Japan's NHK World has just reported the detained Chinese captain (Zhan Qixiong) since September 8 will be released. The report said: Japanese prosecutors have decided to release the captain of a Chinese fishing boat involved in collisions in the East China Sea. The captain's detention has stirred tension between Japan and China. I'd be shocked if the captain is dragged … [Read more...] about Diaoyutai Chinese Captain to be released
中秋節, Mid-Autumn Festival
中秋節, Mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival) is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in China, perhaps second only to the Spring Festival (or the Chinese New Year). For 2010, it falls on September 22nd. It coincides with a full moon on the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese calendar, so there is no fixed date according to Gregorian. That has been the way … [Read more...] about 中秋節, Mid-Autumn Festival
The Politicization of the Yuan
The U.S. Congress is running scared. With a mid-term election coming up and a populace that is unhappy about the economy, they have resorted to be mad about something, and that something appears to be China - specifically China's valuation of the Yuan (RMB). The argument goes: China is keeping the yuan artificially low. In keeping the Yuan low, China is stealing job from … [Read more...] about The Politicization of the Yuan
Remembering Nagasaki and Hiroshima, but other victims too
In 1945, by executive order, U.S. President Harry S. Truman ordered the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It promptly lead to the surrender of Japan. Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the … [Read more...] about Remembering Nagasaki and Hiroshima, but other victims too
Map of World Population, Year 1AD, 1500AD, and 2000AD; and some questions.
"The Worldmapper Team" has recently released some astonishing cartograms, illustrating various aspects of humanity on this planet. Cartograms are land maps usually with some demographic information expressed on them. Their maps are fascinating to look at, because they help expand our imagination and allow us to ask some profound questions without feeling silly. Of particular … [Read more...] about Map of World Population, Year 1AD, 1500AD, and 2000AD; and some questions.