China tries to integrate some Western thought

Westerners also grow curious about the mindset of Chinese people as the globe’s most populous country develops into an economic juggernaut, with all the environmental hazards that come with rapid industrialization.

China’s most grateful peasant: a vigilant blogger finds revealing patterns in the party charm offensive

A simple act of connecting the dots on China’s censored Web and Hu Jintao’s genuine moment becomes what we all quietly supposed it was — a naked act of self-interested party publicity.

Prince Charles’ Olympic-sized snub to China

The Prince of Wales has snubbed the Chinese government by refusing to attend the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer.

Caught in a Chinese Box

The most plausible explanation for his (Ching Cheong’s) arrest is that he became a pawn in the intense debate in Beijing over Taiwan policy. The Chinese military favors an aggressive posture, including the threat of force, while others, including the current leaders, are more pragmatic and believe unification may come naturally,  especially after the decisive defeat of the Democratic Progressive Party in legislative elections two weeks ago. They believe that using force against Taiwan would be catastrophic.

With China enjoying good relations with its neighbours and conflict increasingly unlikely, the prestige and importance of the military is declining. The “unification of the motherland” is its best weapon in the struggle for money and resources in Beijing.

Shanghai’s Middle Class Launches Quiet, Meticulous Revolt

Bundled against the cold, the businessman made his way down the steps. Coming toward him in blue mittens was a middle-aged woman. “Do you know that we’re going to take a stroll this weekend?” she whispered, using the latest euphemism for the unofficial protests that have unnerved authorities in Shanghai over the past month.

Shanghai Suburbs in Train Uproar – Al Jazeera English

Photos: How to Create a “Live” Interview

These photos demonstrate how supposedly live, “man-on-the-street” interviews are in fact often scripted and prepared ahead of time. From Dnews.com.

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China’s Hu wants propaganda surge at home and abroad

With the Olympic Games less than 200 days, away China’s President and Communist Party boss Hu Jintao on Tuesday called on cadres to step up their propaganda work to foster stability at home and a positive image abroad.

Video: Prisoner in Freedom City

Human rights activist Hu Jia was arrested at his apartment, located in a residential area called “Freedom City”, in Beijing.

The artist as an angry man

In 2003 Ai (Wei Wei) was asked to collaborate with the celebrated Swiss architectural firm Herzog and de Meuron to enter the design competition for the Olympic national stadium. Their dazzling and technically challenging proposal for a sinuous steel-lattice stadium, which resembled for locals a giant bird’s nest, won. With the stadium now largely finished — it is undergoing a fitout for the top-secret opening ceremony and remains under tight security — Ai now says he will boycott the opening ceremony. He is revolted at the way the Chinese Government is using the 2008 Games to whip up a false nationalism that conceals the abuses of a one-party state.