[Editor's note: this post is of course in response to the recent barrage of articles in the U.S. and U.K. scoffing at the idea that European leaders may be looking at China to 'save' Greece. For example, here, Huffington Post writes, "China As Savior or Predator in Europe?" Does such narrative even make sense? China is really the innocent bystander, but now we all are … [Read more...] about Andy Xie’s Blunt No To Eurozone Bailout
Interesting encounters in Japan
My strategy for fighting jet lag returning from Asia is to have a large breakfast followed by a large lunch on the departure date. Minimal fluid around lunch and depart in the afternoon. Sleep little the night before. And then sleep all the way in a window seat on the plane. On numerous occasions, I managed to be out before take off and waking up as the plane approaches San … [Read more...] about Interesting encounters in Japan
Got freedom of expression?
The west loves to criticize China for its lack of freedom of expression. I personally think that this is a serious problem for China (though not the most serious problem facing the society which I consider problems with social justice and the environment). But the west has serious issues with freedom of expression as well. The US has sent its own people to prison in recent … [Read more...] about Got freedom of expression?
Hunanese vs Hakka
Does all Chinese dialect group have the same representation in politics historically? The question first appeared to me when I read Li Guangyao's 李光耀(Lee Kuan Yew) autobiography, The Singapore Story and From Third World to First: The Singapore Story. He mentioned that Hakka is disproportionately represented in politics in Singapore and other Chinese communities. At the writing … [Read more...] about Hunanese vs Hakka
China’s role in the international community
I'd like to extend DeWang's last post on the possible role of China in the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict with a more generalized discussion of what China's role should be in international affairs in the future. China seems to be taking a more active approach in engaging with the world's conflicts and affairs and other pressing issues and I think this is the … [Read more...] about China’s role in the international community