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.

Sino means Chinese. Sino Talks, then, means Chinese Talks. Though this magazine focuses on Chinese topics, it uses English as its official language, in hopes that more students at UC Berkeley, even those who do not understand the language, would be able to learn and participate in the discussion. Therefore, the commentaries on politics, economics, and culture are written in English. But we also encourage submissions of Chinese essays and poems by setting up the last section of the magazine, titled forum. This part is designed for open submissions, including Chinese essays and poems.

Sino Talks was the product of a series of evolving ideas. At first, the idea originated from the vision of simply an online newsletter devoted to discussion of current social issues of Greater China. Then the idea evolved into the vision of a print newsletter. Subsequently, this newsletter was named Sinotalks. Later the idea of a Sinotalks newsletter was further evolved into an independent newsmagazine with a focus on current social issues. At last, with more students expressing interests in the idea, Sinotalks became the newsmagazine that you hold in your hand, with a focus on both current social and cultural issues.

In this first installment of Sino Talks we take a look at two issues that we deem important in the current Chinese scene-the role of Jiang Zemin in China's Future and the phenomenon of the Meteor Garden fever. Dai Tan first discusses the role that Jiang Zemin would serve in the new Chinese leadership team, and then Linda Ding and Dai Tan look at the F4 Meteor Garden phenomenon and discuss how and why this pop show rocked the lives of young Chinese people. Finally, we have some travel stories, pictures, some Chinese essays, and English commentaries on Chinese topics.

The Sinotalks staff exceeds expectations. Enjoy our 1st issue!