Chinasage Diary

Your daily snippet of information about China. Our diary has a daily fact, proverb and a reminder of upcoming festivals and holidays in China.
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Mon 18th Mar

Sinbad the sailor was Chinese

The voyages of Zheng He in the early Ming dynasty marked the peak of Chinese exploration of the World. He traveled widely in the Arabian Sea and visited Mecca. The legend of Sinbad the sailor emerged not long after his voyages. Perhaps the most telling connection is that Zheng He's official title was Sanbao Taijian.
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On this day

1839 First Opium War 1839 (185 years ago)
Sun 17th Mar

Purple Forbidden Enclosure

The Imperial Purple Forbidden City is linked to the pole of the heavens. The area surrounding the pole star is called the Purple Forbidden Enclosure 紫微垣 and emphasizes the Emperor's title as Son of Heaven tiān zǐ. Just as all constellations rotate around the pole, all Chinese activity was controlled by the Emperor.
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On this day

1998 Li Peng no longer Premier PRC 1998 (26 years ago)
1998 Zhu Rongji became Premier PRC 1998 (26 years ago)
2018 Li Zhanshu became Chairman NPC 2018 (6 years ago)
Sat 16th Mar

Purple Forbidden Enclosure

The Imperial Purple Forbidden City is linked to the pole of the heavens. The area surrounding the pole star is called the Purple Forbidden Enclosure 紫微垣 and emphasizes the Emperor's title as Son of Heaven tiān zǐ. Just as all constellations rotate around the pole, all Chinese activity was controlled by the Emperor.
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On this day

2003 Zhu Rongji no longer Premier PRC 2003 (21 years ago)
2003 Wen Jiabao became Premier PRC 2003 (21 years ago)
Fri 15th Mar

Flowers and fruit

Flowers and fruit are used in Chinese art to give a symbolic meaning. Quite often this is the obvious one of grace and beauty as with orchids, plums, azaleas and magnolias. In other cases the symbolism comes from words that sound the same in Chinese, so maple means 'appointment'; orange 'good wishes'; cinnamon 'valuable' and jujube 'early'. Some have a sexual connotation so have to be used with care if used as a gift.
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On this day

220 Cao Cao died 220 (1,804 years ago)
1998 Qiao Shi no longer Chairman NPC 1998 (26 years ago)
1998 Li Peng became Chairman NPC 1998 (26 years ago)
2003 Hu Jintao became President PRC 2003 (21 years ago)
2003 Wu Bangguo became Chairman NPC 2003 (21 years ago)
Thu 14th Mar

Dragon Boat

The Dragon boat festival commemorates Qu Yuan 343 - 278 BCE an incorruptible public official who drowned himself in defiance of widespread corruption over 2,300 years ago. The festival has older roots as it is associated with the dragons that ruled the waters.
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On this day

2013 Wu Bangguo no longer Chairman NPC 2013 (11 years ago)
2013 Xi Jinping became President PRC 2013 (11 years ago)
2013 Zhang Dejiang became Chairman NPC 2013 (11 years ago)
Wed 13th Mar

Dragon Boat

The Dragon boat festival commemorates Qu Yuan 343 - 278 BCE an incorruptible public official who drowned himself in defiance of widespread corruption over 2,300 years ago. The festival has older roots as it is associated with the dragons that ruled the waters.
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Tue 12th Mar

Dragon Boat

The Dragon boat festival commemorates Qu Yuan 343 - 278 BCE an incorruptible public official who drowned himself in defiance of widespread corruption over 2,300 years ago. The festival has older roots as it is associated with the dragons that ruled the waters.
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On this day

1872 Zeng Guofan died 1872 (152 years ago)
1925 Sun Yatsen died 1925 (99 years ago)
Mon 11th Mar

Dragon Boat

The Dragon boat festival commemorates Qu Yuan 343 - 278 BCE an incorruptible public official who drowned himself in defiance of widespread corruption over 2,300 years ago. The festival has older roots as it is associated with the dragons that ruled the waters.
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Sun 10th Mar

Dragon Boat

The Dragon boat festival commemorates Qu Yuan 343 - 278 BCE an incorruptible public official who drowned himself in defiance of widespread corruption over 2,300 years ago. The festival has older roots as it is associated with the dragons that ruled the waters.
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On this day

1912 Yuan Shikai became President Republic of China 1912 (112 years ago)
Sat 9th Mar

Dragon Boat

The Dragon boat festival commemorates Qu Yuan 343 - 278 BCE an incorruptible public official who drowned himself in defiance of widespread corruption over 2,300 years ago. The festival has older roots as it is associated with the dragons that ruled the waters.
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On this day

141BCE Emperor Wudi became ruler 141BCE (2,166 years ago)
Fri 8th Mar

Three character classic

For a thousand years one of the first children's books to learn by heart was the Three Character Primer. It introduces common characters in the language and more importantly the philosophy and dynastic history. The importance of long and hard study is underlined. The classic influenced Chinese people's attitude to education up to the present day.
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Thu 7th Mar

Leshan giant Buddha

The tallest sculpture of the Buddha in the world is at Leshan, Sichuan. It was built between 713CE and 803CE. It is 233 feet [71 meters] high and carved into the side of a cliff overlooking the Dadu river. Each toenail is sufficiently large to act as a seat for an adult. Like many early Buddhist carvings it shows strong Indian influence in design.
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Wed 6th Mar

Leshan giant Buddha

The tallest sculpture of the Buddha in the world is at Leshan, Sichuan. It was built between 713CE and 803CE. It is 233 feet [71 meters] high and carved into the side of a cliff overlooking the Dadu river. Each toenail is sufficiently large to act as a seat for an adult. Like many early Buddhist carvings it shows strong Indian influence in design.
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Tue 5th Mar

