Strategies and the Universe in Black and White

BEFORE I came to China I 'd never even heard of this game. But it has no shortage of enthusiasts in China, evidenced by the fact that even the most insignificant, junior level tournament is likely to be broadcast on TV. The game I am referring to is go, or weiqi in Chinese. Some Europeans mistakenly believe the game to be Chinese chess, but that is entirely different.     

Inspiring Wine Games

L IQUOR was originally a main feature of ancient ceremonial rites in China. As to drinking habits, Chi- nese people regard moder- ate tippling as good for the health. There is a tradition of soaking traditional Chinese medicine in liquor in order to achieve a better effect, and its success in this respect has been proved. Alcohol has also been the preferred remedy for keeping out the cold for thousands of years. In imperial times, alcoholic bever- ages had direct connections with the milit…     

The Ongoing Thousand-year Chinese Love Affair with Food

CONFUCIUS said that food is the masses' "heaven." This observa- tion was made at a time when food was less plen- tiful than now, but the Chinese people nonetheless approach food with respect bordering on reverence, and eat with passion. The Chinese greeting "chi fan le ma?" means literally, "Have you eaten?" and suggests that the collective Chinese memory still recalls hungry times. TheChinese people have a history, based on necessity, of eating almost everything that grows, runs on or fl…