Protests over land have occurred in several herding communities in Inner Mongolia during May and early June, according to RFA (Grassland Protests Spread). Ethnic Mongolian herders say access to traditional grazing land is increasingly being curtailed or permanently denied in favor of mining and logging projects, or highway construction. Inadequate or total lack of compensation … Continue reading Inner Mongolian Artists Speak Up as Mining and Logging Encroach on Traditional Grazing Lands
“Dissident Writers” with Chinese Characteristics
In Censorship and Salesmanship at America’s Biggest Book Fair , Christopher beam argues that categorizing China's community of writers into "dissidents and collaborators misses the nuances of Chinese publishing and politics": “People use the term ‘dissident writer’ in a very confused way,” said Eric Abrahamsen, an American translator and publishing consultant who lives in Beijing, and … Continue reading “Dissident Writers” with Chinese Characteristics
One-Size-Fits-All Qualification Exam for China Publishing Professionals Militates Against Ethnic Minority Talent
In China, since 2002 all technical staff employed in a publishing enterprise engaged in “editing, publication, proofreading and distribution . . . must obtain a National Publication Professional Qualification Certificate” (国家出版专业职业资格). That sounds fairly reasonable in the China context where media is tightly managed for political correctness. But the reality is that in one sector … Continue reading One-Size-Fits-All Qualification Exam for China Publishing Professionals Militates Against Ethnic Minority Talent
“Shanghai Baby” and “Candy”: Back When Young Female Chinese Writers “Wrote with their Bodies”
Just finished translating a new semi-autobiographical novella (synopsis), The Embassy's China Bride (大使先生), by Jiu Dan of Crows fame (乌鸦, 九丹著). This reminded me that at the turn of 21st century, three young Chinese female writers were busy boldly writing about their sexuality, orgasms and all, and being lambasted for it by the critics and … Continue reading “Shanghai Baby” and “Candy”: Back When Young Female Chinese Writers “Wrote with their Bodies”
“Customs of Zhuang People”
The book “Customs of Zhuang People” describes a remote village where people feel more comfortable singing to stranger than talking to them. So if you got lost in the mountains, you are better off singing your inquiries if you want to get directions from the locals. 『壯族風情錄』裡說，在壯山裡問路，要用唱的人家才回答你。 這不是為難人嗎？ 我好不容易背了簡單的句子問路。這麼看來，練說的不夠，要練唱！ 所以，我寫了首相見歌，等我壯文再多學點，可以用壯文來唱。 Visit Song of Reunion 相见歌 for full text by Chilin … Continue reading “Customs of Zhuang People”
Interrupted Traditions of “Altishahr,” Oasis Towns Ringing the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang
In Wall Street Journal’s interview with Rian Thum, author of The Sacred Routes of Uyghur History, we learn that a century ago Uyghur in the Altishahr region (lit. “six cities”) traditionally visited shrines where the history of a local Islamic saint was read out loud to visitors. Question posed by Wall Street Journal is bolded, … Continue reading Interrupted Traditions of “Altishahr,” Oasis Towns Ringing the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang
Pro-active Guide for Foreign Scribes: How to Deal with Censorship of Your Writing in Xi Dada’s China
In a global world where the printed book resembles a species under threat, China’s publishing industry is a striking exception. Total revenues exceeded US$16 billion in 2012, and annual growth averages 10 percent. And in that same year, Chinese publishers acquired 16,115 foreign titles. Authors worldwide naturally want to break into this potentially lucrative market. … Continue reading Pro-active Guide for Foreign Scribes: How to Deal with Censorship of Your Writing in Xi Dada’s China
Filling a Void: Five Contemporary Tibetan Novelists Published in Tibetan
In Mother-tongue Literature, I posed these questions about one Han scholar’s call for celebrating writing in China’s indigenous languages: Who is going to write in their native language — or read what is written for that matter — if they cannot receive a decent education in it? Those weighty questions remain unanswered, but happily, some … Continue reading Filling a Void: Five Contemporary Tibetan Novelists Published in Tibetan
2015 Mao Dun Prize: Who Will Snare Award for Unofficial “Ethnic-themed” Category?
The longlist for what is arguably China’s most prestigious award for novels has just been published (第九届茅盾文学奖参评作品目录). I write “arguably” because, like virtually every literary competition in the PRC of late, even the reputation of the Mao Dun Literature Prize --- sponsored by the very official Chinese Writers Association --- has been questioned. See 2014: Year of … Continue reading 2015 Mao Dun Prize: Who Will Snare Award for Unofficial “Ethnic-themed” Category?
Quote of the Week: Human Rights Lawyer Pu Zhiqiang Uses Taboo “C” Word about Xinjiang
“If you say Xinjiang belongs to China, then don’t treat it as a colony,” Mr. Pu wrote in May 2014. “Don’t act as conquerors and plunderers, striking out against any and all before and after, turning them into the enemy.” 浦志强在 2014 年 5 月时曾写道，“说新疆是中国的，就别把它当殖民地说新疆是中国的，别当征服者和掠夺者，先发制人后发制人都为制人，都是把对方当敌人。” (Tweet by Pu Zhiqiang (浦志强), a human rights lawyer now facing … Continue reading Quote of the Week: Human Rights Lawyer Pu Zhiqiang Uses Taboo “C” Word about Xinjiang
Altaic Storytelling 