Bei Dao: Today's Chinese literature is uninspired ping.fm/J4AWL True, or sour grapes?

China's relationship with Cuba is not what Russia's was. Is that good or bad for the US? ping.fm/Khr0j

Ambassador Locke arrives in Beijing ping.fm/1LrXH Hoping for good things

On keeping the US and China out of a war ping.fm/6Hysl some excellent ideas.

Listening to architect Douglas Farr talk about sustainable urbanism ping.fm/Avxcm

Separation of regulatory and operating functions in a sector are important, but no guarantee against co-option. (Look at USA)

China's Ministry of Rail appears doomed ping.fm/b7g3v but will that make rail travel safer?

Very bummed I can't make the L2 China Clinic in New York on 9 September. ping.fm/n7dl3

The Danger to China's Economy ping.fm/wz7VS Brian Klein's excellent overview of China's hard choices ahead.

Third Ring Road northeast fairly crawling with Wujing.