From the Editor 編者的話
Message From the Founder
When reading modern Chinese history, I always wonder how it was like to be a student in the dynamic period of early 20th century, when students would
initiate active searches for knowledge and understanding of the society in which they lived, and when students read news and talked excitedly among
themselves about what was happening in their country and the world. Sinotalks was inspired by the thought that the publication could serve as a forum
where students take the active role of discussing what's going on in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
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PERSPECTIVE 觀察輿時評
Jiang: Still the General of China's Future?
To many Westerners, Chinese politics seems to rarely move at anything but a glacial pace. However, the 16th Communist Party Congress has ushered in a
new and younger generation of leaders. Come summertime, a large number of elderly leaders are expected to have retired, including the three top
officials, Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, and Zhu Rongji. Providing a direct connection between the old to the new however, is Jiang Zemin. During November's
16th Party Congress, it has been stated that Jiang will step down from his position as President and General Secretary of the Communist Party. Jiang
however has managed to hold onto his position as Chairman of China's Central Military Commission. For the 76 year old Jiang, maintaining power will have
to take several forms.
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CULTURE 文化
The Mesmerizing Meteor Shower
If you yearn to be chic and blend in with current Asian pop culture, then you can't miss Meteor Garden. This TV series, produced in Taiwan, is based on a
popular Japanese comic strip. Meteor Garden has swamped the entire China, Hong Kong and Taiwan media market since its release in 2001. As confessed by the
producer, MissYang Meteor Garden was started by a group of cartoon fans that did not have any former or formal experience in TV episode production.
Initially, its episodes were only shown once a week in a midnight slot. However, after the fourth episode aired, Meteor Garden received unexpected
enthusiasm from the audience, which is even greater than the most popular soap opera. Popularity and interest is overwhelming!
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PEOPLE 人物風情
A Visit to Chinese Minorities
The Yi minority lives in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and the northwest of Guangxi provinces of China. Members of this group have a unique language,
syllabic writing and calendar systems. There are also many sub-branches and 6 different dialects within Yi. Dancing and singing are a dominant aspect
of this culture. These very congenial people also like to drink , and would zealously invite guests to drink.
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LIFE/TRAVEL 旅游札記
An Excursion to the Grassland of Inner Mongolia
I stood by the side of the unpaved road in the middle of the Mongolian grassland, not knowing where to go. The van was parked along the curb. The van had
a broken tire. Krissa sat beside me on a rock and propped her chin on her hand. I met Krissa in the "Advanced Mandarin for Foreigners" class at Peking
University. It was a rather useless class, except for my meeting Krissa.
Krissa once told me that she was sitting in an Internet cafe near the university one day when a local man approached her and said, "You are one of the most
beautiful girls I know." Naturally Krissa answered in her fragile Mandarin, "Thank you." She knew she was pretty and she acted so. She was pretty,
pretty in a way that carried frailty, that made men want to protect her. When I announced my interest in taking a train to Inner Mongolia many people were
excited, but in the end only Krissa came through with me.
I went to Krissa's classroom and waited outside for her to finish, and with a "Let's go," we went. I bought the train tickets at the crowded train station.
We pointed, we gasped, we hoped. We were all smiles. Smiled at the by passers. Smiled at the Liberation Army officer. Smiled at the sky. Smiled at the
stairs.
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FORUM 人生小品
球球是道
在美國每當提到「足球」(Football)， 很多時候都有這種混淆: 究竟是英式足球 (soccer)
， 還是「美式足球」(American Football)? 不知道大家對這兩項既有相同之處，
但其實又是截然不同的運動有何認識和感覺。 曾經聽過人說: 「我喜愛美式足球因
為它很快， 很刺激。 英式足球��太慢了。」 也有人說: 「還是英式足球好一點！
美式足球太暴力了吧。」 還有人說: 「英式?美式? 兩種都暴力!不明白為甚麼球員
和觀眾都能忍受!」
我自己非常熱愛這兩項運動， 所以聽到那些話時， 內心總是有點兒不舒服。 一方
面想為足球說些好話， 另一方面又覺得似乎沒有必要，人家愛怎樣看隨便他們吧，
管不了那麼多。 不過在幾個月前偶然看到一篇題為「為何英式足球很糟糕」(Why
Soccer Sucks) 的文章之後， 我就決定要把自己對足球的體會和經驗寫下來， 希
望可以藉此消除某些人對足球的誤解。
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