China’s reform era is now entering its third decade and just now, in 2010, are Americans beginning to awake to the importance of learning Mandarin.  Now when I say “beginning to awake” I mean the …

International media have reported up a storm on the recent surge in China-Africa links. They invoke a theme familiar from the past two centuries of colonialism and Cold War: Africa is beset by poverty and ignorance, …

Veteran journalist and overall China-skeptic Richard Behar gives an interesting overview of China’s rapid economic ascent across Africa in this January 27, 2010 speech at the University of Nebraska.  Behar is best know for writing …

Last month’s announcement that Beijing would pick up the tab on the interior decorating costs for the ministerial palace in Guinea Bissau is instructive to anyone who may still not fully understand how serious China …