While the Sichuan earthquake of 2008 helped show a lot of good sides of China - the quick response, the outpouring of charity, etc. - some stories remained in the shadows. For instance, the reasons why so many schools in the area collapsed so readily. And when environmental activist Tan Zuoren tried to figure out why, he was arrested and charged with subversion. more ›

It's May, which means that we're about to see a slew of Sichuan Earthquake-related tributes to commemorate the one year anniversary of the terrible disaster. Right now, one of the most popular videos on Youku is of a sand artist drawing images related to Wenchuan. more ›

It's crazy right? Not to say that Shanghai isn't in a charitable mood most of the time, but this is the first instance we've seen of an entire three day stretch dedicated to not one... not two... but four FIVE different charitable events. It's as if the charity heavens opened up and decided this weekend was the day to rain torrents of giving. more ›

• China: “Destroy Japanese Anime!” [Sankaku Complex] "A recent comment by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao decrying the lack of Chinese anime has incited a flurry of online support, with Chinese net users vigorously denouncing Japanese anime."
• Chinese Hunger for Sons Fuels Boys’ Abductions [NYTimes] "These and thousands of other children stolen from the teeming industrial hubs of China’s Pearl River Delta have never been recovered by their parents or by the police. But anecdotal evidence suggests the children do not travel far. Although some are sold to buyers in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, most of the boys are purchased domestically by families desperate for a male heir, parents of abducted children and some law enforcement officials who have investigated the matter say."
• Bill Schiller on one man's quest [TheStar.com] "In China, noted designer and blogger Ai Wei Wei is on something of a lonely quest for justice. The Star's Bill Schiller explains, via Skype, from Beijing."

Netease has released a "Top Ten Musical Singles" list, compiled from the data generated from its 200 million or so Chinese users. So what have the Chinese been listening to a lot this year? Unsurprisingly, Beijing Olympics songs, Sichuan Earthquake songs and... Jay Chou. In fact, he was so popular that his album, Capricorn, mysteriously took 7th place on a list of "singles." more ›