Archive for January, 2010

Struggle over Global Power

China has become hot topic, you cannot read the daily newspaper, turn on the TV for national news or listen to NPR without hearing some big story on China. Beijing is touted as a major contender for global power, against the United States. Recently, I listened to a controversial NPR talk show interview on “On Point,” with Martin Jacques, during which he discussed his new book, When China Rules the World. His argument centered on how China will eventually replace the American government as a world leader.

31

01 2010

On Point: Beijing’s Ongoing Pollution Problems!

One major problem that continuously plagues Beijing is the battle to clean up the city’s pollution. There rating is worst than Los Angeles. Despite our spending only three days in Beijing we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the densely polluted air. I felt like, I could literally reach out and grab puffs pollution in my hands. Don’t be surprised to see people walking or riding bikes with designer style surgical mask. It’s not to protect people against “SARS,” but to help them breathe. In order to ebb the tide of pollution, Beijing has launched a program to bring back bike riding to curtail car traffic.

31

01 2010

KULTURE: Why China?

photo by m. washington

My recent trip to China was another benefit of my relationship with my partner Scott Barton, who was granted a fellowship, for an intensive 2-1/2 week program that focused on the culture, history and ritual practices of eating of the people of Hong Kong. Who lives for all things food, Scott is a PhD candidate in the Food Study program at New York University. For the past 25 years he has worked as a chef and restaurant consultant all over the United States and in several European cities.

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31

01 2010