Dec 11
The Xintai Mental Institute Scandal
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, General, News, politics | Tags:corruption, freedom of speech, xintai mental institute scandal
30 Comments » newest
30 Comments » newest
A couple of days ago, the Beijing News reported how local officials in Xintai – a city in the eastern province of Shandong – locked up citizens in mental hospitals to prevent them from making journeys to Beijing to alert central government officials of local injustices going on in Xintai (see original story – and english version translated by Global Voices). Continue reading »
Dec 09
Translation: I am sorry, but I am not boycotting French goods
Written by: DJ | Filed under:General | Tags:boycott, France, Opinion, translation
70 Comments » newest
70 Comments » newest
Note: This is a translation of an essay published in the Chinese Youth On-Line (中青在线). This translation is meant to bring to readers’ attention some of the diverse opinions publicly expressed in today’s China. I came across it because it was highlighted as the number one piece in Sina’s (新浪) opinion section.
[UPDATE]: ESWN also has a translation of this article and some more. Interestingly, the version translated at ESWN is from the author (廖保平) Liao Baoping’s blog directly. It is somewhat different than the one I found and contains some more colorful words. In particular, the Chinese Youth On-Line version misses one paragraph at the very end which sets the tone rather differently.
Xinhua reported the news of Sarkozy’s meeting with Dalai Lama in this way: “The French President Sarkozy, despite patient and repeated efforts [by the Chinese side], went ahead to meet with Dalai Lama on 6th. This was an unwise move that seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and damaged the Sino-Franco relationship. The Chinese people’s reaction is evident in the form of angry calls on the Internet for boycotting French goods to defend our national dignity.”
I understand some of the emotions expressed online in China. And I wonder if this is going to result in pretests in the streets. But for me personally, I won’t boycott French goods.
Continue reading »
Dec 07
The Partnership between Africa and China – a Force for Good or Evil?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, General, media, politics, video | Tags:africa, China, globalism, human rights, neo-colonialism
41 Comments » newest
41 Comments » newest
We’ve had impassioned discussions about Tibet this year. But the controversies surrounding China has not just been about Tibet – they have also been about Africa.
In anticipation of a series of posts on Africa, I thought I would put a few feelers out to see if people on this forum would be interested in discussing the topic, and if so, where people initially stand.
Nov 22
Disgruntled political essayist sentenced to three years of international fame
Written by: DJ | Filed under:General, News | Tags:censorship, media, tibet
136 Comments » newest
136 Comments » newest
Chen Daojun (陈道军), a relatively obscure activist (or provocateur depending on one’s point of view) in China, was sentenced to three years in prison for “inciting subversion of state authority” (煽动颠覆国家政权罪) yesterday. Thus the Chinese government, quite rightfully described as clumsy and self-defeating in presenting itself, just launched someone into a career of fame and awards. Who wants to bet on the recipient of next year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought?
Nov 17
Update: Exiled Tibetans from Around the World Meet in Dharamsala for Six Days
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Announcements, General, News | Tags:tibetan conference
141 Comments » newest
141 Comments » newest
Exiled Tibetans from around the world are gathering in Dharamsala for their largest political conference in nearly 60 years. The Dalai Lama has called for the six-day meeting, which begins Monday, after failing to make progress in negotiations with China. The Tibetan spiritual leader has promised to let everything be on the table and not to make any major pronouncements during the conference Continue reading »
Nov 16
Time for a More Equal Economic Partnership Between the U.S. and China?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, General, News, politics, technology | Tags:chinese economy, global economy, u.s. economy, u.s.-china bilateral relations
8 Comments » newest
8 Comments » newest
Since China opened to the world some 30 years ago, China has witnessed unprecedented economic development and growth. However, the economic relationship China has with the West has been a decidedly subservient one.
In the global economy, China would specialize in making high volume, low cost products in return for high value technology and services from the West. The profit that China makes would be recycled back to the West (especially the U.S.) in the form of loans / credits. Despite the recent global financial crisis, I do not expect this basic pattern to change any time soon.
