(If you are inside China, your may want the same version hosted on Tudou). This is 张燕 (Zhang Yan) performing "夜来香," a modern Chinese classic. I can't quite put my finger on why I think this video is really good - perhaps the confidence projected by 张燕. In English, "夜来香" means "evening primrose," a flower that opens in the evening. The Chinese characters literally mean … [Read more...] about “夜来香” (“Evening Primrose”), a scent of modern Chinese history
Archives for August 2010
China explains why she is not that excited surpassing Japan as world’s number 2 economy
The latest buzz is the expected overtaking of Japan by China as the world's number two economy some time in 2010. I'll ignore the more polarizing perspectives from the likes of CNN and the NYT. Here are some decent takes on this "news": Bloomberg, BBC (video), and Japan Today). (I have recently subscribed to the power of "multi-sourcing," thanks to Newsy. See my previous … [Read more...] about China explains why she is not that excited surpassing Japan as world’s number 2 economy
在那遥远的地方 (In That Distant Place), a Pipa, Erhu, and Dizi trio
在那遥远的地方 (In That Distant Place) is a very popular folk song written in 1939. Over the years, this song has taken on many forms. Chinese, old or young, all know it. Below is a composition by 马九越 using the pipa, dizi, and erhu instruments. Occasionally I get asked what are some Chinese values. This is an example, I think. My grandparents, my parents, and people of my … [Read more...] about 在那遥远的地方 (In That Distant Place), a Pipa, Erhu, and Dizi trio
Newsy.com, breaking the mold of Western media bias?
Media is a tricky business. Regular readers here know that Western media bias is a frequent topic on this blog. Few days ago, Rosa Sow, a community manager at Newsy.com, contacted me to embed an video from her company on my post, "China Daily reports, “Japan apologizes for annexation of Korean Peninsula”." I refused. I was angry at the Western media, and I didn't think it … [Read more...] about Newsy.com, breaking the mold of Western media bias?
South China Sea: Let’s get it straight, it’s not new Chinese aggression, it’s new US policy.
What's with the recent hoopla surrounding an ASEAN summit where US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton seemed to outline a new US policy in the South China Sea and China angrily denouncing her speech as an "ambush"? Well, it is just that, a new US policy for the South China Sea, one where US asserts its "interests" in the disputed island territories. Washington Hawks … [Read more...] about South China Sea: Let’s get it straight, it’s not new Chinese aggression, it’s new US policy.