On my trip to Mainland China a couple of weeks ago, I happened to run into an old family friend who used to be my mom's acupuncturist (who has since retired). Despite having emigrated from the Mainland to the U.S. almost forty years ago, she still loves China - and has continually made her annual trip back to her home town for over three decades. And this time - true to form, … [Read more...] about Is there a moral crisis in Mainland China?
The Xintai Mental Institute Scandal
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). … [Read more...] about The Xintai Mental Institute Scandal
The Partnership between Africa and China – a Force for Good or Evil?
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. … [Read more...] about The Partnership between Africa and China – a Force for Good or Evil?
Update: Exiled Tibetans from Around the World Meet in Dharamsala for Six Days
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 … [Read more...] about Update: Exiled Tibetans from Around the World Meet in Dharamsala for Six Days
Time for a More Equal Economic Partnership Between the U.S. and China?
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 … [Read more...] about Time for a More Equal Economic Partnership Between the U.S. and China?