I moved to the US in 1992 to pursue a graduate degree in science. Not satisfied with Darwin and Einstein, I jumped over to the business world in 1998 and stayed there for 6 years. Unable to emulate Steve Jobs, I moved back to Beijing in 2004 to embark on writing and film-making. Currently I travel between the US and China. You can find some of my random observations of the cultural complexities in our increasingly globalized world on BloggerBlogger and MSN Spaces.
Latest posts by Tian Yi
The Law of Love in China
How to regulate love in China? A mock law on love has been circulating online in China as early as 2002 and was recently picked up by mainstream media. Joel Martinsen presents the English translation on Danwei.
Too Many Rights in The Prison?
Flying Yangban applauds the South Korean government's consideration to officially abolish the death penalty. However, he shudders at the thought of extending voting rights to prisoners.
China's Tiny Step towards Facing Its Past
The Peking Duck gives China credit for opening up the first Cultural Revolution Museum for the people to remember the past – “Yes, it (China) can do a lot more. But there's no question this is a positive step“.
Democracy on Tabloid?
On The View from Taiwan, Michael Turton and readers discuss how Apple Daily, the top selling tabloid newspaper in Hong Kong and Taiwan, reflects the regions’ democracy, freedom of speech and cultural spirit.
Marxist Class Analysis in Hong Kong
Simon on Simon World considers that “Marxist class analysis pervades even the world's free-est economy, that darling of laissez-faire economics, Hong Kong”. He cites the latest budget discussion as evidence.
How Many Parents Can Toby Have?
So far 10 South Korean have claimed to be either Toby Dawson's birth parents or relatives. Toby Dawson was born in South Korea, adopted by his American parents at age three, and recently won the bronze medal in the men's mogul ski event. The Lost Nomad cites two reportings on...
All Quiet on The Chinese Front
The topic of Internet and press censorship in China continued to draw heated debate after the US congressional hearing on this issue last week. Rebecca MacKinnon wrote a comprehensive review of discussions among the English-language blogs on China. She also quoted from two well-known Chinese-language bloggers – Anti and Keso....
Political Posture on China in the US Congress
US Congressman Tom Lantos sharply criticized the US hi-tech firms for helping the Chinese government censor the Internet at Wedn's congressional hearing. Chinese blogger Keso compares that to Chinese government's insistence that no one has ever been arrested due to speech on the Internet. He considers both “political postures”, and...
The Threat of China, Inc.
To acquire sophisticated engine technology, China is buying a car engine plant in Brazil, breaking it up and shipping the pieces back to China for re-assembly. Richard and readers of his Peking Duck discuss whether it's time for carmakers everywhere to start worrying.
Racism in China and South Korea
Matthew Stinson observes the similarities and the differences between the Chinese and the Koreans regarding racism.
Gulag for Those Who Talk in North Korea
On The Korea Liberator, Joshua recalls the North Korean cheering squad whose presence at the 2002 Asian Games sparked a mood of reconciliation between the North and the South. A recent defector from North Korea, however, reported the women being sent to a concentration camp for having talked about their...
How to Take a Stand on Censorship in China?
In PowerPoint bullet-point style, Beijing Loafer explains on Beijing or Bust the many complex issues on the topic of Internet censorship in China and why it is difficult for him to take a firm stand on this.
Taiwan's International Relations, a Detailed View
Douglas Adams on Jujuflop gives a detailed analysis and update on Taiwan's foreign relations: “When it comes to international relations, only two things really matter in Taiwan: Taiwan’s relationship with China, and Taiwan’s relationship with America“.
The Benefit of Owning ICBMs
Kim Myong Chol, North Korea’s unofficial spokesman in Japan, boasted of North Korea owning a fleet of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of unleashing retaliatory nuclear strikes on the US mainland. Joshua and readers dissect the sick humor in this news on The Korea Liberator.
Kimchi-Based Anti-Bird-Flu Air-Conditioners
The Lost Nomad reports that South Korea's LG Electronics has begun selling air-conditioners equipped with enzyme to fight the bird flu. The enzyme is extracted from kimchi, Korea's staple pickled vegetable, which is reportedly capable of eliminating the H5N1 virus.
Hong Kong, Here Comes The Pollution
China has just announced the building of two large nuclear power plants in Southern China. HK Dave reminisces on Simon World about what the announcement says about China's skyrocketing energy needs, and how those needs will translate into pollution traveling to Hong Kong.
The Famous Director Goes to Court
Chen Kaige, one of the most prominent Chinese film directors, is suing a young man for making a video spoofing the director's latest martial arts fantasy epic, The Promise. Chen, famed for his film Farewell, My Concubine, alleged copyright violation. Even though he may be on solid legal ground, most...
No Chinese Arrested for Internet Writing?
People's Daily, the propaganda mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, recently published a piece in which a Chinese official claimed “No Chinese has arrested for Internet writing”. The Chinese blogosphere reacted with sarcasm. Danwai translated a comment on a Chinese blog, Massage Milk: “You see, our democracy has unparalleled advantages...
Panda Remorse
In the midst of the debate in Taiwan over whether to accept China's “generous” offer of pandas, The Foreigner in Formosa points out that “American zoos are having a bit of buyer's remorse when it comes to theirs“.
Korean Husbsters
The Lost Nomad and his readers discuss Korea's fascination with “hubs”. One reader comments that “a nation claiming to want to become the hub of this and the hub of that constantly acts in such a way to make itself merely the ‘hub cap’ of this and that”.
Joint-Declaration Advocating Press Freedom in China
Richard points out on Peking Duck that contrary to popular belief, some Chinese do care about freedom of speech. Foreign media are prominently reporting the joint declaration signed by 13 senior intellectuals and retired officials protesting press censorship in China.
