Wanlikhang

Sailing break

Wan Lik Hang apologises for not posting a blog last week. He has been taking a few days off sailing the south coast of England. In more relaxed, holiday, mode, here is a brief review of some of the places he visited.

Here Comes the Sun

Last week we wrote about the gloom in Hong Kong and explained some of the factors behind it. But there is another side to the story. Hong Kong has seen gloom many times in its history. It has never failed to bounce back. Today, we look at some of those occasions. Recently, Tatler Asia publish...

China news 25th April 2022

China News 11th April 2022

China news 4th April 2022

China news 28th March 2022

This week, we get to know a group of extraordinary Chinese heroes, from the least fortunate regions becoming stars in the international arena.

China news 14th March 2022

We write this week about two topics of interest not only in China but elsewhere. The first is a reflective piece about the depressed mood in Hong Kong given the latest COVID pandemic. Many cities and countries have experienced similar bad times.

China News 7th March 2022

This week our China news focuses on two stories of interest that we saw first from Western, not Chinese media. This first concerns more archaeological breakthroughs about early humans in China.

China news 21st February 2022

The news this week is of a single, enlightened, diplomat who began to understand and admire another (non-Chinese) culture and paid heavily for his frankness. There are many parallels today of those who see the good in other cultures and are criticised as ‘traitors’ by their countrymen.

China news 14th February 2022

While the extraordinary development of the metropolitan part of China has amazed many people, this week we draw your attention to the young villagers, who make a good living in their hometowns in the country, a move that was frowned upon decades ago.

China news 7th February 2021

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping’s “Southern Tour in 1992”, the founder of “One Country, Two Systems” and the late top leader of the Communist Party of China. We revisit his speech to help everyone to understand the “One Country, Two Systems” relationship.

China News 29th November 2021

This week, we have two articles from academics. The first compares Chinese Governance with that of some western countries. The second looks at the latest announcement from the Chinese Communist Party and how these differ in important ways from earlier statements.

China News 15th November 2021

China News 1st November 2021

China News 8th November 2021

This week’s news has stories about China and about Hong Kong. Alex Lo, of the South China Morning Post give a succinct and lucid analysis of the recent changes in China. He comments how these have caused unease – while being understandable parts of China’s governance and future.

China News 31st January 2022

This week we explore China’s stance on environmental protection. ‘Carbon Tax’, as proposed by the European nations these days, has been given new understanding by a prestigious China Think Tank, which potentially strikes a fairer balance between developed and developing nations.

China News 24th January 2022

This week the news is all about COVID and the way in which cities and countries have dealt with the epidemic. Our first story highlights the cultural difference between the West and China in the way in which each handles the pandemic.

China News 17th January 2022

In our news of 6th January, we told a touching story of an abandoned baby who then cared for her adopted father from a young age. This week, we look at a very different young person’s story – a schoolgirl who felt oppressed by her parents and her classmates.

China News 3rd January 2022

China News 13th December 2021

With our apologies for the lack of China News last week, here are three news articles we have selected this week. The first concerns the ‘Democracy Summit’ hosted by President Biden this week. Chinese writers see democracy in a different light. Here is a view from the South China Morning Post.

China News 20th December 2021

The Chinese media and people cannot understand some of the news about their country in Western media. In our first news article this week, I-feng reports on a speech made by an influential expert in media affairs from China.

China News 27th December 2021

In this last China News for 2021, we explore China’s long borders, where the cities have exotic customs and many cultures. From the vast deserts in the northwest to the tropical jungles in the southwest, and then to the vast ice sheet and rivers in the northeast, we will take you into 16 border to...

China News 19th October 2020

In our news from China this week, we pick three very different stories. The first is about how Chinese Medicine is being used increasingly outside China, especially with COVID-19. The second is about the 40th anniversary of Shenzhen. The third discusses the age at which young offenders should tak...

A tale of two protests

I cannot be the only person to have noticed some strange inconsistencies in the world’s protest communities and particularly the journalists and sages who comment on them.

