Google's recent drama in China has endeared itself to some human rights activists, democracy advocates, even Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Many have applauded Google for taking a "principled stance" against the evil empire of China. I find such rhetoric comical. … [Read more...] about Google vs. China – Good vs. Evil?
General
Copenhagen Agreement
Apparently, after much drama, intrigue, and sleepless nights, we have some sort of agreement at Copenhagen. We'll probably get the text of the Copenhagen Agreement soon. But I think the gist of it is as follows: … [Read more...] about Copenhagen Agreement
An 1833km pipeline for regional peace
A theory often taught in foreign policy courses is that heavily interdependent states tend to want peace and stability between them. I was very encourage to read that a massive gas pipeline, 1,833-kilometers in length, has been constructed, linking Turkmenistan through central Uzbekistan, southern Kazakhstan, and into China through northwestern Xinjiang province. … [Read more...] about An 1833km pipeline for regional peace
李白 (Li Bai, 701-762AD): 静夜思 (Thoughts on a Still Night)
李白 (Li Bai, 701-762AD) is one of the most beloved Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) poets in Chinese history. This is a rendition of his poem, 静夜思 ("Thoughts on a Still Night") where he reminisces his home. Below are couple of videos presenting this poem in various ways. Many Chinese children, some, perhaps shortly after they start talking, will be taught this poem (see second video … [Read more...] about 李白 (Li Bai, 701-762AD): 静夜思 (Thoughts on a Still Night)
毛阿敏 (Mao AMin), 渴望 (”Yearning”), yearning for a better future
For the last two centuries, the Chinese psyche has been defined in large part by the humiliations and sufferings brought about by foreigners (see the Opium War, the Second Opium War, and the Nanjing Massacre). After the founding of the current Peoples Republic of China, it was the disastrous policies of the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward which furthered that … [Read more...] about 毛阿敏 (Mao AMin), 渴望 (”Yearning”), yearning for a better future