Drunken Brit Assaults Chinese Woman in Beijing

By Bo Wang on May 18, 2012

A drunken foreigner was caught sexually assaulting a Chinese woman in Beijing near the Xuanwumen subway station. Pedestrians stopped him and it ended in a fight. This video shows the initial confrontation with the foreigner and then jumps to the moment when the police arrived, by which point the foreigner was passed out in the street. The Beijing Public Security Bureau later posted an announcement saying that the foreigner is in custody and under investigation. He is a British citizen and holds a travel visa. The video spread quickly on Sina Weibo.

Europe Can Do Better

on May 18, 2012

Since 2005, the European Union and China have sought to develop dialogue and cooperation in the area of climate-change policy. This has taken place primarily within the framework of the EU-China Partnership on Climate Change, agreed at the 2005 EU-China Summit. Within this framework, both sides have developed institutionalised dialogue as well as cooperation in specific areas. On paper, this cooperation looks impressive.

Near Three Gorges Dam, the Exodus Continues

on May 18, 2012

Walls inside Zhang Haomin’s home in Zhenxi Township, in Chongqing, started cracking in 2008, around the time the reservoir behind the new Three Gorges Dam neared capacity.

“Early on, the cracks were small,” said Zhang, whose home is about three meters above the reservoir’s surface. “The town government had us paste paper strips on the walls to monitor the cracks. Since then, the paper has broken at least three times.”

Demography and Destiny

on May 18, 2012

China is facing a demographic reckoning that is approaching a nightmare.

For thirty years, the government has been obsessed with keeping population growth down, often resorting to late-term abortions and other brutal measures. The panic now is that China is growing old before it has gotten rich. The 2010 census showed that the population grew barely 0.57 percent a year over the previous decade, and in major cities the rate was even lower.

Message in a Bottle for Spirits Maker Moutai

on May 18, 2012

A glass of Feitian Moutai packs a wallop, which is one reason why the 106-proof baijiu is a hit among influential government officials.

They also like Feitian Moutai because a single bottle, thanks to special arrangements between state agencies and distiller Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd., costs only 619 yuan—less than one-third the retail price.

This price gap is contributing to growing investor concern about the company. Its unusual dealer network and a possible slowdown for government liquor spending are raising red flags as well.

Julia Lovell Recommends Five Books on the Opium War

By Alec Ash on May 18, 2012

The Opium War, understood as the start of an unprecedented crisis inflicted on China by foreigners, is a key source of political legitimacy for China’s contemporary ruling party. The official Communist historiographical narrative of the Opium War relates that it brought on a national emergency which different generations of Chinese reformers—from the late 19th century in the Qing dynasty to the national democratic revolution of 1911, and so on—tried unsuccessfully to resolve, before China eventually chose Communism, which according to Mao enabled the Chinese people to stand up against foreign imperialism and its running dogs.

Who Is Beijing Daily Speaking For?

By David Bandurski on May 18, 2012

The Beijing Daily is on a tear. Earlier this month, the paper — the official daily run by the capital’s top Party leadership—led the propaganda charge against the U.S. for its involvement in the case of blind lawyer Chen Guangcheng. Earlier this week, the paper embarrassed itself with a mean-spirited call for U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke to disclose his personal assets, which in fact have already been disclosed.

Chinese Media Seduced into Wrongdoing by Western Concepts

By Allison Carroll Goldman on May 18, 2012

China’s media should adhere to its own concept of news – the Western method is not worthy of emulation. In China’s news-sources should support national development. They should help bridge opposition and build consensus, and never fan the flames of conflict or discord. The 1.3 billion people of China want development and social stability. The media, which directs public, has the huge responsibility creating a public opinion environment conducive to maintaining stability.

Chinese Scandals Rev Up Exile News Media

By Barbara Demick on May 18, 2012

It's payback time for Chinese exiles, especially those with a printing press, television station or just a computer at their disposal. From the newspaper and television network run by the banned Falun Gong to independent Chinese-language news sites in the United States, opposition media are having a field day covering sensitive topics that would be zapped by censors in China.

CCTV Anchor: The Hunt for Foreign "Trash"

By Yang Rui on May 18, 2012

Yang Rui says, "Foreigners who can't find a job in their home country come to China and get involved in illegal business activities such as human trafficking and espionage; they also like to distribute lies which discredit China to persuade locals to move abroad. A lot of them look for Chinese women to live with as a disguise to further their espionage efforts."