China – USA, a never-ending story

This week, we return to the rivalry between China and the USA. We examine the thoughts of well-known historians and commentators. We have written on this topic on several occasions too. ‘The Great Game..’ discussed the West’s automatic assumption that it had the right answers for the whole world....

Kingdom of Characters

I have just finished one of the most fascinating books I have enjoyed in the last few years. “Kingdom of Characters” is ‘ tale of language, obsession, and genius in modern China.’ It is also a charming history of unusual aspects of the turbulent 100 years in China following the decline of the last...

Social mobility

“Everyone is up” means common prosperity. Common prosperity also means “everyone can go up”. Some people moving up while others remain in the same position or go down, is uneven social mobility. Many countries grapple with social mobility. Here is what China is trying to do about it taken from a...

Origins of Chinese people?

What an imposing title! And how dare I, not a scientist, anthropologist, or other expert, presume even to comment? Scientists do the real work and come to their academic conclusions. Each uses skills and knowledge gained over years of study. I have the luxury of reading their research and linkin...

Don’t read the news

If you read my blog, you will know my views about the media. I consider the western media, especially, to be sloppy, inaccurate, biased, and trivial. They focus on negative news and dramatize it to sell their publications. Anything that does not fit their perceptions is left out or distorted. Th...

UK China strategy

The UK’s China relationship – a strategic void? The UK’s House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee recently published a report on the Committee’s 2021-22 session. The report examines the UK-China relationship and makes 63 recommendations. Some people question the value of th...

危機 Don’t let a good crisis go to waste – Part two – The environment

The Chinese characters for ‘crisis’, in English, mean ‘where there is risk, there is chance.’ Winston Churchill, when helping found the United Nations, famously said: “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. These thoughts are a model for the world today. At the start of the third year of the COVI...

危機 Don’t let a good crisis go to waste – part one – Working life

What is Reasonable?

The purpose of this blog is its title – The Reasonable Man. In one of our earliest posts, we talked about what ‘reasonableness’ meant. George Bernard Shaw was convinced that all progress depends on the unreasonable man. We begged to differ then, and we still do.

How old are you?

On the day I was born, my father watched England lose 0-5 to Ireland in rugby at Twickenham. That is all I will tell you about my chronological age. We are asked to give our date of birth almost daily for one purpose or another. I resent this every time I comply. I accept that it is a form of id...

Hip replacement – Part two

In part one last week, Wan Like Hang described the process of replacing a hip and some of the issues. He described the operation he underwent and how he felt just after it. This amazing modern procedure encourages patients to walk (with crutches) within a few hours after receiving their new hip....

Hip replacement

We depart from our usual topics to something more personal today. Wan Lik Hang writes from a London hospital having undergone a non-invasive operation for a hip replacement. Readers who may be thinking of something similar, or have friends who are, might be interested in his experiences.

Think yourself young

In June 2020, our post ‘Being Old is a Choice’, told how some people limit themselves by conventional thinking on age. We followed this in February 2021 with ‘Die Young – as Late as Possible’. In both posts we emphasised that, contrary to conventional thinking, individuals can have a direct effect...

Retrospective

Every now and again, writers need to review what they have written to see if it still makes sense (or ever did). What better time to do that than in the first post of a brand-New Year?

Two philosophers

This week, we look at the writings of two of the world’s most famous thinkers and philosophers. There can be few people in any part of the world that have not heard of Confucius. He defines Chinese culture for many western people. In China, even today, he is studied and analysed. He, and his sc...

AUTHENTICITY

One of the buzz words among the chattering classes of the part of London in which I now live, is ‘authenticity’. This, they believe, is a set of behaviours to which we should all subscribe. It is hard to achieve, however, because no-one quite knows exactly what ‘authenticity’ is. And if they clai...

Gloom in Hong Kong

From protests and riots to COVID and travel bans, Hong Kong has had a hard time in the last two or three years. Early spring is always gloomy here. This year, most people are more depressed than usual. Finding someone to blame is natural. There is a joke going around on Hong Kong social media:

Bi-polar world

Keen readers of this blog will be aware of my dismay at the hypocrisy of the western media and its governments. ‘Undemocratic’ regimes make no bones about their philosophy. Like them not, one-party states are clear that their way is what their countries need. Morality, good or bad, does not featu...

