Spare me the lecture
I was a student protestor in 1989, but China's youth has moved on
Tiananmen 20 years on: lessons from Russia
Twenty years ago, China could have followed the path of the Soviet Union. Now the picture is very different: but China's leaders could still learn from Gorbachev
China café
Our coffee shop is the only one of its kind around and we have to turn away customers. Anyone want to open up a rival business?
China café
I lived in Shanghai for seven years and I was last in the city six months ago—yet downtown is already completely unrecognisable
China café
My note to myself read: dinner for ten Atomic Bombshells, 7pm. I'd been warned that the burlesque troupe like to let their hair down…
China café
My neighbour, who has just died, suffered in the cultural revolution. But no one ever tried to make amends. There's no truth and reconciliation commission in China
China café
Religion in Chinese public life can be a delicate balancing act. My neighbours still managed to put on an early Christmas service—complete with a deafening brass band
China café
There's no stopping progress in China—dirt roads are replacing the lovely old mountain trails, and only I seem to care. Luckily, it's the time of year to get drunk
China café
Years of authoritarian rule have made China into a "me first" society. But among my neighbours, manners survive. Plus, the highway patrol and the end of the tourist season
Shadow of candles flickering red
Music helped Chen Wei to survive the cultural revolution. But it also brought him an unexpected lesson in desire
China takes advantage
The financial crisis is threatening American economic hegemony and already the next challenger for global influence—China—is taking advantage.
China café
Living on a mountain adds to the problem of finding a good school. Our nearest town is 40 minutes' drive away. Should my daughter be a boarder, like the other six year olds?