Art of War

Sun Wu [544 - 496 BCE] wrote the epic “Art of War” over 2,500 years ago. It remains a classic in China and was influential on developing military tactics as far away as Europe. Indeed in the 1990s, Gulf War generals are known to have studied and used the ancient stratagems.
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On this day

1898 Zhou Enlai born at Huai'an Jiangsu 1898 (126 years ago)
1978 Song Qingling no longer Chairman NPC 1978 (46 years ago)
Mon 4th Mar

Art of War

Sun Wu [544 - 496 BCE] wrote the epic “Art of War” over 2,500 years ago. It remains a classic in China and was influential on developing military tactics as far away as Europe. Indeed in the 1990s, Gulf War generals are known to have studied and used the ancient stratagems.
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On this day

581 Sui dynasty began 581 (1,443 years ago)
581 Emperor Wendi became ruler 581 (1,443 years ago)
Sun 3rd Mar

China's flag

The four smaller stars on the flag of the People's Republic represent the four classes of people: working class; peasantry; petit bourgeoisie and patriotic capitalists.
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Sat 2nd Mar

Ambitious Eunuchs

As a eunuch by definition could not father any children their ambitions turned to making their lives more comfortable. With control over access to the Emperor, all his visitors had to pay a fee to eunuchs. Although the vast majority of eunuchs had very modest income the ones who rose to the top of the pyramid of trusted Imperial servants could become immensely wealthy. Liu Jin in 1510 (Ming dynasty) amassed four million pounds in gold in just four years. The top eunuchs were able to build expensive palaces in Beijing that they could go to when their Imperial duties were complete.
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Fri 1st Mar

Ambitious Eunuchs

As a eunuch by definition could not father any children their ambitions turned to making their lives more comfortable. With control over access to the Emperor, all his visitors had to pay a fee to eunuchs. Although the vast majority of eunuchs had very modest income the ones who rose to the top of the pyramid of trusted Imperial servants could become immensely wealthy. Liu Jin in 1510 (Ming dynasty) amassed four million pounds in gold in just four years. The top eunuchs were able to build expensive palaces in Beijing that they could go to when their Imperial duties were complete.
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On this day

1950 Chiang Kaishek became President Republic of China 1950 (74 years ago)
Thu 29th Feb

Ambitious Eunuchs

As a eunuch by definition could not father any children their ambitions turned to making their lives more comfortable. With control over access to the Emperor, all his visitors had to pay a fee to eunuchs. Although the vast majority of eunuchs had very modest income the ones who rose to the top of the pyramid of trusted Imperial servants could become immensely wealthy. Liu Jin in 1510 (Ming dynasty) amassed four million pounds in gold in just four years. The top eunuchs were able to build expensive palaces in Beijing that they could go to when their Imperial duties were complete.
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Wed 28th Feb

Ambitious Eunuchs

As a eunuch by definition could not father any children their ambitions turned to making their lives more comfortable. With control over access to the Emperor, all his visitors had to pay a fee to eunuchs. Although the vast majority of eunuchs had very modest income the ones who rose to the top of the pyramid of trusted Imperial servants could become immensely wealthy. Liu Jin in 1510 (Ming dynasty) amassed four million pounds in gold in just four years. The top eunuchs were able to build expensive palaces in Beijing that they could go to when their Imperial duties were complete.
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On this day

202BCE Emperor Gaozu became ruler 202BCE (2,227 years ago)
1947 February Incident 1947 (77 years ago)
1972 Nixon visit to China ended 1972 (52 years ago)
Tue 27th Feb

Cultural destruction

During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) there were many victims. One great sadness was the loss of many buildings and items of historical and cultural value. Many temples were destroyed as all religion was suppressed. The campaign against the four olds: ?old culture, old customs, old habits and old thinking? led to the destruction of many people's treasured heirlooms. In Beijing 72% of the cataloged relics were smashed to dust and 37% of historic sites flattened.
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Mon 26th Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
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Sun 25th Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
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On this day

1875 Emperor Guangxu became ruler 1875 (149 years ago)
Sat 24th Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
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Fri 23rd Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
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Thu 22nd Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
Read More

On this day

705 Empress Wu Zetian no longer ruler 705 (1,319 years ago)
Wed 21st Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
Read More

On this day

1876 Murder of Captain Margery 1876 (148 years ago)
1972 Nixon visit to China began 1972 (52 years ago)
Tue 20th Feb

Atomic threat

After the foundation of Peoples republic in 1949 Russia helped its Communist neighbor in rebuilding the country. This included help on developing nuclear missiles. Such a measure was necessary because the U.S. had threatened to use the atomic bomb on China despite the country having nothing so drastic to retaliate with. When China broke with Russia acrimoniously, Mao managed to keep the nuclear program going. So on 6 October 1964, China detonated its first nuclear bomb and entered the select group of nations with weapons of mass destruction. It was seen as a major step forward in Chinese independence and technology. At the present time (2019) China has about 290 nuclear missiles.
Read More
Mon 19th Feb

Looking to the stars

The Chinese have the longest continuous records of star gazing. As early as the year 1093 the Chinese had given names to 1,565 individual stars. They recorded the passing of comets and the orbits of all the planets. Early calculations allowed them to predict the occurrence of eclipses. The stars were grouped into a much larger number of constellations (asterisms) 283 than in the west and they represent a scene of life at the Imperial court.
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On this day

1997 Deng Xiaoping died 1997 (27 years ago)
Beijing, Beihai Park
The Beihai Park, imperial garden in Beijing. December 2007. Image by storyvillegirl available under a Creative Commons License