And not just because of the extensive and all-encompassing corruption trials last year! Foreign Policy takes a look at the Sichuan city's meteoric rise from just 2 million in the 1960s to a whopping 32 million today, a pace so fast that "its maps are already out of date by the time they are printed," following the story of Yan Qi, a snails snacks seller who has turned her "river delicacy" into a million dollar enterprise. Along the way: Chongqing's history as an army stronghold, it's not quite yet "nouveau" rich and - of course - Bo Xilai, China's political star. more ›

Chinese Minister of Supervision Ma Wen was recently quoted as saying that public servants will soon be required to disclose "detailed information about income, property owned and investments, and jobs held by their spouses and children." Li Fei, who holds an equally important -sounding position in the NPC Standing Commitee, has refused to comment on precisely when, where and how this might be implemented, stating that measures "[will] proceed only after conditions are ripe." Typical. more ›

• Apparently, China's "brownest" city is four times greener than America's greenest. Fabulous! The good news? This is in spite of the huge amount of energy required to heat Chinese homes in winter - and the minimal energy used for that purpose in temperate California. The bad news? China's "green" standing is only temporary. [The New York Times Blog]
• This just in: the Western media is only as free as the powers that be allow. Stop the presses! Say what you want about CCTV, but at least our government owns up to its censorship, proudly flying its black flag. [China Daily]

• Well, hello! Steven Millward of Sinobytes talks to our own Kenneth Tan about Gays.com, the online gay social networking site started right here in Shanghai. [CNET]
• Two gangsters have been sentenced to death after being caught in the massive Chongqing corruption crackdown. [Washington Post]
• Does China need to start letting ordinary citizens take part in the political process in order to maintain a stable growth? At least one place thinks so. [Foreign Affairs]