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At the Great Wall, I learned how the Chinese dealt with their enemies

In the northwest of China lies a cultural gem that combines stunning desert landscapes, unique ancient architecture and historical significance, as well as a reflection of how the Chinese people treat an enemy. In October this year, I set off from Hong Kong and travelled more than 3,500 kilometres north-west to Jiayuguan (嘉峪關) Pass, the…

November 13, 20240Comments ByEmily Zhou

The extraordinary ‘warring states’ history of the global west

Yes, the west IS addicted to war. We may think that all nations or regions have a similar propensity to conflict - think of China's "warring states" period. But when we consider history, we find that the global west actually has a significantly higher propensity to take up arms against whoever it wants to. Richard…

October 3, 20240Comments ByRichard Cullen

China news News

China’s leader creation system is extraordinary

You need literally no political experience to become US president, as long as you have about US$1 billion to campaign for the job. The Chinese method is very different, with a rigorous system to identify capable, intelligent people, and send them to serve at village and county levels before they return to high leadership roles.…

June 21, 20240Comments ByHenry Ho and HC Lu

Chinese history Culture News

Business cards found, 18 centuries old

ARCHAEOLOGISTS FOUND wooden business cards 18 centuries old, it was revealed this week. Searching in ruins and abandoned wells in Chenzhou, Hunan province, they located nearly 10,000 thin wooden strips. These would have been ordinary throwaway documents at the time they were written—but today provide a priceless window into how people lived 1,800 years ago,…

December 28, 20230Comments ByNury Vittachi

Chinese history

Soong Ching Ling: a survivor of momentous times

MADAM SOONG CHING LING, the wife of modern China’s founder Dr Sun Yat Sen, was a woman of charisma who served the underprivileged women and children of the country. Her life spanned many momentous events in modern China’s development. As the daughter of a missionary Charlie Soong, Madam Soong was in the first batch of…

October 11, 20230Comments ByH.C. Lu

Chinese history Hong Kong News

Failed rescue mission: amazing tale behind Dragon Boat Races

It started with a death in the river, the legend says. But no one could predict the scale of the repercussions - which are marked today, more than 22 centuries later, with international sports events. The original festival has deep mainland Chinese roots, but was popularized worldwide by the people of Hong Kong. The…

June 21, 20230Comments ByNury Vittachi

Culture

China doesn’t invade other countries: top historian

OVER SEVERAL THOUSAND years of history, China never occupied, colonized or invaded other countries, top Hong Kong historian Lau Chi-pang said in a recent talk. The country is focused on its own affairs and dislike of war is deeply set in its culture, said Professor Lau, a Lingnan University academic, and a member of Hong…

May 11, 20230Comments ByH.C. Lu

Culture

Shadow puppetry originated in China for a grieving emperor

Many people think of shadow puppetry as a southeast Asian tradition, but historians say it started in China more than 2,000 years ago. In 2011, this ancient art was added to the official list of items of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. Emily Zhou reports MORE THAN TWO THOUSAND years ago during the Han Dynasty, Emperor…

January 10, 20230Comments ByEmily Zhou

Chinese food Culture

Actually, the Chinese have eaten bread for thousands of years

MOST PEOPLE AROUND the world likely assume that China’s main carbohydrates are rice and noodles, with bread being seen as a relatively recent import from the west. But the truth is that there are a number of different breads in the country, and the consumption of wheat can be traced back to some 4,500 years…

January 10, 20230Comments ByEmily Zhou

Culture

Friends who tamed the Yellow River, source of life and death

THE YELLOW RIVER (黃河) is hailed as the great mother of China. It rushes out from the high plateau in the west to flow to the east with its silty water, and on the way, it feeds hundreds of millions of people, and also provides hydro-electricity to the north parts of the country. The river…

December 30, 20220Comments ByEmily Zhou

At the Great Wall, I learned how the Chinese dealt with their enemies

The extraordinary ‘warring states’ history of the global west

China’s leader creation system is extraordinary

Business cards found, 18 centuries old

Soong Ching Ling: a survivor of momentous times

Failed rescue mission: amazing tale behind Dragon Boat Races

China doesn’t invade other countries: top historian

Shadow puppetry originated in China for a grieving emperor

Actually, the Chinese have eaten bread for thousands of years

Friends who tamed the Yellow River, source of life and death

Starmer meets Xi today, hopes to rebuild UK’s relationship

Treasures from 800-year-old sunken vessel exhibited in Hong Kong

At the Great Wall, I learned how the Chinese dealt with their enemies