Smeared Type

Following the publication of China in the Next 30 Years, I just released another book on today’s China: Seeking Changes: Political Development in Contemporary China. It is a collection of 13 essays on China’s political system.

I was very much impressed by the fact that the Central Compilation & Translation Press published the book in Chinese in May of this year, for these essays are not only insightful, but also—some more than others—very critical of China and thought-provoking, to say the least. As I applauded the changes in China to publicize different views on its political system, I decided to acquire the worldwide rights to distribute the book in English in digital format, and in certain countries, the paper book rights as well.

Here are the details of the book:

China’s revolutionary attempt to transition to socialism was an economic disaster. Since adopting elements of an open market policy in the 1970s, China has doubled its GDP every decade, and has lifted 400 million people out of absolute poverty.  But as renowned social historian Arif Dirlik keenly observed that in China, “Post-socialism is of necessity also post-capitalist.” As the wealth of the country continues to accumulate, the Chinese Communist Party is increasingly concerned about updating the tenets of Karl Marx’s ideology to create a uniquely Chinese-styled Harmonious Socialist Society.

Contributed by 14 international scholars, Seeking Changes: Political Development in Contemporary China gives a historical account and thoughtful analysis of the major changes in the legal system that provided the political grounding for China’s recent economic development. The possibility of a broader definition of democracy that includes single party rule is debated. By contrasting the Chinese experience with those of its neighbors such as Russia, India, Vietnam and Japan, an image of a new Chinese Socialism that incorporates Confucian traditions emerges. Time will tell if this ‘Beijing Consensus’ can serve as a touchstone for the developing world.

Contents:

• Democracy and the Governing Party: A Theoretical Perspective   Brantly Womack w Remaking the CCP’s Ideology: Determinants, Progress, and Limits under Hu Jintao   Heike Holbig
• The Cadre Responsibility System and the Changing Needs of the Party   Maria Heimer
• The Chinese Communist Party’s Nomenklatura System as a Leadership Selection Mechanism: An Evaluation   John P. Burns
• Party Work in the Urban Communities   Akio Takahara and Robert Benewick
• The Politics of Lawmaking in Chinese Local People’s Congresses  Young Nam Cho
• Singularity and Replicability in China’s Developmental Experience  Barry Naughton w Thirty Years of Chinese Reform and Economic Growth: Challenges and How It Has Changed World Development  Ross Garnaut
• Post-Socialism Revisited: Reflections on “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”, Its Past, Present and Future  Arif Dirlik
• Post-Socialist States and the Evolution of a New Development Model: Russia and China Compared   Peter Rutland
• China and India: The Institutional Roots of Differential Performance   Ashwani Saith  w Economic Reform and Performance: A Comparative Study of China and Vietnam  Khuong M. Vu
• Developmental States in East Asia: A  Comparison of the Japanese and Chinese Experiences  Mark Beeson

Available at www.amazaon.com, www.B&N.com, and www.itunesstore.com

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A memoir of China. Visit www.moraquest.com for more information

Little Jian in re-enactment

I’m so excited to share the news that Mulberry Child (MC) movie will start its premiere at the Heartland Film Festival on October 16 and will have two more screenings at the Festival on October 17 and October 21!

Of course, we are all excited about Jacqueline Bisset, winner of Golden Globe and Emmy Awards, to be the narrator of the film.

Susan Morgan Cooper, Director of MC, said: “I am delighted to return to Heartland’s nurturing and very classy film festival … The atmosphere of the festival inspires many lasting friendships.”

Susan’s last film An Unlikely Weapon: The Eddie Adams Story, was also shown at the Festival when it was first released.

Teenage Jian dreaming of flying away

It was a healing process for me to put the memories of the hardship I endured during China’s Cultural Revolution on paper. The book is also a legacy for my daughter—my effort to connect her to my family roots, and teach her the importance of resilience. I’m amazed by Susan’s wonderful job in expanding the film to include my life with my daughter in Chicago today. She successfully weaved my intentions for the book into episodes of my life stories in China and in the U.S.

