It’s been an eventful month of crazy news in Beijing. Luckily, July is just around the corner and offers some great ways to give your brain cells a much needed break. 

1) CCTV Worker’s Nose Cut Off by Stranger

On June 9th around 13:00, a female worker at the CCTV headquarters was approached by an unknown man, and attacked with a knife. The attacker, thought to be a man from Liaoning province, took a knife that was concealed in newspapers, and cut off the woman’s nose. The man then fled the scene in a black car. He had been refused entry to the CCTV HQ compound earlier that morning, but had returned in the afternoon, looking for no one in particular. The woman, identified as Lin, 27, sat on the ground at the east gate of the compound, covered in blood, and called for help.

2) Peking University Graduate Strangles Boy to Death

A man who graduated with a law degree from Peking University appeared in Beijing City Intermediary Court on June 16th, for strangling an 11 year old schoolboy to death last November. The man, who has been identified as Lian Yong, from Changping District, is reported to have brought the boy, Le Le (pseudonym) back to his apartment, beaten him and strangled him with a rope, then extorted 150,000 RMB from the dead boy’s family. The prosecution have pressed for the death penalty, despite Lian Yong’s pleas in court to “thoroughly reform” and care for Le Le’s parents into old age.

3) PSB Detains Over 50 on Dodgy ‘Salon Street’ in Chaoyang

On June 22nd, a road off of Chaoyang Bei Lu which was home to many dubious ‘massage’ parlours and brothels masquerading as hairdressing salons, became the focus of combined PSB, Health Department and Government investigations. Police and other officials entered one of these shady ‘salons’ and found a half naked woman soliciting herself to an unnamed man, who tried to cover his face to avoid recognition. Upon closer inspection, many of these salons had fake cupboard doors, which hid real doors to rooms (used for prostitution) behind them. At least 34 female workers and 15 men were detained following the raids.

4) Gulou Signs Go Back in Time

Due to the upcoming 90th Anniversary of the Communist Party some altercations are being carried out on shop-front signs along Gulou Dongdajie. Apparently, many of Beijing’s advertising signs and billboards are “too brightly coloured,” according to an employee of the local administration office, and need to be toned down. “More cultural and calligraphic flavours will put the shops in line with the ancient streets,” said the employee, surnamed Du. It is thought that the shops affected will be those running along Gulou Dongdajie from the north exit of Nanluoguxiang, all the way to the Drum Tower in the west. Already over 80% of the street’s 200 plus shop-front signs have been changed, and shopkeepers worry that the changes will make their stores harder to locate on the bustling road.

5) Author Jonathan Wattts Speaks on China’s Environment

Jonathan Watts, author of “When a Billion Chinese Jump”, will be speaking at the Bookworm on July 7th at 19:30. Tickets are 80 RMB, but are sure to go fast. He’s traveled through mountains, deserts and coal dusted cities to bring you the cold hard facts about China’s current environmental degradation and innovation. So put your thinking caps on and head over to the Bookwork for what should be an enlightening evening.

6) Disney Live Comes to Beijing!

Grab your kids and let out your inner-child for a night of fun with Mickey, Donald and all your favourite Disney characters. The Disney Live show which features singing and dancing will run daily at 19:30 from July 13th to 17th at the Beijing Exhibition Center Theater. (Please not that the English version of the show is on July 15th). Tickets cost 80-580 RMB.

7) Ballet in Beijing

For the more culturally minded and lover of dance be sure not to miss when the Les Grand Ballets make their way to Beijing to hold performances on July 20th and 21st at the NCPA Opera House. On both days the show will begin at 19:30 and promises to be a sight to behold. Tickets cost 100-680 RMB.

8) Yen’s 7th Year Anniversary Party!!!

Come get your dance on at Yen’s 7th year anniversary party on July 23rd at 21:00. DJs Dia, Usami, Ou Yang, X Lee, Oshi, Helle, Ekki, Suki and more will help bring the 718 Factory of Beijing’s 798 Art District to life. Presale tickets are 80 RMB, 150 RMB at the door and 250 for VIP. 

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Keywords: Beijing murders news roundup Beijing Jonathan Watts Beijing Beijing July Events Ballet Beijing