On Interviewing in China

China is not a country where people are experienced with dealing with the media. This can make my life harder and more hilarious at the same time, as happened with an email response to an interview request I sent about Beijing's recent Silk Street counterfeiting lawsuit:

Dear thomas
thanks for your letter.
what you have talked about is really interesting,but i have to make sure the following questions:
1.the case you have pointed is the lawsuit of "the intellecture property dispute with beijing xiushui street" ?pls confirm
2.what is the detais about your magazine?do you publish it in electronic edition or papery edition or both of them?if you publish it in papery magazine,what is the amount of publishing per month or per week?
3.if i give you the comments about the case,what will i or my law firm get?
best regards
******
BEIJING *** LAW FIRM

The letter is illuminating about the fact that expectations for interviews have a long way to go in China, making talking to people and getting local opinions more difficult. It's surprising to think that anyone would think that they would get compensation for brief comments, even if it appears in "papery edition."

I believe it's important to represent local opinions, and not just those of China-watchers and foreigners living in China--but doing so does mean extra work and occasionally giving a short course on Media 101.