WHO'S THAT LURKING IN THE BACKGROUND?

of this famous photograph?

Why, it is Wen Jiabao! Who knew? How did he escape being marginalized like Zhao after Tiananmen? Thanks to the ever interesting Iconic Photos for the observation.

KIM JONG-IL IN CHINA

again? Aidan Foster-Carter retraces the several previous visits to China and their implications.

In speaking with ROK President Lee Myung Bak, Premier Wen confirmed Kim’s visit. Its aim? To give the DPRK “a chance to understand China’s development, and use the understanding for its own development.” That tone won’t play well in Pyongyang

Rewind 28 years, and Deng Xiaoping could have said the exact same thing. Perhaps he did. You do wonder just how often this obdurate horse has to be led to water. Will he ever drink?

Good question.

WHY NOT?

As far as this genre goes, I still like this one better:

I DON'T GET IT ....

"The American people, they're very simple people."
--Wang Qishan

MAO'S GHOST

Still haunts China today.

Mao Yushi, an 82-year-old economist, penned a blog entry that was strongly critical of Mao, suggesting he should be held responsible for the deaths of 50 million Chinese citizens during the 1960s. The economist also noted his reputation as a womanizer who made decisions for his own benefit, rather than for the greater good of China’s development.

Unsurprisingly, the entry captured the attention of the media, academics, senior government officials and ordinary citizens. But when I tried to access the original entry, I found it had already been removed ...

In many ways, Mao Zedong still looms over China, decades after his death. His portrait is hung in Tiananmen Square and his image appears on the country’s currency. Yet Mao Yushi’s blog might finally open up discussion on what is still largely a taboo issue. Either way, it was a remarkable act of daring to publish this piece in the first place.

Some on the left have told me that we shouldn’t expect this to be the last effort among opponents of Mao’s legacy to force debate on the issue. The battle lines, it seems, are being drawn ahead of the crucial 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party next year.

THE MYTH OF THE CHINA MARKET

For centuries, foreigners have eyed the "China market" with dreams of making a fortune retailing a product to millions upon millions of Chinese consumers. That the vast majority of these ventures have failed seldom seems to deter the next generation of China market seekers.

The latest casualties: Barbie and Home Depot.

Despite the potential, some firms have found profits here elusive. Analysts said the most successful American retailers in China are those that recognize the complexity of the market, and adopt their products to local tastes and preferences. Chinese are still highly discerning consumers, experts say, and what works on Main Street does not always easily translate.