China Diary

Tue 23rd Apr

Oranges at New Year

Oranges are grown in southern China and were popular presents for children. In Chinese it sounds close to 祝 zhù 'to wish' so it symbolizes a wish for good fortune.A tribute of oranges used to be sent from Fujian province to Beijing in time for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) festivities. It was a much prized fruit to brighten up the house in winter.
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Mon 22nd Apr

Oranges at New Year

Oranges are grown in southern China and were popular presents for children. In Chinese it sounds close to 祝 zhù 'to wish' so it symbolizes a wish for good fortune.A tribute of oranges used to be sent from Fujian province to Beijing in time for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) festivities. It was a much prized fruit to brighten up the house in winter.
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Sun 21st Apr

Lofty Everest

As the international border runs directly through the mountain China claims the eastern half of the world's highest mountain. The English name is named after the surveyor who measured its height - Sir George Everest. In China it is known as Zhumulangma 'Holy Mother'.
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Sat 20th Apr

Lofty Everest

As the international border runs directly through the mountain China claims the eastern half of the world's highest mountain. The English name is named after the surveyor who measured its height - Sir George Everest. In China it is known as Zhumulangma 'Holy Mother'.
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Fri 19th Apr

Mercury magic

From ancient times the sulfide of mercury cinnabar has been considered magical. When heated liquid mercury is created and so it was a substance for transformation including mortal to immortal. Cinnabar was used to give the red color to the wax on seals used on paintings and documents.
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Thu 18th Apr

Mercury magic

From ancient times the sulfide of mercury cinnabar has been considered magical. When heated liquid mercury is created and so it was a substance for transformation including mortal to immortal. Cinnabar was used to give the red color to the wax on seals used on paintings and documents.
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Wed 17th Apr

The Long March

Without the Long March it is very unlikely there would have been a Communist government in China. The march of Mao and other leaders was of 6,000 miles through the snow and mountains of western China to escape the clutches of the Nationalist Army. Of the 60,000 who set out from Jiangxi only 7,000 arrived in Shaanxi. It was dominated by young people - 53% were under 23 years old. It represented dogged determination and mutual dependence that remained for the rest of their lives. Mao Zedong emerged as the wily tactician who out-foxed his opponents.
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Tue 16th Apr

The Long March

Without the Long March it is very unlikely there would have been a Communist government in China. The march of Mao and other leaders was of 6,000 miles through the snow and mountains of western China to escape the clutches of the Nationalist Army. Of the 60,000 who set out from Jiangxi only 7,000 arrived in Shaanxi. It was dominated by young people - 53% were under 23 years old. It represented dogged determination and mutual dependence that remained for the rest of their lives. Mao Zedong emerged as the wily tactician who out-foxed his opponents.
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Mon 15th Apr

Sun Yatsen in London

Sun Yatsen's revolutionary work soon brought him to the attention of the Qing authorities. In 1896 while visiting London he was kidnapped and held at the Chinese Chargé d'affaires. Strong public support in the British newspapers and the efforts of Sun's former teacher James Cantlie ➚ led to his release 12 days later.
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On this day

1989 Hu Yaobang died 1989 (35 years ago)

Sun 14th Apr

Mongolian Hero

Considering the facts about Genghiz Khan and the Mongol conquest it is perhaps surprising that he is regarded as a hero by Mongolian people with many statues of him here and there. The speed and ferocity of the Mongol conquest is unparalleled, they represent the most terrifying danger the world had ever seen. Whole peoples and their cultures were annihilated. About 25 million people died (same as World War 1 with a much lower world population)
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Sat 13th Apr

Southern Rebellion

The Taiping Rebellion (1850-64) swept all before it. If they had gone on to take Beijing world history would have been very different. However Hong Xiuquan seems to have been content to rule southern China from Nanjing and not wish to take on the enfeebled Manchu dynasty. Ultimately Western support for the Qing dynasty was the decisive factor in his defeat. This is a paradox because the Taipings professed to be Christians and followed the Ten Commandments so it would have been expected that they would have received help and support in spreading the Christian message.
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On this day

1988 Wan Li became Chairman NPC 1988 (36 years ago)

Fri 12th Apr

Southern Rebellion

The Taiping Rebellion (1850-64) swept all before it. If they had gone on to take Beijing world history would have been very different. However Hong Xiuquan seems to have been content to rule southern China from Nanjing and not wish to take on the enfeebled Manchu dynasty. Ultimately Western support for the Qing dynasty was the decisive factor in his defeat. This is a paradox because the Taipings professed to be Christians and followed the Ten Commandments so it would have been expected that they would have received help and support in spreading the Christian message.
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Thu 11th Apr