EV’s and cold weather

In our China News of 7th February, we reported on the unfortunate experience of electric vehicle owners in China’s bitterly cold winters in its northern provinces. Some drivers have found their car’s range reduced by up to 40% when the temperature falls significantly below zero. As EV owners and e...

NEW BRAIN SCIENCE

Have you ever heard of Approche Neurocognitive et Comportementale (ANC)? No, I did not think so. You might be aware if you move in French-speaking circles or are in the field of human behavioural research. Even then, if you do not speak or read French, you would struggle.

Fake News

Last week’s post pointed out the risks to ‘The Reasonable Man’ in today’s world. Being ‘reasonable’ is essential when you read or hear ‘news’. Here are a few examples of misleading evidence – albeit some of it produced with good intentions.

EMPIRE

Was the British Empire a ‘good thing’? Does it matter now, anyway? A few years before I was born, the British Empire occupied the largest land area in its history. It covered roughly one-quarter of the world. It was the largest Empire the world has so far known. My Mother was born in Bangalor...

River boatman

Our post on 25th February featured an article about the remarkable Victorian lady, Isabella Bird, who travelled alone up the Yangtse river in 1896. We followed this with a second article about her journey overland to the border of Tibet. Isabella’s accounts covered the lives of the boatmen who tra...

China news 21st September 2020

This week, we review three articles about China’s newest innovation – digital currency. It sounds boring and complex. But yet again, China leads the world in technology. Most countries are exploring digital currency. China is in the final stages of testing it.

EV Myths

I am grateful to a friend for giving me sight of a compelling paper compiled by the UK’s Department of Transport. Baroness Vere of Norbiton referred the paper to the UK’s House of Lords to dispel some of the myths surrounding electric vehicles (EV’s). I have adapted the paper for this post. Many...

The rich – poor gap

For years, governments and their citizens have expressed concern about the gap between the very rich and ordinary citizens. The gap is getting worse. And the COVID pandemic, like the financial crisis in 2008, will make the gap even larger.

China news 7th September 2021

This week’s news contains two interesting articles about the importance China’s labour laws. “996” (working from 9 am to 9 pm 6 days a week) has become common practice in some industries. The Government and courts are ensuring that this is illegal.

Chinese philosophers

I have written more than one post on the philosophical background to Chinese culture and the influence this has on China, Chinese families, and the Communist Party of China today. In this article, I go back to the thoughts the philosophers expressed. They sound so familiar to us. The dates, the w...

OASA

This week’s post is about an unusual and exciting initiative taking place in Hong Kong – The Orion Astropreneur Space Academy (Hong Kong) or OASA. At first sight, Hong Kong seems an unlikely place for anything associated with outer ‘Space’. China has its own successful space programme. Hong Kong...

China news 30th August 2021

Our first story has some interesting observations about China’s zero tolerance policy towards COVID. The second article talks optimistically about cultural relics in Afghanistan but was written before the final Taliban takeover of the country. No-one can tell what will happen now. Our third stor...

China news 23rd August 2021

Our news this week shows some excellent photographs from a new book about China. Then there is a critique of the new 5G service from Huawei that might be of interest to other 5G users and potential users. Finally, we have a brief discussion about the possibilities of the RMB replacing the role of...

EV’s and the environment

I have written about electric vehicles (EV’s) and my enthusiasm for them. In the first post in May, I discussed why I so enjoy my EV. In the second post, I described the process of charging an EV. Today I write about the environment and why EV’s are so much better for the environment than any ot...

Who do you think you are?

I receive emails from interesting thinkers all over the world. Often their topics coincide – or I find ways in which they do. Three such articles came my way this week. They made me think. I hope I make you think too.

How did Hong Kong get here?

In last week’s post we discussed the Chinese Communist Party. This week we cover the background to Hong Kong’s status today. In order to understand what has happened and why, we must first understand Hong Kong’s history over the last 150 years.

