By the usual gang of 818ers

With more than 80 people dressed as Santa Claus converging in Tiananmen Square from Haidian and Shuangjing as part of a daylong pub-crawl, Beijing felt the full force of Santacon. The China Daily reports that all Santas observed a Santacon rule "requir-ing the Kris Kringles not to get too drunk," but 888 tells us first hand that (1) there is no such rule and (2) Santa got very drunk. Gaga Santa, head of the East Side Santas, was dreaming of sugarplums on the coach to Fubar, and Tiny Tim, leader of the West Side Santas, was last seen leading a group of wayward Kris Kringles on the subway bound for Gulou.

The security at Tiananmen asked Santa if he had any "commercial purpose," (no) and how the Santas knew each other (friends of friends). Judging by the singalong at Paddy O'Sheas, Santa's favorite Christmas carols are not about making naughty and nice lists or reindeer, but Wham's "Last Christmas" and the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York". The Santas thinned out to about 20 by the time they hit White Rabbit. 888 did see a number of cute girls there and table of Chinese patrons with a fruit plate and a bottle of Chivas playing dice. Seems the Rabbit is making its transition to Sanlitun with style.

8Ge also hears a Chinese radio station with an international reach has a list of words in Chinese in two columns. The first list is no-no words, on subjects too sensitive to name here, while the second list has danger words, such as "homosexuality", that can be used "with care".

8Ge hears rumors that a major hotel chain in Beijing has been faring poorly this year because of corporate espionage – a mole to be exact.

8Ge was amused and disgusted after reading an account on The Beijinger by Victor Muh describing a visit to the Pavilion that did not end well. The staff at the Pavilion told the Global Times there was no manager or owner present to comment, and they had no contact information. They would not take a message. An email was not responded to. We called back when the staff suggested the manager would be in – still no dice. Victor says he has been seeking the owners.

Queen8 hears local gay activists are concerned the recent porn crackdown is affecting gay chat rooms.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of China says that "correspondents working for Swiss television were harassed by local officials in Yunnan for several days, despite having official invitations and permission to film."

Xiao8, the youngest member of our team, tells us there is no such thing as Santa. But what the hell would that elfin-looking-mofo know about it?

Send tips to beijing818@globaltimes. com.cn