The movie is a unique hybrid of documentary and narrative film, using rare archival footage, photographs taken surreptitiously by Li Zhensheng, and dramatic re-enactment. Susan succeeded in presenting the terrifying days of the Cultural Revolution and my fear as a little girl for my family. What Susan finds most compelling is what happens when the trauma of such a past haunts the future and impact my relationship with my daughter.

Check out the film at the Heartland Film Festival at

http://heartland.slated.com/2011/films/mulberrychild_susanmorgancooper_heartland2011

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychildmovie.com, www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child movie is directed by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and narrated by Jacqueline Bisset.

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Mulberry Child, the feature-length documentary based on my book Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China, is finally coming to its completion! Last week, Jacqueline Bisset did the voice narration for the film and this week, the filmmakers are working on the final sound mix and color treatment. I can hardly wait to see the final cut!

I’m delighted to learn about the involvement of Jacqueline Bisset. Not only because she is a well-known actress and will bring more appeal to the film, but also the fact that she replaced much of the narration which was given by me. I must say that I’m much relieved, although my producer and director have been most supportive and encouraging about my voice and accent.

I very much enjoyed the film making process and loved working with the crew, especially Susan Morgan Cooper, my director. However, I also realized my limitations. One of the most humbling experiences was my struggle with the pronunciation of certain words.

Susan interviewing Jian Ping

I still remember vividly a roomful of people helping me say “a long gown,” which somehow, became something like “long gone” when I said it. In the end, we had to change the word to “long robe”. We laughed about it so hard that Susan and I were literally in tears.

I did learn to speak slower and clearer, which is of tremendous importance to me, for I’ve given and continue to give frequent talks about my book, China in the 60′s/7-’s and today, and other social and cultural issues related to China at schools, organizations and book groups. I even gave a few motivational speeches to large groups, sharing the resilience demonstrated by my family–the mulberry children who survived and thrived like mulberry trees–to encourage people to overcome the hurdles in their lives. And I’ve learned just as much from many people in the audience by our interactions and conversations.

As for the film, there are many personally important and moving moments for me: re-enacted scenes on my grandmother, Nainai, a woman with bound feet but boundless love, my father, Hou Kai, who passed away right after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and my mother, Gu Wenxiu, who was stoic and strict when I was a child and a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother today at 83.

After the hard work of a year and a half, a feature-length (86 minutes) documentary has been produced by a strong, professional team. The result of collective efforts, with the vision of a creative director. I feel very fortunate to have their belief, support, and dedication!

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child has been developed into a feature-length documentary film and will be released in 2011.

After releasing the digital version of China in the Next 30 Years, I read a couple of the articles again. Continue to be impressed by their depth and thought-provocative views. I’d like to share a quote from each of the contributing writers.

“China’s development for the next 30 years will be shaped not only by its own internal policies, but by events and diplomacy in the rest of the world—and specifically by the decline of the debt-burdened and privatized West, increasingly frustrated, angry and out-lashing as its politicians blame foreigners fro their own domestic financial austerity and economic shrinkage.”

Michael Husdon in “China in 30 Years”

Michael Hudson

“Chinese people have spent the last 170 years, since the start of the Opium Wars in 1840, constantly searching for a way to rejuvenate the nation, and the reform and opening up policy could mean that search is now over.”

Li Daokui in “Prospects for the Next 30 Years”

“People above the age of 40 know that China’s political system today is quite different from what it was 30 years ago in that it has shifted from a revolutionary system to an institutional system.”

Pan Wei in “China in the Next 30 Years: A prospective future and a possible pitfall”

Wang Huiyao

“To fulfill the diverse psychological and social needs like equal opportunity, social justice and fulfilling individuals potential or self-actualization, China has to resolve the question of how to establish a mechanism that allows freedom of speech, which is the key to the sustainability of the ‘Chinese models’”.

Wang Huiyao in “The Characteristics, Challenges and Expectations of the ‘Chinese Models’”

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child has been developed into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.