CCP today

Last week, we looked at China’s place in the world and reflected on its ‘cold war’ with the USA. We summarised the views of experts. Our conclusion was that culture is an important part of the dispute between the world’s two great powers. When each culture recognises the legitimacy of the other,...

China and the world

We return to a major theme of this blog – China’s changing place in the world and how the world and China react to it. Every country is assessing its approach. Hundreds of thousands of words appear each week in media everywhere. Opinions are sharply divided. In this and future posts, I shall tr...

China news 16th August 2021

Our first story this week tells of another remarkable study from Chinese archaeologists, the discovery of the world’s oldest mint for coins. The second is about Chinese law and the punishment of foreigners in the early and powerful dynasties. There were carefully drawn up laws as far back as the 5th...

China news 10th August 2021

We feature history this week. For westerners, understanding the complexities of Chinese characters is a struggle. Chinese children too, spend hours learning them. In Asia, Chinese characters have also been used for centuries. These are made even more complex by local variations. This article g...

China news 2nd August 2021

It’s all economic news this week. Our first article is a cautious report from Nomura, writing in Ithink.com about the state of the Chinese economy.

China news 26th July 2021

China news 20th July

Great presentations

This is the second of two posts about basic work-life skills. The first was about better English writing. As with any creative activity, opinions differ on best practice. How do we define what is a good work of art? Having defined it, we do not all like the same ‘great works of art’. It is the s...

Wasted lives

I’m Will Owen, a mechanical engineer turned social entrepreneur. Growing up, I climbed trees and played Xbox, joked with friends and tagged them in my Facebook uploads. I believe my generation has experienced both real and digital life in fairly equal measure throughout our formative years.

Bank fraud

We wrote about cybercrime late last year. Little did we know how soon we would come to hear of a live experience. Our friend Peter, a pseudonym, had an unpleasant and stressful experience recently. He was persuaded to pay out a large amount of money that he might never have seen again. The peopl...

The invention of China

I find the articles in Foreign Affairs interesting, insightful, and balanced – whether I agree with the writers’ views or not. This month’s edition is no exception. In an article entitled ‘Identity Politics with Chinese Characteristics’, Odd Arne Wested, who is Elihu Professor of History and Globa...

China news 12th July 2021

In a longer than usual news this week, we cover four interesting stories, the rivers of China, Hong Kong’s National Security Law, an international survey of compensation and living cost and how one Chinese auto-company plans to reduce the weight of electric vehicles. As we have written a lot abou...

China news 5th July 2021

Readers will know that this week is the celebration of 100 years of the Communist Party of China. Chinese people are proud of the party and what the country has achieved. Here are a few excerpts from some of the commentary in Beijing about why the Party has been so successful and is so popular.

China news 28th June 2021

This week we read more about China’s electric vehicle (EV) expansion. We have a positive affirmation of the raison d’etre of the Chinese Communist Party from Professor Robert Kuhn. And finally we look at more criticism of the Hong Kong Government that, the writer believes, must do more to solve Ho...

China news 21st June 2021

Just two stories this week. The first is about Deng Xiaoping’s retirement. He was the Chinese leader who is considered responsible for opening up China after the Mao years. He also oversaw the return of Hong Kong to China. For China watchers there are almost certainly political messages in this...

China news 14th June 2021

We have three stories this week, two about Hong Kong and one about the status of labour unions in China. First is a history lesson about the notorious Hong Kong Triads.

Harmony and IOT

Although it has received relatively little comment in the West, Huawei’s announcement of the release of its new software, Harmony OS2, (Hongmeng in Chinese) is significant. Whether it will live up to its promises remains to be seen. Even now, though, it represents a challenge to Apple and Google w...

Seven deadly sins – cancelled

One of my favourite friends, J, is a world-class life coach. She is at the top of her profession, helping anyone who needs her skills to deal better with their problems, re-shape their lives and be happier. She is incredibly good at what she does, very successful and has thousands of grateful clie...

China’s cultural revolution

I have adapted this balanced account of the Chinese Communists Party’s (CCP) treatment of the Cultural Revolution from one published in DW News. Readers can judge for themselves how official views have changed over the years. In addition, the article mentions a museum that never happened. However...