However, the time for some change may be afoot. For one thing, many economists in the West now seem to be more willing to acknowledge that the Chinese economic growth may be sustainable for the long term. Even the Economist has been showing more confidence and optimism for China as of late. Continue reading »
Nov 14
Tibet: Turning over a new page
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, General, politics, religion | Tags:featured, future of tibet
442 Comments » newest
442 Comments » newest
I’ve been resisting writing anything on Tibet recently because I think we’ve had more than our shares. But I think the time may be right on this board for one small, limited discussion. Continue reading »
Nov 13
minipost-Quiet Reflection of the Sichuan Wen Chuan Earthquake
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, aside, culture, General, News | Tags:sichuan earthquake commemoration
7 Comments » newest
7 Comments » newest
When historians look back to 2008, they may well consider China’s response to the 8+ magnitude Wen Chuan Earthquake as a key defining milestone in China’s long road to modernization. Continue reading »
Nov 08
Chinese culture has undergone tremendous change in the last 20 years. We tend to notice the big events: Massive new skyscrapers, world class airports, new symphony halls, the Olympic Games, 5 star hotels and restaurants, etc. But what we might not see is that below the surface, there are other changes taking place.
China has developed an exciting indie music scene throughout the country. Though strongest in Beijing, excellent bands have appeared in Shanghai, Guangzhou and other parts of the country. Though there is a huge pop music industry with many very popular singers, these are acts that are less known but have developed a core following among the young. I’d like to introduce you to a few bands and hear about others you know that you can share with us. Follow the links to their myspace sites and the songs will usually play automatically. For the Neocha site which is in China, you need to click on the “play” button. I’ve included descriptions of each band either from the web or from my own knowledge. Continue reading »
Nov 04
How Can China Learn from India?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:culture, General, News, politics, religion | Tags:democracy, human rights, peaceful and harmonious society
53 Comments » newest
53 Comments » newest
Recently we have had several good, vigorous debates on the proper role of human rights in the International Order – including in China in particular. In a recent thread, I even got to argue in the comments that the Chinese government is right to focus on issues of general human welfare (as embodied by its calls for a “peaceful and harmonious” society) rather than ideologies such as “human rights” (as embodied by Western calls for democracy and freedom of speech). Continue reading »
Oct 30
minipost-Obamania Seems to be Sweeping through China, too!
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, culture, General, religion | Tags:u.s. presidential politics
38 Comments » newest
38 Comments » newest
As the U.S. Presidential Campaign reaches a climatic end, it is interesting to see that many Chinese, like others throughout the world, seem to have rushed aboard the Obama wagon. While pondering these observations, I ran across an interesting article on Asia Times titled “China falls for Obama’s ‘US dream'”. Here are some excerpts. Continue reading »
Oct 24
minipost-(Letter) Michael Spence, Nobel Laureate 2001 in Economics, on China’s Economic Management
Written by: guest | Filed under:-mini-posts, General, media | Tags:financial crisis, media
9 Comments » newest
9 Comments » newest
In a Q & A with Michael Spence, Nobel Laureate in Economics 2001, on the U.S. economic crisis on Squawk Box at CNBC, Spence makes some notable comments on China’s management of its economy and its responsible actions on the global economic stage. Continue reading »
Oct 17
Wang Yung-Ching (王永慶) – One of Taiwan’s Proud Sons – Passes Away…
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Announcements, culture, General, News | Tags:mainland investment, taiwan business visionary
18 Comments » newest
18 Comments » newest
Wang Yung-Ching
Wang Yung-Ching, founder of Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Group, has passed away at the age of 91 while on a business trip to the United States. Wang died unexpectedly in his sleep at his daughter’s home in New Jersey.
Known affectionately as the “Midas of Management” in Taiwan, Wang started his business by selling rice in 1932. From that humble beginning, Wang would become the richest man in Taiwan with a personal fortune (last year) of U.S. $6.8 billion. Wang’s rags-to-rich’s story, coupled with his frugal, unassuming, hardworking lifestyle, makes him one of the most inspirational figures in Taiwan in a generation.
