The two Asian Giants are still not able to figure out the line which divides them – in the longest running border dispute in modern history. This dispute offers interesting lessons on how to, and how not to, handle boundary issues. The analysis of Chinese behavior in the negotiations is doubly important given China’s perception in the west of it ‘flexing its muscles’, and … [Read more...] about You Scratch My Back, but I Won’t Scratch Yours
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Iran & China: Is World Press Coverage Similar or Different?
Events of the last week in Iran have been widely reported by the world press. Not long before, the press also reported on the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident of 1989. Were these two distinct events reported in a similar manner or were they treated as different and unique events? Let's take a look at each and see what we can find. 1) Who are the good guys and … [Read more...] about Iran & China: Is World Press Coverage Similar or Different?
(Letter from Joel) Mainlanders and their pasts, Mainlanders and their selves
For me personally, the Mainland's grandparents and great-grandparents are China's most interesting generation. As soon as I could string a few sentences together I was trying to get our neighbours to tell us about their stories and experiences. But Xinran, the authour of China Witness: Voices from a Silent Generation, being Chinese, can go light-years farther in an interview … [Read more...] about (Letter from Joel) Mainlanders and their pasts, Mainlanders and their selves
(Letter from Otto Kerner, Opposing Viewpoint) Tibet: A Way Forward?
In the comments to an earlier post related to Tibet, I found it striking that, although by different routes, bianxiangbianqiao and wuming and I have reached roughly the same conclusion, viz that there's no logical reason why Tibet should remain part of China, but, at the same time, it is completely impossible for China to let it become independent, since that would invariably … [Read more...] about (Letter from Otto Kerner, Opposing Viewpoint) Tibet: A Way Forward?
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