Sep 19
Let’s Talk some Cross-Strait Politics
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, General, Letters, media, News, politics | Tags:cross-straight politics, Mainland, taiwan
148 Comments » newest
148 Comments » newest
It’s been almost four months since Ma Ying-jeou has been sworn into office in Taiwan. After the first few weeks of euphoria, there hasn’t been that much published about Taiwan in English sources – partly because of the Olympics, and partly because not much concrete has happened. Continue reading »
Sep 15
The Next U.S. Administration and the Future of US-China Relationship
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, Letters, News, politics | Tags:mccain, obama, rise of china, u.s.-china relationship, US election
63 Comments » newest
63 Comments » newest
Several bloggers here have asked that we start a discussion regarding which of the U.S. presidential candidates might be better for China – or at least, better for a solid U.S.-China relationship. Continue reading »
Sep 14
minipost-Can democracy be the solution to Malaysia’s ethnic problems?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, Analysis, News, politics | Tags:Chinese, democracy, ethnic problems, human rights, malaysia
35 Comments » newest
35 Comments » newest
In a previous discussion on Malaysia’s ethnic politics, I was surprised (and dismayed) to sense the depth of dejection some ethnic Chinese in Malaysia may feel toward the political situation in Malaysia. There however may be hope. Continue reading »
Sep 11
minipost-Malaysia’s Ethnic Politics
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, Analysis, aside, media, News, politics | Tags:ethnic politics, featured, malaysia, plight of chinese minorities
172 Comments » newest
172 Comments » newest
Malaysia over the years has been known for its share of ethnic violence against Chinese and other minorities. Most recently, Ahmad Ismail, a district chief in the United Malays National Organization ruling party, has been quoted to pronounce: Continue reading »
Sep 10
Netizens vote for sparrow as China’s national bird
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:Analysis, culture, Environment, News | Tags:endangered species, national bird, national character, sparrow
36 Comments » newest
36 Comments » newest
America has the Bald Eagle, a powerful symbol of might, individuality, and freedom — even if Benjamin Franklin thought it was a bird of “bad moral character” inferior to the Wild Turkey.
What does China have as a national bird? Well, it doesn’t yet.
The house sparrow, so common in China, and named one of the four vermin during the 1950’s (and killed en masse), has received a plurality of votes among ten birds in an unofficial online poll for China’s national bird. This has stirred up a conversation online about what constitutes a national bird, and more interestingly, about the national character and outlook of the common Chinese people.
Continue reading »
Sep 09
Thailand’s political turmoil
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, culture, education, News, politics | Tags:class warfare, democracy, Prime Minister Samak, public education, rule of law, Sondhi Limthongkul, thailand, the role of military
27 Comments » newest
27 Comments » newest
The recent political turmoils have received relatively scant coverage in the Western Press. Nevertheless, many of us here at Foolsmountain think the events in Thailand are important and interesting because they touch upon so many interesting issues – including the rule of law, democracy, class warfare, public education, and the role of military – all of which are also pertinent to China. Continue reading »
Sep 06
minipost-Does a free marketplace of ideas really work?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, Analysis, language, politics | Tags:freedom of speech, human perception, intuition, psychology
43 Comments » newest
43 Comments » newest
In a recent comment, one of our bloggers wrote, Continue reading »
Sep 05
minipost-Pocketbook References for Tibet
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, Analysis, culture, Letters, politics, religion | Tags:China, featured, tibet
187 Comments » newest
187 Comments » newest
Two of the most commented threads over the last week relate to Tibet. Even a neutral posting on the administration of the website has also somehow “devolved” into a debate over Tibet.
Sep 04
(Letter) Ideas about Democracy
Written by: guest | Filed under:-guest-posts, q&a | Tags:democracy
6 Comments » newest
6 Comments » newest
Hi all,
I am writing from Germany with a question!
I would like to know more about how chinese people see democracy and what they think about it.
I am particularly interested in the difference that might excist between official statements about democracy ( opinion, possible implementation)and private views in the blogger community. I am happy with personal answers, weblinks, whatever gives me a glimpse on how democracy is percieved.
To give you a little information about myself:
I am a student of psychology who ist very much interested in poiltical psychology.
Personally I think democracy is a great thought as it endorses egalitarianism between all people and I firmly believe, that all people are equal. But the way western civilization has adapted democracy to the needs of a neoliberal economy is as egalitarian as monarchies in my view. I see a great chance to learn from nations like china or socialist countries in south america, to learn from each others experience, ideas, and mistakes through discussion about the past and future of democracy, economy and our societies.
thank you for your interest,
Marco
Sep 01
(Letter) Tibet: A Way Forward?
