Culture Refines a City’s Style

In the past decade,the proportion of China’s urban population has increased 3.2 percent annually,giving it the fastest urbanization rate in the world. Of the global cities whose population exceeds 500,000,236 of them,or one quarter of the world’s stock,are in China. Construction projects in cities are reducing the architectural remnants of their traditional culture. The impulses that drive urbanization and modernization seem to contradict the values associated with cultural preservation. What is China’s approach to this dilemma? With this question China Today interviewed Lü Pintian,a researcher with the Chinese National Academy of Arts and a member of the National Experts Committee for Protecting Intangible Cultural Heritage. As a veteran scholar on Chinese culture and arts,Lü Pintian champions mastery of all forms of cultural expression,believing the arts to be the touchstone of social culture and ecological balance. He advocates "reinvigorating handicrafts and activating folklore" as basic tactics for protecting China’s intangible cultural heritage. His academic works have won much acclaim.     

Educating for Disaster:A Long Way to Go

REGARDING disaster prevention and mitigation education,it’s just not enough to rely on public organizations," said Guo Xiao,assistant to secretary general of China Children and Teenagers’ Fund (CCTF). "Government departments like the Ministry of Education are making up for the missed ‘lesson,’ but it’s a little bit late." This "lesson" drew widespread attention from Chinese society.     

＂The World Is Ill-prepared for the Rise of China＂ - An Interview with Zhao Qizheng,spokesman of the National Committee of the Chinese People＇s Political Consultative Conference

ZHAO Qizheng,former deputy mayor of Shanghai andminister of the State Council Information Office,is a member of the Standing Committee of China’s top political consultative body,the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He serves as chairman of the Foreign     

Lion Dance

THE lion,in Chinese eyes,is king of the animals,a symbol of strength,courage and good fortune. In traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and on joyous occasions including weddings and inaugurations,people imitate lions in the lion dance to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The dance is performed by a symbolic lion or lions accompanied by three musical instruments-drum,gong and cymbal. Movements and rhythm are coordinated,and each of the     

Guizhou Social Housing Breaks New Ground

IT is early morning on March 26, 2011, and the construction site of Yu’an New City is surrounded by people, the crowd many rows deep, and most of the onlookers very excited indeed. Lines of orange bull-dozers and excavators stand alongside, ready for action. This is the ground-breaking cer-emony of a project to build one million square meters of public rental houses in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou Province.     

The Tastemakers

JIM Boyce granted me an interview in a bar at 6 p.m.,in between tasting a flight of 13 liquors at 4 p.m.and getting ready for yet another interview at 8 p.m.The first thing he did was recommend I try a white bourbon.Like they say,it’s a tough job but someone has to do it.Boyce sips and scribbles for Beijing Boyce,his nightlife blog,and Grape Wall of China,a website he runs with a host of other contributors from the wine industry.His real work is brand consulting and market research however,with a specialty in natural resources,but wine takes up much of his spare time.My sense is that for Boyce the landscape of Chinese wine seems to be many things - a national coming-of-age drama for an industry,an international cast of characters,a struggle of market forces,treasure rediscovered,and a plot begging for the emergence of heroes.That would explain why readers like his style of sharing what he’s learned,as he learns it.     

Approach to Higher Education Reform

ON September 1,Luo Lan became a freshman at Tianjin-based Nankai University.Unlike most of her schoolmates,she did not gain entry merely on the strength of her results in the entrance examination.Luo Lan got a spot thanks to her musical talent.     

The Cost of Cool

Individual and trendy products, the foolproof hook for young consumers.AT 8 am, September 25, 2010,Apple’s iPhone 4 of ficially wenton sale on the Chinese mainland market     

Tiexi Mirror： A Reflection of China＇s Rise

MANY old-generation Chinese regard Tiexi District of Shenyang City,Liaoning Province as China’s earliest industrial city,one that carried the ideals of an era.It was known as the "Ruhrg(an industrial district of Germany) of China."Tiexi District has evolved into a showcase district proudly demonstrating how China has upgraded and transformed its old industrial bases and equipment manufacturing sectors.     

Bite of the Drama Queen

WHERE the amateurs go head to head with the professionals Anna Grace seems to be proving less is indeed more,at least in China.Grace,the theatrical equivalent of a Swiss Army knife didn’t intend to get to New York! New York! from Beijing!