Lost in translation: CES Asia visitors in Shanghai frustrated by language snags, internet blocks

While the inaugural Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Asia went off largely without a hitch in Shanghai this week, some voiced complaints about the dearth of real news being announced at the event, as well as the frustrations of dealing with Chinese internet restrictions.

The Shanghai event is the first time CES, held annually in Las Vegas since 1967, has taken place outside of the US.

"We expect this event to grow and rival the event in Vegas," Gary Shapiro, president and chief executive of show organiser the Consumer Electronics Association, told attendees on Monday. However, some gaffes and oversights took place that presumably would not occur at the more established American event.

During Kirk Skaugen of Intel's keynote address, a Haier executive came on stage to announce the two company's new partnership for wireless charging devices. Wang Ye spoke only in Chinese, with Chinese-language slides. No translation or explanation was given for non-Chinese speakers, leaving many foreign business executives and reporters looking bewildered and frustrated.

Another keynote was listed as being presented in English, but was in fact entirely in Chinese, a fact that did not become fully apparent until IBM's DC Chien was several minutes into his presentation, sending attendees running to the back of the room to collect translation headsets.

This wasn't the only time the event seemed to forget its international attendees. Copies of CEA chief economist Shawn DuBravac's book Digital Destiny were handed out to guests, but it was available only in Chinese.