With a jet-lagged baby, I thought this morning would be the perfect time to attend one of my favorite events in Beijing: watching the raising of the national flag on Tiananmen square. It is a daily ritual at sunrise, but always thrilling with its simplicity, elegance; I've only attended a few times (emphasis: sunrise), and always found it deeply moving. Here's a video, from … [Read more...] about Tiananmen at sunrise
culture
Zhang Ziyi – What's in a name?
Zhang Ziyi was recently interviewed on a Chinese TV network: She said (in translation): The first time I was the lead in an English-language film, I received some high praise. And especially as a Chinese person, I thought that was something to be proud of. At the Cannes Film Festival, in front of all that media, then they call your name... And as a Chinese person, they … [Read more...] about Zhang Ziyi – What's in a name?
Chinese Exceptionalism -义理和人情
Before switching from posting immature opinions on things I know unprofessionally to the work I do for a living for a few weeks, there are some thoughts I really want to get out of my chest. I hope these thoughts will help non-Chinese understand some puzzling phenomena in the Chinese social and political life. Notes: 1. My English translation of the key terms (义理, 人情, 隐忍) … [Read more...] about Chinese Exceptionalism -义理和人情
(Letter from Joel) Tianjin’s LaoBaiXing on the Olympics
(This is excerpted from: Tianjin’s "Old Hundred Names" on the Olympics) Here's what some of our neighbours and others from our daily routines in the city think about the Olympics. I asked them, "What do the Olympics means to Chinese people?" (奥运会对中国人有什么意义？) and "Why are they doing so much preparation?" (我听说中国为了奥运会作很多准备。为什么是这样？) … [Read more...] about (Letter from Joel) Tianjin’s LaoBaiXing on the Olympics
How to greet properly in traditional Chinese style
On July 18th, Beijing released a set of official Olympic and Paralympic posters and graphics. A sharp eyed reader quickly pointed out a mistake in one of the smiling face photos: … [Read more...] about How to greet properly in traditional Chinese style