Apparently, James Fallows' latest book, "China Airborn" has argued the reason the Internet in China is 'slow' is due to censorship. Due to censorship, Fallows argued, China would never be innovative enough and hence won't be able to produce her own companies like Apple. In this article, he capitulates to his readers who contend that the Internet within China is actually fast. … [Read more...] about James Fallows’ “China Airborn” completely misses the point on “China intranet”
Archives for May 2012
Let’s Talk About Tiananmen Square, 1989
(Propaganda in the Western press had a lasting impact on China. For the Tiananmen Protest of 1989, the "reform and opening up" policies under Deng back-stepped when Western governments decided to scale back loans and FDI into China on the grounds the Chinese government were 'butchers.' The 'butcher' and 'massacre' narratives were concocted by the Western press to demonize the … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk About Tiananmen Square, 1989
RMB-Yen currency swap starts June 2012
At the 4th BRICS summit, the member countries agreed to work towards currency swaps when trading among themselves. For China, this is a general trend in recent years to internationalizing the renmingbi (RMB) or yuan. At the end of 2011, 9% of China's total trade were settled in yuan with 14 countries and regions. That's quite a jump considering in 2010, the percentage was … [Read more...] about RMB-Yen currency swap starts June 2012
At “The City of Roses”
In my past trips to Portland, Oregon, I was always struck by how green this city is, especially while looking down as the plane descends toward the airport. Portland is in fact known as "The City of Roses." Given the amount of rain in the Pacific Northwest, the whole area is lush and carpeted by plants. I am writing from the city today. Since I have a little bit of time, I … [Read more...] about At “The City of Roses”
President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, to Julian Assange, “welcome to the club of the persecuted”
Following is an interesting interview of Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, by Julian Assange. There are many criticisms of U.S. foreign policy, but what I find most interesting is Correa lamenting the fact he has to fight against moneyed interests within his own country who control the mass media. Assange asked about China being a replacement devil as source of capital. … [Read more...] about President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, to Julian Assange, “welcome to the club of the persecuted”