China news 7th June 2021

In three stories this week, we cover a new operating system announced by Huawei, the Chinese media’s take on the latest US spying scandal in Europe, and some hard questions for the Hong Kong Government on its proposed exemption scheme for overseas financial executives.

China news 31st May 2021

In this week’s news, our first story is about the China-USA war of words and how China is fighting back. We read another COVID story supposedly (but with no verification) shedding light on possible origins of COVID. And finally, a balanced and reasoned arguments for both sides of Hong Kong society...

China news 24th May 2021

In our news this week, we have stories about a new, quasi-political group, in Hong Kong, the new submarine cable from China through Pakistan to Marseilles in France, the difficulties Chinese students have in overseas universities, and a story about the Chinese love affair with jade.

China news 17th May 2021

In our news this week, our first story asks why the ‘saviour’ of the last Emperor, did not challenge the emperor and take over himself. The reason has a lot to do with the influence of Confucius as our post on 6th May recounts.

China news 11th May 2021

Our lead story is an important example of the different views inside China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Far from being the dictatorial machine portrayed by western media and politicians, there is much debate about how dissent should be expressed. This is rarely discussed in the media. W...

China news 3rd May 2021

We chose three articles today – each very different. First is an abbreviated interview between a Hong Kong journalist and Cheung Chi-kong, Executive Director of One Country, Two Systems Research Center of Hong Kong. The Greater Bay Area is one of China’s most important projects and has great poten...

China news 26th April 2021

In our review of the Chinese media this week, we have three somewhat ‘heavyweight’ stories, two about the USA and one thoughtful article about China’s approach to the rule of law.

Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are big news. China leads the world in EV development. Most European countries have set 2030 as the year in which fossil fuel vehicles may no longer be sold. It seems a good time to write about my experience with two electric cars.

The legacy of Confucius

“Confucius”, writes AC Grayling in my copy of ‘The Analects’, “is a figure so wrapped in legend that he sometimes seems to be a legend himself. However, he has a birthplace in Shandong province and the span of his life is precise – 551-479 BCE. This puts him a generation ahead of Socrates.” The e...

Study of Sichuan research

In our post of 9th April’, we featured the Sanxingdui Civilization and alluded to the discussion taking place about Chinese origins. The excavations have also become a social media topic in China. These discussions mainly revolve around the big theme of ‘Where did the Sanxingdui civilization come...

Letter to my son

While I was drafting an email to my son, I found myself setting out my philosophy of life and the goal of this blog. My son then helped greatly to improve it. It seems appropriate that this should be my first post of 2021 – a year of hope and, perhaps, new beginnings.

Cyber crime

While the world is fixated on COVID-19, another pandemic is infecting us. This ‘virus’ is also new, complicated, and constantly evolving. It also destroys lives and causes major economic and social disruption. Like COVID, it will be with us for the foreseeable future. Unlike COVID, there is no c...

Politics and culture

Two aspects of society intrigue me. They are rarely linked together. One is Politics; the other is Culture. Note the Capitals. Humans have behaved politically for millennia to achieve their objectives. However, Politics – belief systems for the governance of societies – are new. Some define culture...

Covid culture

In our post last week, we discussed how culture has determined responses to the COVID epidemic. Chinese academics have also looked at this – in different ways. Professor Zhang Jiadong, the author of the article below, is a professor at the American Centre of Fudan University and the director of th...

Cultural differences in the pandemic

In our post of 17th April we briefly outlined the then history of the COVID epidemic. The ‘quotes’ were précised versions of media opinions in China and the West. They reflect accurately the views of the majority in each jurisdiction. Neither the West nor China could understand, let alone appreci...

Better teaching

My daughter-in-law is changing careers to become a teacher. She and I have friendly debates about education. As readers may remember, I believe that modern educationbadly fails society. In centuries to come, we will wonder how humanity survived. Then Annie recommended a book to me. It has not c...

The affair of the Hong Kong lawmakers

Interested, as ever, in different points of view, we review news coverage of a story still sweeping the world after it broke in the second week of November. No, it’s not the pandemic or the election in the USA, though, reading some of the commentary, it seems equally dramatic. We refer to the expu...