Written by: Otto Kerner | Filed under:Analysis, Letters | Tags:CCP, dalai lama, featured, tibet
323 Comments » newest
323 Comments » newest
In the comments to an earlier post related to Tibet, I found it striking that, although by different routes, bianxiangbianqiao and wuming and I have reached roughly the same conclusion, viz that there’s no logical reason why Tibet should remain part of China, but, at the same time, it is completely impossible for China to let it become independent, since that would invariably be seen as China giving up 19% of its land area (or even 13%, which is what the TAR is). Particularly so since, as bxbq points out, the boundaries of “Tibet” are quite fuzzy. I could draw a border that I think would be a fair delimitation of “where Tibetans traditionally predominated and still do”, but obviously there would be a lot of people who would disagree with any given attempt. Continue reading »
Aug 28
Tony Blair’s New Op Ed on China in the Wall Street Journal
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, News, politics | Tags:China, geopolitics, human rights, olympics, tony blair
59 Comments » newest
59 Comments » newest
I thought I’d bring to people’s attention to a recent Op Ed from Tony Blair in the Wall Street Journal on the Rise of China and the Olympics. I think the piece is interesting as a genuine attempt by a Western Leader (or at least a former Western leader) to understand – in good faith – the Rise of China and the Olympics. Continue reading »
Aug 24
Beijing Olympics a learning experience for all involved
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:Analysis, Environment, media | Tags:olympics
34 Comments » newest
34 Comments » newest
It is said that the Beijing Olympics was a big draw, perhaps proving the adage that no publicity is bad publicity. Did the worldwide protests before the Olympics ironically serve as a big advertisement for the Beijing Olympics? And now that a record number of people have watched the Olympics, what have they learned about China?
Continue reading »
Continue reading »
Aug 23
Falsifying Documentation and Its Impact on International Public Opinion: “Underage Chinese Gymnasts” and “Bogus Americans”.
Written by: bianxiangbianqiao | Filed under:Analysis | Tags:He Kexin, olympics, underage gymnasts
87 Comments » newest
87 Comments » newest
ChinaWatcher’s response to my last post has struck me as particularly thoughtful and reasonable. However, I have a different view on the following statement and feel the issue is important enough to write a separate post, to ensure sufficient attention. My writing is 99.9% dead serious and 0.1% over the top satire. The Olympics have been criticized for being uptight and lacking in fun. We need to make it up for Beijing. Continue reading »
Aug 23
(Letter) Lots of us want to love and respect China, but right now China isn’t helping
Written by: Joel | Filed under:Analysis, culture | Tags:cultural differences, face, olympics, protest zones, West
82 Comments » newest
82 Comments » newest
This will probably make some people angry, or at least get people’s emotions fired up. But that’s not what I’m trying to do. This is a totally honest Western perspective from a Westerner who is usually very positive toward China (we are learning Chinese in China and want our kids to grow up here). I’m writing this hoping we can have a real conversation and understand one another better.
Continue reading »
Continue reading »
Aug 22
What you can do to verify He Kexin’s age: On subjectivity and procedural justice.
Written by: bianxiangbianqiao | Filed under:Analysis | Tags:Chinese gymnasts, He Kexin, olympics
137 Comments » newest
137 Comments » newest
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has found no proof that Chinese Gymnast He Kexin was underage. The issue was raised by the US gymnastic team based on their visual inspection; “they don’t look like 16, but a lot younger”. How much credit should be given to the subjective impression of the American competitors who have lost to Kexin and her teammates? Moreover, what can you do with your subjective impressions? Continue reading »
Aug 22
(Guest Post) Communism causes Olympics fatigue?
Written by: admin | Filed under:Analysis | Tags:communism, olympics
14 Comments » newest
14 Comments » newest
Note: This was written by Michael at World-China Bridges, cross-posted here.
I thought there is a new democracy fatigue, but Gordon Chang, author of “The Coming Collapse of China,” quoting what he called “a well-known fund manager in Beijing,” thought “there is now an Olympics fatigue.”He wrote at the Far Eastern Economic Review: Continue reading »
Aug 21
Has He Kexin’s age been changed to older or younger?
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:Analysis, culture, News | Tags:age fixing, featured, gymnastics, He Kexin, olympics
231 Comments » newest
231 Comments » newest
Even though Buxi isn’t back, why don’t we return to a fine tradition of this blog? This post from Niubo (牛博), a Chinese forum often filled with discontent with how things are, has something interesting to add about the age of Olympic gymnast He Kexin. Translation below:
On the question of the Chinese gymnast He Kexin’s age, one fact is certain, that is, there is an inconsistency between the local athletic bureau and the central athletic bureau. So, is it that:
1. The local athletic bureau is correct, and the central athletic bureau changed her age to older?
OR
2. The local athletic bureau falsified, and changed her age to younger?
Aug 17
(Letter) The religious politics of reincarnation
Written by: Otto Kerner | Filed under:Analysis, culture | Tags:dalai lama, Panchen Lama, tibet
80 Comments » newest
80 Comments » newest
Some of the comments to a recent post show what I believe are misconceptions about the religious politics of the Dalai Lama’s putative reincarnations. One commenter writes:
Since the next reincarnation of Dalai Lama supposed to be “discovered” by the current Penchan Lama, how can a democratically reincarnated Dalai Lama have any religious legitimacy?
Aug 14
minipost-(Letter) Are the Protest Parks Being Used?
Written by: MutantJedi | Filed under:-mini-posts, Analysis | Tags:olympics, Parks, Protesters
90 Comments » newest
90 Comments » newest
From the BBC, Protests still unwelcome in Beijing: Continue reading »
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