I’m excited to announce the digital release of China in the Next 30 Years in all the major ebook retailers, including Kindle at Amazon.com, B&N.com and iTunes Store.

China in the Next 30 Years is first released in China by the Chinese Compilation and Translation Press, a major publisher in Beijing. MoraQuest acquired the worldwide digital rights for the release of the book.

Below is a synopsis of China in the Next 30 Years. I found it a very informative, in-depth book on many political, social, cultural, sustainability, environmental and agricultural issues that China faces moving forward. A gem to be discovered. Check it out and enjoy!

Robert W. Fogel

“China has achieved phenomenal economic growth in the last 30 years. Robert Fogel, Nobel Laureate in Economics, predicts that the Chinese economy will reach $123 trillion and per capita income will hit $85,000 by 2040, ranking it among the super-rich nations in the world. This economic transformation has been accompanied by political reforms and major societal changes. In order for China to emerge as a global powerhouse, political reforms will have to continue to deal with new challenges associated with social stability, international relations and environmental issues.

China aspires to develop a unique political hierarchy and humanistic democracy which is based on its cultural heritage. This is quite different from the democratic systems commonly found in the West. The Chinese “development model” is not fixed. “Crossing a river by feeling the stones underfoot”- the mantra advocated by Deng Xiaoping will likely remain the guiding principle for pragmatic action and swift adaptation.

Yu Keping

Looking ahead to the next 30 years, seventeen essays contributed by nineteen leading Chinese and Western scholars trace the steps of China’s recent accomplishments and offer their views on how China can continue its economic and societal development and emerge as a positive world contributor.”

Contributing writers for book include:

Michael Hudson, Li Daokui, Pan Wei, Wang Huiyao, Wu Jinglian, Yu Keping, Cheng Enfu, Robert W. Fogel, Chen Wenling, Yan Shaojun, Hans Herren, Bjørn Lomborg, Christopher Flavin, Ma hai ing, Hu An-gang, Li Wuwei, Tommy Koh, Gustaaf Geeraerts, and Tan Chung.

For more information, visit www.moraquest.com.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com and www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child has been turned into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.

By Jian Ping

Gan, Corkery, Li and other delegation and faculty members

The John Marshall Law School (JMLS) officially opened its Chinese Intellectual Property Center in Chicago on August 23. Dean John Corkery presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was well attended by distinguished guests, representatives of Chicago law firms, faculty, students, and the media.

The Center is the first of its kind in the U.S. I was pleased to have the opportunity to attend the ceremony.

“The John Marshall Law School and the Chinese intellectual property community, particularly the State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO), has enjoyed many years of successful cooperation,” said Dorothy Li, Co-Director, Asian Alliances Program at the John Marshall Law School. “The Resource Center will provide a unique stage for IP dialogue between the U.S. and China in the years to come.”

Professor Wen, Chief Judge Holderman, Hon. Sharon Barner and IP attorney Jeff Duncan at the panel

A delegation of six people headed by Mr. Gan Shaoning, Deputy Commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO), and Lu Kun, Deputy Consul General from the Chinese Consulate in Chicago also attended the opening ceremony.

Over the past 17 years, SIPO has sent more than 600 Chinese students for short and long term studies at  JMLS. Gan said the Resource Center would provide a new platform for American students and IP practitioners to learn more about Chinese intellectual property law and help enhancing the mutual understanding and communication between the two countries.

Professor Wen Xikai, a member of the Chinese delegation, gave a two-hour lecture on the implications of the third amendment to China’s Patent Law that became effective on October 1, 2009. She briefed the captivated audience of nearly a hundred students, faculty and IP attorneys from the Chicago area, providing them with the background of the three amendments implemented respectively in 1992, 2000 and 2008 and addressed in details the changes made in the 3^rd amendment.

Ribbon cutting at the opening ceremony

Joining Wen after her talk in a discussion panel regarding the Chinese IP law and practices are Hon. James F. Holderman, chief judge of the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Hon. Sharon Barner, former Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and Jeff Duncan, partner at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione.

