We are excited to officially launch the 2012 Hidden Harmonies Essay Contest. In doing this, we hope to bring more awareness to the 'Chinese' perspective. The best 3 essays will be awarded prizes with an iPad 2 ipad 3 going to the top essay. This year's topic will answer the following question: Every society has a set of values around which it builds its culture. The West likes … [Read more...] about Announcement: 2012 Hidden Harmonies Essay Contest
Eric X Li, Chinese pluralism vs. Western universality
As regular readers of this blog may know, we are fans of Eric X. Li. In this video below at the Aspen Institute, Anand Giridharadas (of NYT) interviewed him in front of a live audience. As Giridharadas said at the introduction, Eric indeed shakes the foundation of prevailing Western views present in the room. I especially liked his confident and forthright answers to a … [Read more...] about Eric X Li, Chinese pluralism vs. Western universality
Stan Abrams of China Hearsay – A Case of Pathological Bias?
I usually prefer to keep my posts on general, important issues - and not nit-pick on other bloggers. However, just as once in a while one is permitted to get drunk, I will indulge in a very short post here on Stan Abrams of China Hearsay. A few weeks ago, when China lost the WTO Appellate Body dealt China a blow in ruling that its practices on restricting exports of certain … [Read more...] about Stan Abrams of China Hearsay – A Case of Pathological Bias?
Expanding on Zbigniew Brzezinski’s case for continued American hegemony
Having emerged from the Cold War, the United States is the preeminent superpower. However, with the last decade mired in wars, and especially with the 2008 financial crisis, America is full of doubt. With China registering another 9% GDP growth in 2011, America is fearful of being overtaken. PEW Research conducted two global attitude surveys across 18 countries in 2009 and 2011 … [Read more...] about Expanding on Zbigniew Brzezinski’s case for continued American hegemony
Human Rights in Ancient China
The biggest hindrance of the West and the rest of the world in understanding China is the perceived lack of human rights tradition in China. China is an old civilization and a civilization cannot continue to prosper and grow if this most fundamental issue is never addressed. The Zhou dynasty is probably the most formative in that it is during that period that the modern Chinese … [Read more...] about Human Rights in Ancient China