“Rise up, rise up, those don’t want to be slaves!” Many of you are aware that anti-Covid/government protests have broken out in many cities in China. It is remarkable and extraordinary in an authoritarian country where public protests are banned. Here’s my interview with NPR’s Morning Edition, the equivalent of BBC’s Today program. https://www.npr.org/2022/11/28/1139388758/protests-which-are-outlawed-in-china-gain-attention-and-participants

Long ago, I fantasized to become a public intellectual but I was dragged out of school at 16. Having long given up that dream, I still care about the public intellectuals and I am deeply concerned about their shrinking role in China. Here’s why. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3199681/shrinking-role-chinas-public-intellectuals-will-hold-back-countrys-rise

Return To Dust What a joy to watch a decent Chinese film, a rare joy! Time and again, I am disappointed in one Chinese film and then another. But not this one. Return to Dust is not one of those. It is a gem, a beauty and it is quietly powerful. It is a heartbreaking… Continue reading Movie Return to Dust

I had an interview with Chartist, Labour Party’s magazine – well, George Orwell used to write for the publication. It is about China’s rise and what should the West do. This is the first time I have been described as a ‘leading activist’. Interesting! https://www.chartist.org.uk/dont-overreact-to-china/