“Foreign companies welcome the changes,” Barner commented about the 3rd amendment. “However, the key still lies in the ability to enforce the regulations.”

John Marshall Law School started working with China’s law schools and government agencies in 1994. Besides training Chinese students in the U.S., the School also runs a summer program in which they send 20 or so students to study in China for a month.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com for more information. Mulberry Child has been made into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.

By Jian Ping

My new toy

Two weeks ago, I bought a MacBook Pro laptop, completing my shifting to Apple products from iPhone, iPad, and finally a computer.

The latest step was made necessary by my new initiative to release books I had acquired and will continue to acquire from publisher(s) in China. I’m excited to make my contribution in bridging cultural differences and promoting cross-cultural communications/understanding by releasing books under MoraQuest, the company I founded two years ago.

The first book I selected during my June trip to China was titled China in the Next 30 Years, a wonderful collection of essays written by more than a dozen Chinese and Western scholars who predict the economic, political, and agricultural development of China in 30 years. I found it very informative and the perspectives from both Chinese and Westerners provided various balanced and in-depth views.

A powerful tool

Armed with my new toy, I learned the basics of page layout and cover design by using Pages, the equivalent of Word in Microsoft Office. I took one-to-one tutoring at the Apple Store on Michigan Avenue and spent hours laboring over templates and graphics and the color “inspector”. I must admit I was and still am quite “technology” challenged. I put aside everything else, including blogging, and “fought” my through step of the way, day and night. For two weeks, I slept four or five hours a day. After many trials and errors. I finally created a file with hyperlinks that would allow readers to click on the table of contents in PDF or ePub files, the basic requirements to release the title in digital format at the three key e-retailers, namely, Amazon, B&N.com and iStore. I’ve made one round of revision shortly after loading up the files. There are still minor issues, I’m sure, that will be brought to my attention. But the digital book is available for sale online now!

A new release in digital format

A few people who read the book generously endorsed it, including Robert Herbold, retired COO of Microsoft. Mr. Herbold wrote in his testimonial: “China has made huge progress over the past 30 years. In this book, some of the world’s best visionaries examine if and how China can now transition to a genuine global leader. I highly recommend this very interesting collection of viewpoints.”

My new toy has helped me embark on a new endeavor. I’ve acquired two more books focused on China issues, mostly its political and democratic systems. They were both written by Westerners and were quite critical of China. I am impressed that these books were released in China, in both Chinese and English. If my newly learned skills doesn’t fail me, I should be able to release these books in the next few weeks.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com for more information. Mulberry Child has been made into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.

by Jian Ping

Front Gate of Cook County Jail

I had a special opportunity of visiting the Cook County Jail in Chicago last week at the invitation of Sheriff Thomas Dart. I had never stepped onto the territory of a jail, nor had I ever had any desire to do so. However, I must say it was an eye-opening experience. I first met Sheriff Dart at a dinner hosted by Dean Fennell at the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola University Chicago. I was the speaker at the commencement in the morning, and Sheriff Dart the speaker at the afternoon commencement. After the commencement ceremonies, I had the opportunity of meeting him and his wife over dinner, along with my husband, Francis, and daughter, Lisa. During a conversation, Sheriff Dart learned that Francis is a horticulturist. He invited us to visit the vegetable garden(s) at the cook county jail.

Francis, Sheriff Dart and me

“We had the largest jail in the country,” he said. “Is that something to be proud of?” I asked, laughing. It never occurred to me that someone should visit a jail unless absolutely necessary. “Maybe not,” he said. “But we do have the largest jail.” He gave a hearty laughter. I must say Sheriff Dart showed a level of energy, sincerity, and warmth that I rarely saw in politicians. I was intrigued. But I dismissed his invitation, thinking it was just a small talk.

I went to China for three weeks soon after. Upon my return, I saw a card from him to me, saying he was looking forward to reading my book Mulberry Child in the near future, and a card to Francis, inviting him to visit the jail garden. I was impressed by his follow up, again with a sense of sincerity.

