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Feeding the hungry giant
How will China, a nation with 22% of the world’s population but with only 9% of the world’s arable land, continue to feed her people?
Little red taxis — they were everywhere. Blowing their horns. Weaving in and out of the traffic. Scaring me. And the bikes! Wherever I looked, little red taxis and bikes — my first and lasting impression of Beijing in 1995. And people! People all around me — people, people, people. All busy going somewhere. Doing something. Eating. Walking. Cycling. Eating. Did I say eating? Oh and can the Chinese eat! They do love their food.
Feeding the hungry giant (Part 2 of 2)
How will China, a nation with 22% of the world’s population but with only 9% of the world’s arable land, continue to feed her people?
< BACK to Feeding the hungry giant (Part 1 of 2)
Blind man's bluff
A 79-year-old woman triumphs over a revisionist historian's assault.
"We remember the suffering of the individual women who were subjected to sexual violence by the Japanese military, lament the victims of wartime sexual violence throughout the world, pray for a peaceful world without war." These words are inscribed in 12 languages on a cenotaph unveiled on Japan's Okinawa island.
Apology for a rape
The Nanjing Massacre is a sore point in the Sino-Japanese relationship and something has to be done about it soon.
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A Sino-Japanese time bomb is ticking. If nothing is done to defuse it, it will explode in December 2007, when China commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Rape of Nanjing.
No comfort for the women (Part 1 of 2)
For fifty years, Jan Huff O'Herne clung on to a secret she could not tell her family because she was too ashamed.
Whether it was her birthday or Mother's Day, O’Herne’s two daughters knew never to bring her flowers; they just didn't know why. Then one day in 1992, by the time they were all grown up, they finally uncovered the reason through a 30-page letter from their mother.
No comfort for the women (part 2 of 2)
For fifty years, Jan Huff O'Herne clung on to a secret she could not tell her family because she was too ashamed
<BACK to No comfort for the women (Part 1 of 2)
Because of the trauma her body had gone through, O’Herne suffered four miscarriages and had to have a major operation before she could bring a baby to term.
Mighty mediocrity of Chinese sports
One of the greatest regrets in an otherwise spectacular hosting of the Beijing Olympics for China must surely be its famous hurdler Liu Xiang pulling out of the 110m event due to injury.
As we recall the collective gasp that went around China following the announcement, theasiamag.com recalls the other year of Chinese sporting disappointments that was 2005.
In 2005, China had major achievements in sports, but the regrets seem to overshadow them. What follows is a list of the 10 biggest regrets Chinese sportsmen and women had in 2005.
Waiter, there is a pullet in my soup!
One of the oldest and richest cuisines in the world has now become blah, thanks to the lingo police.
Alright, hands up, those of you who know what a pullet is. Good if you do. Otherwise China’s new state-mandated menu, meant to make your life easier, will now have you scratching your heads in utter confusion.
2008: The Chinese odyssey
Forget all you learnt about Columbus. It was the Chinese who discovered America.
And no, it is not China making the claim.
The Menzies were in Beijing to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary but Gavin went home with more than souvenirs and photographs. The retired British Royal navy submarine captain returned to London with the foundation for a book which would rewrite world history.
As they toured, his guide was getting exasperated, unable to answer his questions.
"Why were the Forbidden Palace, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall near Beijing all completed in 1421?" he asked.
Of 8s, China and basketball
Every year there is a draft that no one dodges. In fact there are more aspirants than there is space on the list.
Everyone knows by now the Olympics began on August 8th, 2008 because the Chinese think the number "8" is lucky. Well, they may have one Italian backing them up on that one.
