August 4, 2011
Ni Hao Compulsory Internet IDs.
Innovations at Beijing airport (Terminal 2)
1. To get a log-in and password for Wi-Fi, you need to put your passport (or Chinese ID if you have one) into a special machine, which scans the main page, determines the full name of the owner and document number, and then prints out a user name and password. Looks like a forerunner to compulsory Internet IDs.
Here is a photo of the Wi-Fi vending machine
And here is your Wi-Fi permission. Fully authorized.
2. No Smoking. All the smoking rooms have been closed. A blessing to all those still trying to quit.
3. Cigarette Lighter Ban.
It would appear that Chinese lighters [used to be] of such poor quality that they exploded in mid-air from the drop in pressure. Gibberish, of course, but how else can one explain that in Beijing airport they’ve set up the x-ray scanners to detect cig lighters, which angrily screech if one is found in baggage. And not just in hand luggage – also in baggage to be checked in! Then the officials make you open up everything and destroy said offending items.
