· December, 2013

Stories about China from December, 2013

Chinese President Xi Jinping Eats Steam Buns

  29 December 2013

The news about Chinese President Xi Jingping in a small restaurant eating steam buns with common people was first appeared in Weibo and spread through mainstream media outlets. ChinaSMACK translated the news and netizens’ comments.

Dishing on Sino-American Relations

  27 December 2013

Chinese food culture constitutes a significant part in the Chinese language. Below is a part of an online fictional story on a conversation between Obama and Xi Jinping on Sino American relation explained and translated by Mary Ann O'Donnell: With respect to the importance of Sino-American relations, we will eat...

Debate on the Translation of Christmas into Chinese

  26 December 2013

Ann O'Donnell explains the debate about the translation of Christmas, whether it should be “holy birth festival” or “Jesus birth festival”. For those advocating for the rectification of the Chinese translation, believe that the expression “holy birth festival”, which also means “the Sage’s birth festival” should designate Confucius’ birthday.

Victim of China's One-Child-Policy, 7-year-old Boy Plans Revenge

  26 December 2013

As a result of one-child policy, many children do not have proper government-issued identification and documentation and are deprived of rights to free education and other social services. A recent report on the problem of undocumented children included an interview with a 7-year-old boy who said when he grows up...

Chinese University Professor’s Resignation Letter Censored

  25 December 2013

One day after professor Chen Hongguo posted his resignation letter on Weibo that has triggered hot discussion on academic freedom in China on December 23, 2013, his letter was deleted. A search on professor Chen's name on Sina Weibo shows the following message:  根据相关法律法规和政策,“谌洪果”搜索结果未予显示。 According to relevant regulations and policies, search results...

Podcast: Contemporary Art in China

  24 December 2013

Sinica podcast discusses contemporary art scene in China, including what it means to be a Chinese artist in today's China and how different things have changed in the past 20 years. 

China’s Environmental News in 2013

  24 December 2013

chinadialogue looks back at the major Chinese environmental news stories from 2013: toxic water in China's northern city Handan, thousands of dead pigs in Shanghai River, and the severe air pollution. They also explored why the year of 2013 is an environmental disaster for China. 

Video:Mo Money, Mo Fazhan

  24 December 2013

Laowai Style's Jesse Appell addresses the question about China's economic development with his new rap song “Mo Money, Mo Fazhan(Development)”. The rap cover topics ranging from urbanization, to hukou reform, SOEs, and tainted milk powder. Watch the video below. 

Jon Stewart's Satire on China's Moon Landing Causes a Sensation

  24 December 2013

Jon Stewart mocked China’s space race, suggesting it was outdated and pointless on “The Daily Show” on Dec. 16. Chinese netizens and news agencies shared the video on the Twitter-like Weibo, quickly attracting numerous netizens watching and commenting. The majority of commenters find the funny and the host is nicknamed as...

Chinese Film Director Feng Xiaogang on Censorship

  20 December 2013

When asked about his dream during an interview at China's top Tsinghua University, Chinese film director Feng Xiaogang said[zh] to the students: I have realized all my dreams, if there is any, that is one day, I wish there's no film censorship in China.  His words inspired thunderous applause. He...

China: Online Annihilation of Dissent

  19 December 2013

China Media Project translated veteran journalist and former Southern Weekly commentator Xiao Shu's comment on the Chinese authorities’ online annihilation tactics against Chinese liberal opinion leaders: In early August this year I was abducted by state security police. Under orders to bring me in for questioning, state security from Guangzhou...

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Oiwan Lam
Oi wan Lam is the North East Asia editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.