China’s Xi to Make First State Visit to U.S. as Both Flag Problems
on February 11, 2015
The two biggest economies are trying to ease tension over trade, human rights, and accusations of hacking and Internet theft.
It’s Time to Peak
Why China’s Corporate Sector Needs to Set Ambitious Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets
on February 11, 2015
Without additional efforts, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will continue to increase by 3.7 – 4.8 °C, a level well beyond the 2 °C temperature rise limit widely agreed among scientists and governments across the world as a limit above which implications of climate change become increasingly impactful and dangerous. Drastic reductions in GHG emissions, up to 40-70% globally in 2050 as compared to 2010, are needed to bring the world on track to a 2°C scenario. China’s role in fighting climate change can hardly be overestimated. China is the largest emitter of GHG emissions in the world accounting for roughly a quarter of the global emissions. A low carbon GHG emissions pathway for China is thus vital in order to keep the world on track or close to a 2 °C scenario.
Topics:
Organization:
World Wildlife
The People’s Republic of Chemicals
on February 10, 2015
Maverick environmental writers William J. Kelly and Chip Jacobs follow up their acclaimed Smogtown with a provocative examination of China’s ecological calamity already imperiling a warming planet. Toxic smog most people figured was obsolete needlessly kills as many as died in the 9/11 attacks every day, while sometimes Grand Canyon-sized drifts of industrial particles aloft on the winds rain down ozone and waterway-poisoning mercury in America.
In vivid, gonzo prose blending first-person reportage with exhaustive research and a sense of karma, Kelly and Jacobs describe China’s ancient love affair with coal, Bill Clinton’s blunders cutting free-trade deals enabling the U.S. to "export" manufacturing emissions to Asia in a shift that pilloried the West's middle class, Communist Party manipulation of eco-statistics, the horror of cancer villages, the deception of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and spellbinding peasant revolts against cancer-spreading plants involving thousands in mostly-censored melées. Ending with China’s monumental coal-bases decried by climatologists as a global warming dagger, The People's Republic of Chemicals names names and emphasizes humanity over bloodless statistics in a classic sure to ruffle feathers as an indictment of money as the real green that not even Al Gore can deny. —Rare Bird Books, A Vireo Book
Book Review:
Jan McGirk, chinadialogue (November 21, 2014)
Jeff Fleischer, Foreword Reviews (November 20, 2014)
Kirkus Review (September 10, 2014)
Open Field Title:
Related Reading
Chinese Corruption, Now Officially Hilarious
on February 10, 2015
Corruption is finally funny—at least, according to the Chinese Communist Party. That’s because comedic performances in the upcoming February 18 performance of China’s annual New Year Gala, a variety show on China Central Television (CCTV) expected to be watched by some 700 million people, will make fun of corrupt officials, another sign that the Party is determined to reap propaganda value from its relentless anti-corruption campaign.
Buried Ideas
on February 10, 2015
The discovery of previously unknown philosophical texts from the Axial Age is revolutionizing our understanding of Chinese intellectual history. Buried Ideas presents and discusses four texts found on brush-written slips of bamboo and their seemingly unprecedented political philosophy. Written in the regional script of Chu during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), all of the works discuss Yao’s abdication to Shun and are related to but differ significantly from the core texts of the classical period, such as the Mencius and Zhuangzi. Notably, these works evince an unusually meritocratic stance, and two even advocate abdication over hereditary succession as a political ideal. Sarah Allan includes full English translations and her own modern-character editions of the four works examined: Tang Yú zhi dao, Zigao, Rongchengshi, and Bao xun. In addition, she provides an introduction to Chu-script bamboo-slip manuscripts and the complex issues inherent in deciphering them. —SUNY Press
Book Review:
Ian Johnson, The New York Review of Books (April 21, 2016)
Francesco Sisci, Asia Times (November 10, 2015)
As U.S. Exits, China Takes On Afghanistan Role
on February 10, 2015
After a decade of rebuffing U.S. requests for help in Afghanistan, China may be ready to do more.
Large South China Sea Gas Field Discovered South of Hainan
on February 10, 2015
The China National Offshore Oil Corp has identified over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas at the Lingshui 17-2 gas field.
Qualcomm to Pay $975 Million to Resolve China Antitrust Dispute
on February 10, 2015
Qualcomm said the agreement removes a major source of concern for its investor.
Nicolas Métraux
on February 10, 2015
Nicolas Métraux is a Swiss photographer based in Bangkok. After working several years as an architect, he redirected his professional career towards documentary photography. Since 2007, he has spent most of his time in Asia, particularly in China. He works with and cosigns his images with Stéphanie Borcard. Together, they mostly work on personal projects, influenced by their extensive travels and by different forms of expression such as literature, arts, and independent films. Through a subtle approach to the story, they explore the margins of social issues. Their recent series focuses on the relation between individuals and society, helping them not only to have a better understanding of the world we are living in, but also to question who they are. Curiosity and passion for others led them to different countries around Asia and recently to Bosnia-and-Herzegovina. A book designed by Smith Design in London and published by GOST Publishers, London, will finalize three-year project in the Balkans and will be released in 2015.
Stéphanie Borcard
on February 10, 2015
Stéphanie Borcard is a Swiss photographer based in Bangkok. After working for more that 10 years as a teacher, she redirected her professional career towards documentary photography. Since 2007, she has spent most of her time in Asia, particularly in China. She works with and cosigns her images with Nicolas Métraux. Together, they mostly work on personal projects, influenced by their extensive travels and by different forms of expression such as literature, arts, and independent films. Through a subtle approach to the story, they explore the margins of social issues. Their recent series focuses on the relation between individuals and society, helping them not only to have a better understanding of the world we are living in, but also to question who they are. Curiosity and passion for others led them to different countries around Asia and recently to Bosnia-and-Herzegovina. A book designed by Smith Design in London and published by GOST Publishers, London, will finalize three-year project in the Balkans and will be released in 2015.