Economy `at sea'

In a variety of recent articles in the Chinese press, the term xiahai, or “moonlighting” has recurred. It describes the emerging phenomenon of workers -- usually skilled workers or intelligentsia -- who, often illegally, take on second jobs.

It might be working an evening shift at the Beijing McDonald's or working on Sundays as a consultant scientist for a state or privately run medical research enterprise. At a time when the costs of water, electricity, gas, rent, transport and medical fees are on the rise, xiahai is on the increase.

Few moonlighters, as yet, appear willing to cut themselves completely adrift from the benefits accruing to workers still formally belonging to state-run enterprises. But some, such as Bo Xicheng, can afford to leave their first jobs entirely. Bo Xicheng was head of the Beijing Tourist Administration. The son of senior party statesman Bo Yibo, Bo Xicheng has recently, together with a number of his former staffers, established a hotel management group.

Xiahai, literally, means “to put out to sea”. The term traditionally applied to amateur opera singers who decided to go professional. Alternatively, in that hotbed of capitalism, Hong Kong, the term implies “going into prostitution”. -- K.W.

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