Th National Geographic documentary, “China’s Lost Girls” is a few years old now, but it still explains the consequences of China’s one-child policy very well. Host, Lisa Ling, examines the policy which was implemented about two decades ago to curb China’s growing population. Sons are preferred in China due to social, economic, social and traditional factors. This results in an enormous amount of girls growing up in orphanages across the country.

Chinese adoptions to Americans were approved in 1991, and today more than one quarter of all children adopted from abroad by American families come from China. Virtually all of these children are girls.

Ling travels with some American families as they travel to China to meet their new daughters for the very first time. While capturing the emotional journey, she also documents China’s growing gender gap, its roots and the repercussions it might face in the near future. Ling also learns of the less obvious consequences of China’s population changes. It is predicted that in several decades, China will have tens of millions of young men at marrying age with no women to marry. What will become of an entire generation of bachelors? And what does the future hold for China’s girls?

If you enjoy the preview, you can view the documentary in its entirety at SnagFilms.com.

Exciting news in AJ Panda‘s hometown of St. Louis, MO today! The Missouri Botanical Garden, which already throws a fabulous Chinese Culture Days event each summer is planning on hosting America’s first large-scale Chinese lantern festival next summer. The event titled “Lantern Festival: Art by Day, Magic by Night” will feature 26 large-scale glowing sculptures of undulating dragons, lotus flowers, cherry blossoms and a three-story replica of the 15th century Beijing Heavenly Temple.

It will take approximately 40 professionals from Zigong, China’s lantern headquarters, to create the sculptures on-site using metal, silk, and lots and lots of light bulbs. The sculptures will even be motorized to give the illusion of dragons fighting and opera singers dancing!

It sounds like it’s going to be quite a production. Since the event isn’t until 2012, you have plenty of time to start planning your trip! If you would like to read the entire article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, you can find it here.

AJ Panda is pleased to announce we now offer Hope Heart jewelry designs! The Hope Heart necklace symbolizes the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang and that there are two complementary forces that exist in nature.

The design was created by Lauren Rose Weinkrantz for her mother, Barbara Permilla Roth. The message of hope conveys the love and peace that they wanted to share with the world. Give this necklace as a gift to symbolize the love and hope you feel for that important person in your life or keep it for yourself as a daily reminder.

Men are hard to shop for! But don’t worry, we’re here to help pick out the perfect Father’s Day Gift. Spend the day with Dad putting together a 3D puzzle or a competitive game of Mahjong, Chinese Checkers or Mandarin Chess. We’ve also got apparel for the stylish Dad or many desk accessories for the professional Dad. Check out our Father’s Day Gift Guide for ideas for every Dad! Father’s Day is coming up fast and falls on June 19th this year!

The annual Chinese Culture Days at Missouri Botanical Gardens is always such a fun event that I had to post a few pictures from this year’s celebration this past weekend. Festivities included Chinese calligraphy, tea tasting, painting, authentic regional cuisine, and a Grand Parade with a 70-foot dancing dragon! If you are ever around St. Louis the weekend of this event, we high recommend attending!

If you happen to be in AJ Panda’s hometown of St. Louis this weekend, we highly recommend you check out the Chinese Culture Days 2011 at the Missouri Botanical Garden. One of the MO Botanical Garden’s most popular annual events, Chinese Culture Days is a two-day festival featuring cooking demonstrations, folk dancing and fashion shows. Make sure you catch the Grand Parade each day complete with acrobats, martial artists and dragon dancers. The New Shanghai Circus will also be performing. For a detailed schedule of the weekends events and activities, visit the Missouri Botanical Garden website.

It’s been a busy few months between Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chinese New Year. Schedules are finally starting to calm down from all the festivities but don’t let the post-holiday blues bring you down with them! Nothing cheers me up like saving money and that’s why AJ Panda’s Winter Clearance Sale is going on now! You can save up to 50% off Chineselanterns, jewelry, Chinese New Year cards and crafts, and much more. Or spruce up your home decor with new Chinese cushion covers or brocade picture frames. Happy shopping!