Wang began building his business conglomerate in the early 1950s – when the Japanese had just left the island. His conglomerate would help to transform Taiwan’s biotechnology, petrochemical processing and electronic components production industries into leaders of the world. Continue reading »
Oct 16
Blue Sky in Beijing
Written by: wuming | Filed under:General | Tags:Beijing, Blue Sky, New Architeture
25 Comments » newest
25 Comments » newest
Last time I was in Beijing was two and half year ago. Beijing now is once again a very different city, the investment must have far exceeded $40 Billion.
The most impressive is the frequent return of blue sky in Fall Beijing, here is the evidence:
Oct 15
Oh ~ Black Blind Island, Welcome Home
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:General, News | Tags:bolshoi ussuriyskiy, border dispute, hexiazi island, Russia
24 Comments » newest
24 Comments » newest
On October 14, half of Heixiazi Island (lit. black blind island) was transferred from Russia to China, completing the last piece of the border settlement pact signed by the two countries in the mid-1990’s. Back in the day, Jiang Zemin took a lot of heat for signing this, because it was felt by some that China had lost a claim on the much larger Sixty-Four Villages area of Qing-era Outer Manchuria.
Continue reading »
Continue reading »
Oct 14
Are Chinese racist or simply politically incorrect?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:Analysis, culture, General, language, politics | Tags:Chinese culture, featured, human bias, political ideology, racism
391 Comments » newest
391 Comments » newest
It’s common knowledge that when it comes to racial remarks, Chinese people (and perhaps Asians in general) are not the most politically correct people in the world. We’ve had extended discussions about “racism” in China (see, e.g., Chocolate City post by Buxi). Recently, I came across an interesting article in Times Magazine (in relation to the U.S. Presidential politics) regarding racism in Asia. Unfortunately, I believe the author falls into many pitfalls that many Westerners make when it comes to Asian racism. Continue reading »
Oct 02
A fool’s reflection
Written by: admin | Filed under:Announcements, General | Tags:experience, featured, history, perspective
216 Comments » newest
216 Comments » newest
Our blog has been around for 5 months. Judging from our site traffic and the comments we get (over 12,600 and counting, plenty of them insightful), we are doing quite well.
However, some readers’ comments paint a very different picture. Continue reading »
Oct 02
minipost-Beijing’s New Air Pollution Control Measures
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, aside, culture, Environment, General, News, politics | Tags:beijing air, environment, pollution
13 Comments » newest
13 Comments » newest
Whatever your views on the proper role of government in societal, cultural, and economic affairs, few would argue against the government’s role (if not duty) in helping to confront the myriad environmental problems facing modern industrialized societies. Continue reading »
Oct 01
The Value of Being a Chinese on the 59th Anniversary of the PRC
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:General | Tags:translation
28 Comments » newest
28 Comments » newest
Today, on National Day, some 190 thousand passers-by, strangers to each other, packed the festively decked-out Tian’anmen Square to watch the Flag Raising Ceremony.
Although 2008 doesn’t make a “round number” anniversary, so much has transpired in this troubled year to make it almost seem like one. On this day, we translate for you the following editorial published in the Beijing News (新京报), titled Today, let us remember the value of being a “Chinese”:
Continue reading »
Sep 27
First Images of Spacewalk!
Written by: Nimrod | Filed under:General |
30 Comments » newest
Zhai Zhigang enters space
Sep 23
minipost-Cross-strait “Trash Talk”: which side has the better cuisine?
Written by: Allen | Filed under:-mini-posts, aside, culture, General | Tags:chinese cusine, chinese food, Mainland, taiwan
32 Comments » newest
32 Comments » newest
With all the arguments generated by our discussion on cross-strait politics, we need to start a topic that both sides can agree on. One thing I think we can all agree is that Chinese Cuisine is an important aspect of Chinese Culture. The only question is: which side of the strait has the better cuisine? 😉 Continue reading »
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