Hi friends and supporters of that’s Beijing magazine:

It's official – our company, the producer of "that's Beijing" magazine since its debut issue in October 2001 right through the June 2008 issue, will now no longer be involved with the brand "that's".

Our publisher, who controls the official publishing license of "that's," has abruptly ended our long-term cooperation mid-negotiation and behind our back hired someone else to produce "that's Beijing" magazine from now on.

Our company, however, will be soldiering on with a magazine you'll find to be quite similar to that's Beijing -- a magazine to be called "the Beijinger" which will make its debut with the July 2008 issue.

It features the same layout, the same content, the same distribution, and most importantly, the same team that has brought you that's Beijing since we created its debut issue in October 2001.

Directory Chen Weijun discusses his documentary about primary
school class elections

Last month’s fifth annual Chinese Documentary Exchange Week (中国纪录片交流周) was held at the Songzhuang Art Center from May 25-31 and featured screenings of recent documentaries including Crime and Publishment, directed by Zhao Liang, Ghost Town, directed by Zhao Dayong, He Jia’s The Land, My Last Secret directed by Li Xiaofeng, and Li Yifan’s The Longwang Chronicles.

Director Chen Weijun, famous for his documentary about AIDS patients To Live Is Better Than To Die, was invited to discuss his experience filming the documentary Please Vote For Me, which won the 2007 New Zealand DOCNZ Award ceremony and was short-listed for the 2008 Foreign Documentary Award at the Oscars.

Set in a primary school in Wuhan, the story centers on a trio of third graders who have been chosen by their teacher to run for class monitor (ban zhang) and must give a series of performances and speeches to prove they are the most qualified. From the children's secret talks, to the parents' assistance and the candidates' public performances, Chen Weijun documented the entire process, including many details unknown to the parents and the teacher.

Please Vote for Me presents the real and surprising world of Chinese children at school – their involvement and understanding of the election process, their primitive emotions of honor and disgrace, their relationships with teacher and parents, and how their own behavior is influenced by society. A complete version with English subtitles can now be viewed on youku.com here.

The following Q and A is a more complete version of our interview with him that originally appeared in the April 2008 issue of tbjkids.

The tbjkids June/July special double issue is out! And just in time for the summer travel season. If you haven’t made plans already, check out our list of 25 must-see places for families to visit in China. But don’t take our word for it – Beijingers share useful pointers, and their family photos too! Featuring cosmopolitan cities, desert expanses, ancient capitals, tranquil temples, sandy beaches and mountain landscapes in just about every corner of China, you’ll be sure to find the perfect vacation destination to suit your family.

For those planning to embark on that long flight home, this month’s Spotlight column will give you some invaluable tips about lasting the plane ride with young ones. And before you leave, check out this month’s Kid Craft on how to make your own memory game – a sure way to keep the kids occupied so parents can squeeze in a nap.

Avast, me mateys! tbjkids is calling all little pirates and salty treasure seekers for lunch and a park-wide treasure hunt at Ritan Park. If it's a pirate's life for you, then come eat, enjoy the sunshine, and play games to win gifts and other exciting prizes. Don't worry, we won't make you walk the plank! The fun takes place on Saturday, April 19. 11.30am-2.30pm. For families with kids ages 3-10, RMB 70 per person. Tickets are required and space is limited to the first 100 children that sign up before Wednesday, April 16. For more information, click here, contact Nancy Ding at 5820 7700 ext 853 or e-mail marketing@tbjkids.com.

It's amazing to think, but tbjkids is a year old! From humble beginnings, they've grown, matured and expanded to become the unstoppable family magazine that they are today. They couldn't have done it without a lot of help and this weekend they've invited readers to come and join them at American Steak and Eggs for a celebration. Unfortunately, registration for the event has already closed.

For those who missed out on the event, you can still grab a copy of the March issue of tbjkids and meet some of Beijing's exceptionally bright kids, learn about China's historic examination system, and begin preparing your kids for college. Also, get outdoors and soak up the sunshine while learning about aerodynamics with model airplanes, spend an organic afternoon in the green and pleasant groves of Agrilandia, or discover the hidden gems in Panjiayuan – one of Beijing's oldest antique markets.

Get it while it’s hot! tbjkids is proud to present the January/February double issue special! Featuring 101 Family-friendly Restaurants in Beijing, each one selected by tbjkids for their food, family-friendly facilities and atmosphere, this guide is your way to finding the best dining experience with your family around town. Tired of chicken nuggets and gongbao jiding? tbjkids to the rescue! Pick up your copy of this indispensable guide today and liberate your taste buds!