Parallel history – 1587

Traditional teaching of history was boring and myopic. Much of it still is. Lists of dates, rulers and ‘events’ give us facts – if we remember them. Studies of individuals and social attitudes add colour. We appreciate eminent scholars who write in depth about specific events and times. Yes, s...

The problem with humanity

There is something wrong with humanity. And there is something right with humanity. The reason for both is, well – humanity. Unless we can control our humanity, it will kill us all.

The Silk Roads three – BRI

In this post we focus in more detail on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Its intentions are noble. Its execution sometimes flawed. Yet, as the power of the USA wanes, BRI has also aroused controversy from those who believe China is trying to dominate the world.

The new Silk Roads

In our second post about the Silk Roads, we look at some recent history. Today, the modern ‘Belt and Road’ plans to revive the human co-operation and intermingling of ideas and culture. The world lost this with modern transportation, wars and the concepts of modern statehood.

The Silk Roads. Part 1

On my desk is one of the most beautiful books I have owned in a lifetime of enjoying books. “Silk Roads” is edited by Susan Whitfield and published by Thames & Hudson.There are many books about the so-called ‘Silk Road’. This is the loveliest, most scholarly and beautifully produced. It looks like a...

National resilience

Western democracy, believe it or not, is not the only successful way to run a country. A recent study demonstrates that limiting what is ‘correct’ only to what one believes is correct, is not only arrogant but self-defeating. By not accepting that any other system has benefits, ‘missionaries’ for...

Good writing

I have enjoyed three activities all my life, sailing, working with my hands, and writing. I have written poems, plays, novels and thousands of business papers. Today I write this blog, among others.

Data privacy in China

I am most grateful to Dr Gregg Li, co-author of “Understanding Corporate Governance in China” for sending me the Penn State Journal’s review of data privacy in China. This long and thorough analysis is not for the faint-hearted, bristling as it is with legal and academic references. Volume 8, iss...

Why have outdated education?

In this post we look at the appalling state of education in every country. What is education for? Is the industry delivering on the objectives? We believe categorically not. In every country, billions of dollars are wasted on futile learning. This has to change. But how?

Sleep well mr. President

So sleeps Donald – here’s the thing – His words no-one relies on; He rarely does a foolish thing But never says a wise one.

China myths. Part 2

This is the second of two articles to demonstrate some truths about China. Western media outdo each other in their ill-informed opinions of China and its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). Here is another view. China is a strong country that deserves respect. China too makes mistakes...

China myths – part one

This is the first of two articles demonstrating some truths about China. Western media outdo each other in their ill-informed opinions of China. Here is another view. China is a strong country that deserves respect. China is challenging many aspects of the West. China too makes mistakes. Deal...

Crowds

We look briefly today an important part of life in the 21st century – crowds and crowd behaviour. Techniques and communication have changed greatly. But the psychology is identical in all crowds that have ever existed.

Civilization

One of the great strategic games of the early personal computer age was ‘Civilisation’. In a different edition, it exists today. My sons and I played it endlessly. The game starts with a lone settler who, by cunning, diligence, commerce and science must establish their city, then province, then c...

Approval rating

Perceptive readers will remember our China News of 7th July. In it we referred to the study undertaken over ten years by the Ash Centre of Harvard University. This shows how favourably Chinese citizens regard their Government. This has not featured in Western media: it does not fit the current an...

Quiet Americans

In this article we look at how and why the USA feels so strongly that its principles and values are best for the whole world – not just the West. Other countries resent the interference of the USA. But the dreams of the USA have their roots in its history.

Democracy or what…?

I am grateful to Dr Gregg Li for letting me reference his material. Dr Li is a Corporate Governance expert based in Hong Kong. He sits on several Boards and is very interested in Innovation. The case of Dennis Kwok raises many political and strategic issues for Hong Kong. Dr Li’s position is tha...

The future – do you really want to know?

One of my favourite newsletters caught my eye this week. Foreign Affairs tells of Michael Osterholm’s 2005 Foreign Affairs essay about a future pandemic. Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, the Editor, tells the story.