China sees unfulfilled potential in the wind

CAMEL MOUNTAIN, China — Among the many people with concerns about the enormous wind turbines being built here, count Jing Xiuwan.”Once the windmills start turning, it will rain much less,” says Jing, 56, a farmer. “Everyone is worried.”
 That’s a myth — a common one in China. Yet the Chinese government and industry groups have legitimate [...]

Imagine when China runs a trade deficit

If current trends continue, China might swing to a trade deficit
in the not-too-distant future. Given that China has enjoyed more
than a decade of strong exports, this may sound a bit far-fetched.
But even if it happens, this would not necessarily be something for
the world to worry about.
Some economists have recently sounded alarm bells about the
possibility of [...]

After 60 years, China’s Communists mean business

(Reuters) – Shortly after the Communist Party took power in China, capitalists in Shanghai paraded through the streets with drums and flags, asking the Party to take over their businesses.
On Thursday, the Party will celebrate the 60th year of its rule over mainland China, having mostly abandoned its Marxist ideals for “socialism with Chinese characteristics” [...]

Palestinians call for Israel to be ‘punished’ for Gaza offensive

(CNN) — Palestinians on Tuesday urged the United Nations to “punish” Israel as a scathing U.N. report accused the nation of war crimes during its military offensive in Gaza last winter.
But Israel rejected the investigation as one-sided and shameful.
The report accused Israel of committing “actions amounting to war crimes, possibly crimes against humanity” during its [...]

Google Wave to be released to 100,000 testers Wednesday

(CNN) — Google Wave, a product that promises to revolutionize online communication, will go out to about 100,000 beta testers Wednesday.
The Web application from Google Inc. combines elements of e-mail, chat, Wiki documents, blogs and photo-sharing sites to create a form of Internet communication called a “hosted conversation,” or a “wave.”
Google demonstrated Wave at the [...]

17 deaths reported after Samoa quake; tsunami warning ends

(CNN) — A tsunami warning for the South Pacific was called off hours after a magnitude 8.0 earthquake was recorded near American Samoa, but the extent of the damage of earlier tsunami waves was still unfolding.
At least 17 deaths were confirmed, said Dr. Salamo Laumoli, director of health services of American Samoa.
“Two or three villages [...]

Letters: Time to Go Home?

I recently received an email query from a young American fellow who’s been working out of south China for the past five years, mostly in contract manufacturing. I’ve edited the letter to maintain his anonymity:
I seem to be plagued with constant thoughts of returning back to the states to go to school for an MBA [...]

Should Al Gore (or Anyone Else) be Praising Green China?

If there is one thing that continually bothers me, it is when people (leaders in particular) selectively cherry pick a few data points and come up with a broad stroke ASSessment of what is occurring on the ground. It is of course a global phenomenon, but in the realm of green, carbon, and rhetoric, there [...]

Jietai Si: Beijing’s Tranquil Hilltop Temple

By Mark Turner
Jietai Si Buddhist temple (戒台寺 | Jiètāi Sì) is one of Beijing’s lesser known treasures, a peaceful site that offers a pleasant alternative to more commonly known and frequented destinations. The buddhist monastery at Jietai Si dates back to 622 AD, and is therefore somewhat less ancient than more popular tourist attractions, such [...]

Tao Yuanming – No Time to Be Busy

By Ernie
Busy-ness is a universal faith. The first article of busyness proclaims that the more busy you are, the more justified your existence. The second, only busyness will bring you enough money and status to calm the raging ego, to bring peace and happiness. Believers don’t want to hear that JP Morgan did little but [...]