The Year of Dragon may indeed prove to be as auspicious as Chinese expect. Yesterday at a presentation, Mr. Murtaza Syed from the International Monetary Fund, predicted that China will remain a bright spot in a bright spot in an unpredictable global economy. China economic growth rate, although slowing down, will stay above 8%, while… Continue reading A Bright Spot – China’s Economy in 2012

I just watched a highly entertaining experimental play called Life Attitude of Two Dogs by Meng Jinghui, arguably China’s drama king, at least in terms of avant-garde stage. The dog show is about the struggle of two dogs in the city after fleeing their village. As suggested by their names Wang Cai and Lai Fu… Continue reading life attitude of two dogs

Like many western concepts, Valentine’s Day has made its way to China. Personally, I’ve never made a song and dance about it but I think it may serve as a good occasion to promote romantic love. The Chinese have become far too practical and commercialized. For many young people, love has become a number game.… Continue reading Make more love, not more money, please

Surveys reveal positive public attitudes Updated: 2012-02-10 08:10By Cheng Guangjin and Chen Weihua (China Daily) Print Mail Large Medium Small 2 Respondents in both China and US believe relationship is crucial, want ties to be closer, report Cheng Guangjin in Beijing and Chen Weihua in New York. Vice-President Xi Jinping (R) and his US counterpart… Continue reading an article in today’s China Daily about surveys that reveal positive public attitudes towards US

COUNTRY SNAPSHOTS EMBASSY FINDER EDUCATION CHINA, WHAT’S NEXT? AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT EVENT CALENDAR PHOTO ESSAYS China’s Angry Bulls February 10, 2012 By Zhang Lijia Tweet As China’s rural and migrant workers become more educated and well-travelled they are growing increasingly aware of their rights. And increasingly willing to stand up for them. “A Chinese farmer is… Continue reading my story in the Diplomat about the rising rights consciousness among China’s migrant workers

Paying For It is a graphic novel by Canadian comic artist Chester Brown, detailing his experience of having paid sex with prostitutes. Actually it is a graphic memoir. And graphic indeed: his penis looms large in many of the panels. A friend thoughtfully bought for me after I told him that I am completing a… Continue reading My Review of Paying For It: A comic-Strip Memoir about Being a John, and prostitution in China

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see below my travel piece which was published in December’s issue of TimeOut Beijing. Bangladesh – an Adventure By Zhang Lijia At a Train Station in Dhaka “Excuse me, is the coming train to Srimangal?” I asked a bespectacled man in a well-ironed Panjabi, the traditional Bangladeshi shirt. “Your country, Madam?” “Will the train head… Continue reading bangladesh – an Adventure

Taiwan Impression I took my girls to Taiwan for a short visit over the Spring Festival. I have to say I didn’t have a strong feeling of ‘chuguo’ – being around. I arrived late on the day before the eve of the Chinese New Year. The next morning, I enjoyed a hearty breakfast at a… Continue reading 3 February, 2012 10:31

“Locusts” vs. “running dogs” – a War between Different Kinds of Chinese While I was in Hong Kong recently over the Chinese New Year, I was interviewed HK TV. The first question fired at me was about the verbal war between the Chinese from the mainland and Hong. I should explain the background. In recent… Continue reading “Locusts” vs. “Running dogs” – a War between Different Kinds of Chinese