The Olympic torch has arrived in its first Tibetan Autonomous county, and will arrive in Lhasa later this month. Reuters gives us this report of the torch's visit to Shangri-La in Yunnan province, with responses both positive and negative from Tibetans in China: … [Read more...] about Olympic torch arrives in Shangri-La
Tent Donation Campaign
According to government forecasts, up to 3 million tents are desperately needed in the earthquake zone. Every available tent in China has been redirected to this effort, and other international donors have done their best to help as well. (Pakistan, notably, has apparently donated every tent it owns to China.) Not satisfied with just donating money to a nameless charity, a … [Read more...] about Tent Donation Campaign
Relief effort unites ethnic minorities
Hong-Kong-based South China Morning Post (and perhaps East Asia's leading English language newspaper) gives us this article (courtesy of Bill Savadore in Qingchengshan): Bai Liqun still remembers the stories told by the elders about a time when her people slaughtered "Red Army" soldiers who entered the homeland of the Qiang ethnic group around 1949 because they feared the … [Read more...] about Relief effort unites ethnic minorities
Essay topics: 50 years of Gaokao
As many might know, this weekend was the 3-day university admissions test (gaokao). For decades, all Chinese children have studied for this test as if their life depended on it... and for decades, it really did. For those living in a culture that has long treasured the value of academic study, and a country with a planned economy, receiving a university degree has meant … [Read more...] about Essay topics: 50 years of Gaokao
Beijing considering a Speaker's Corner?
A report out of Hong Kong's Ming Pao newspaper suggests that as a form of political liberalization, Beijing is considering the establishment of a "petitioner's district" zone in Beijing, a free speech zone similar to London's famous Hyde Park. The intent is to manage possible public dissent during the Beijing Olympics. The report (文章, translation below) only mentions an … [Read more...] about Beijing considering a Speaker's Corner?