Guanxi Master

Many of you who read our blog here have noticed the break in postings over the last few weeks. We have gone through some transitions here in our office and will be going through a few more over the next couple of weeks. Read the rest of this entry »

Past and Present Hollywood Stereotypes and Archetypes of China

One of the great movies of the 50’s is the legendary Around the World in Eighty Days, and part of the charm of the 1956 movie adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel is in its exaggerated stereotyping of the characters. It’s a surprise feast for the eye and delightfully flooded with incidental cameo appearances of almost fifty celebrities alive at the time. Directed by Michael Anderson and produced by Michael Todd, the film starred the stately Larry Niven as Phileas Fogg. Nominated for eight Oscars and winning five, it was a late part of that era in which Hollywood “took itself seriously.” Todd’s movie is an affectionately tongue-in-cheek “seriously epic” send up of 1930’s -1950’s Hollywood. Read the rest of this entry »

How the West overlooks the positive requirements for constructive critique

In a recent blog at The China Beat, the Association of Asian Studies’ annual conference in Philadelphia expressed dismay that Beijing had prevented its Chinese featured speaker Cui Weiping (崔卫平) from attending. Ms. Cui had been scheduled to participate in the conference’s round table discussion “Against Amnesia: History, Memory, and the Role of Public Intellectuals in 21st Century China,” and while her work commitments were cited as the reason for refusing her exit from China, the title of the session itself may have been enough to raise concerns in Beijing. Control of an intellectual who may potentially be critical of China has a long historical precedent.

In China, artists and intellectuals have been fostered in an atmosphere of an almost religious awe for authority that must be scrupulously maintained in order to keep harmony and prevent dissent from breaking out into social unrest and chaos. When it comes to pointing out flaws in the ruling system, class, or person, the Chinese have a saying: Read the rest of this entry »

In the face of heartbreaking tragedy, we share the sorrow of a nation

Yesterday, China’s internet turned gray as the major websites removed color from their home pages, and memorial ceremonies where held on television and around the country. In a display of national solidarity, the people have come together to mourn the tragic loss of life in last week’s Yushu earthquakes. As soldier and civilian, monk and minister have labored side-by-side to desperately save as many lives from the wreckage as they can, differences have been put aside, and across the rest of the country, people from all walks of life are also pausing to grieve the appalling tragedy.

We stand with the Chinese people, to mourn the deaths of so many people and the destruction of so many lives. We grieve the permanent impact last week’s events will have on countless loved ones left behind, children wretchedly orphaned, and families forced to restart their lives from the rubble. And we encourage all our readers, in the face of such incalculable loss, to pause and commiserate with the Chinese people.

Profound insights on modern Chinese society from the nation’s most popular cartoon

They’re probably the most famous sheep in history since Mary’s little lamb, and they show no signs of slowing. Creative Power Entertaining’s 喜羊羊与灰太狼 (“Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf”) has been one of the most popular cartoons in Chinese animation history, winning fans amongst children and adults alike. It has aired on more than forty networks nationwide, and received some of China’s most prestigious awards. Having created such an incredible response from both television and cinema audiences, Jolly Sheep (as it’s generally known) has obviously struck a chord with the Chinese psyche. This is because Jolly Sheep is not just a cartoon but also a commentary on modern culture, and for China-watchers, its storylines are very revealing. Read the rest of this entry »