olympic traffic lane is now the Paralympic Lane. In the game the podiums have been replaced with wheelchair friendly slopes instead, French is no longer used in announcements, and nor are spectators asked to stand for the anthem (though most still do).

In the Olympic Green, I’d say the main change is the people. During the Paralympics a larger number of “day pass” tickets are available giving more the opportunity to just wander around the green. It also means more “common folk” – not to sound snobby but let’s face it China isn’t quite there yet with social sophistication – and that does mean more disorganisation. It’s free seating at the venues too, which is great for letting more people be part of the games, but does lower the atmosphere somewhat with people walking all over the place.

In terms of the sport it’s sad that most regard the Paralympics as second rate to the Olympics. That is understandable, yet those i’ve spoken to here who did not manage to see the Olympics and who wanted to see the venues, show no interest in Paralympics as they don’t want to watch disabled people. But Paralympic tickets are readily available (bar the water cube), and cheap, and therefore a great opportunity to be part of the Olympic movement.

If anything I find the level of competition even more amazing for a disabled athlete and in particular look forward to wheelchair rugby!

They are for safety, and with the way most Beijing taxi drivers drive, they should be more concerned!

On other news, ITN’s John Ray is bundled into a police van for merely doing his job and reporting protests – something he is entitled to do under the new rules stipulating press freedom. Clearly the police did not get the memo, and instead were being typically intrusive – yet another embarrassing scene for international television. But did it stop us from seeing the protests? No.

As for the local media? Obviously there has not been much change there, with the news being as orchestrated as ever during the Olympics period. Change is taking pace, slowly, but so far it doesn’t look like the Olympics has had much immediate impact on the local media.

The aircraft was returning from Greek island Kos (now there’s a surprise – Brits on a beach holiday) when two drunk women in their mid twenties started being abusive. They are suspected to have smuggled alcohol on board.

For other passengers it was no doubt an early welcome to the UK – or for the fellow Brits, “welcome home” before landing.

People like these should have their passports confiscated. But not before sending them to a remote island. Twats.

It’s an embarrassment to Brits everywhere.