It is with an amused and bizzard distance I watch the TV news of the frenzy after-Thanksgiving sales in US. The turkey day is pretty much a non-event here in Beijing. I arrived the office the usual time. Few meetings after, Sophia Zhang politely knocked on my door and walked me to TsingHua University campus. We talked about TsingHua's history, her time spent here earning her MBA, and, of course, the plans for her baby next March. It has been a long while since I got basked in an expectant mother's glow (and Beijing's brisk autumn). It was a nice walk.

The TsingHua event kicked off our Beijing campus recruiting. Jason Tong's slides were easy to talk to. The most interesting question: "How long does it take to become a distinguished engineer?" "Maybe forever," I replied and explained, roughly, what does it mean to be a DE here at Sun. I told the stories of few DEs whose ascension I am familiar with. The audience seem reasonably awed and entertained.

But, nope. There was no turkey, no ham, no big table filled with people drinking sparkling drinks. Most sadly, no pumpkin pie.

Friday, where most of my US frinds are either busy digesting or shopping. I went to the Capital Mansion to meet Senator George Allen. This is an event organized by our own Greg Shea, now head of USITO, a trade organization that represent the US IT industry here in China.

Seven US-based high-tech companies (Sun, IBM, Cisco, Google, Motorola, Oracle, and Microsoft) and a foundation were invited. Dr. Ye, head of IBM China Lab and myself were "technical" people. Motorola sent their operation manager. Other sent their lawyers. Microsoft was absent. Together with USITO and Sen. Allen's staff, there were about 15 poeple at the table. It was a cozy and intimate chat. Clearly, Sen. Allen wishes to hear about IP, standards, and whatever we have on our minds.

IP topic came first. Strangely, not many of those represented felt IPR, or its enforcement, critcally injure our businesses. Oracle believes most enterprise-software company do not suffer much from piracy. They may have difficulties collecting the right amount of licenses (customers paid less than their actual use). Funny, Sen. Allen advised Oracle to reconsider its pricing strategy.

IBM boasted its large number of patents originated here in China. Google claims its software is free and therefore suffered no piracy. Cisco mentioned the HuaWei case few years ago but does not seem to be concerned. I did not talk about Red October.

The standards round was more lively. The table made a strong case to Sen. Allen that forcing China to accept standards that do not benefit its own economy will backfire. The delay of 3G cell phone standards is an example. This jives quite nicely with Sun's stance and I gladly echoed with the group.

Before closing, I made a point thanking Sen. Allen's support for Sun's stock option expensing position. Taking the opportunity, I raised the issue of the archaic US export control laws. He agreed whole-hearted and ridiculed the laws that make the exportation of CPU difficult while every kids has a toy in his hand that rivals the performance of such chip. Computing power is very much a commodity, his point was, and it makes little sense to control its exportation. I am more than elated and received few pads on the shoulders from my IBM friend who added HP's and Intel's similar sentiment.

Senator wrapped up his 8-day trip around the world and headed home. Greg and few of us then moved into the bar for the networking part of the event. Sipping Chardonnay and watching the magnificant Beijing sunset from this tallest building in the city (50-story tall), we wish each other a belated happy Thanksgiving. I inquired, but this high-class Capital Club does not have pumpkin pie. Sigh...