A jail building

I arranged the trip with Brenda, his assistant. I was surprised to see the large area of jail facilities so close to the city center when we arrived for the tour. Sheriff Dart appeared in a pair of Khaki pants and a blue shirt with white stripes hanging loosely over a t-shirt. He greeted us like an old friend and showed us a map of the jail layout, with each division of the jail from the Boot Camp for younger prisoners to the building that had the maximum security. A total of 96 acres.

Instead of having a Deputy Sheriff to show us around, Sheriff Dart walked out of his office with us and took us to the first vegetable garden. Again I was impressed. (To be continued)

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com. Mulberry Child has been turned into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.

by Jian Ping

South entrance to Du Fu's "Thatched Cottage"

The most memorable time in Chengdu is my visit to the “Thatched Cottage of Du Fu”, in Chinese, 杜甫草堂。

Du Fu (712-770) is one of the most well-known poets in China. He lived in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and moved to Chengdu at 47.  He built a hut in the then outskirts of the city, which he fondly referred to as his “thatched cottage.” He spent about four years there, composing more than 240 poems, a most productive period of his life. I was first exposed to Du Fu’s poems when I was a child. Today, children in China start learning his poems in elementary school, if not earlier. His classical, rhymed poems are powerful, expressive, and soul-touching. Du Fu’s poems reflected everyday life and events, and he was considered by many as a “social historian.” I was struck with awe as I stood in the rehabilitated “cottage,” imagining this great poet, a genius, once walked the same ground.

Du Fu and his poem Spring View

In one exhibition hall, a life-size Du Fu stood in front of a horse-pulled cart. It was during the period of An Shi Rebellion (755-763). The eight-year war was brutal, claiming the lives of 32 million people, two-thirds of China’s population at the time. On the wall behind Du Fu was a painting of a battleground, accompanied by his famous poem about the war written at this cottage:

          春望

国破山河在， 城春草木深。

感时花溅泪， 恨别鸟惊心。

烽火连三月， 家书抵万金。

白头搔更短， 浑欲不胜簪。

Another Du Fu Statue

     Spring View

The nation has fallen, the mountains and rivers still stand;

Spring greens the trees and grasses in town.

Flower petals shed tears of sorrow;

Birds’ chirpings startle the souls at parting.

Turmoil of war goes on three months in a row;

A letter from home is worth a fortune in gold.

Scratching the white locks makes them thinner;

A hairpin can hardly be held in place.

Du Fu's poems writen in caligraphy along the hallway

I remember reciting the poem as a child and revisiting it numerous times as an adult. But standing there next to Du Fu’s statue, I felt the power of the words and the emotion of the poet more than I had ever before. Tears welled up in my eyes.

I wanted to check out every pavilion, garden, exhibition hall and pagoda surrounding the “cottage,” an area of 59 acres. Three hours later, I was still walking back and forth. I captured many photos of tall bamboos, ponds full of golden fish, and well-kept bonsais, along with hangings of Du Fu’s poems in beautiful calligraphy and huts and cottages built in the style of the Tang Dynasty. As the time came for me to leave, I found myself very reluctant to go.

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com for more information. Mulberry Child has been turned into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.

By Jian Ping

Mao at Wang Fu Square

I made an unexpected stop at Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province. Since I only had one full day in the city, a place known for its rich culture and beauty, I set out to do my exploration early in the morning, armed with a detailed city map.  

I was surprised to see a large statue of Mao extending his waving arm toward the large square when I emerged from the subway at Wang Fu Square. As in any other cities in China, construction cranes were visible in every direction. I wondered what Mao would be thinking if he, not his statue, were watching such drastic changes.

For sale sign at "Silver Seekers"

The first site that I stopped by was the Wide and Narrow Alleys, a district similar to “Tian Zi Fang” （田子坊）in Shanghai. The walls of the houses and courtyards were built with traditional gray bricks, and the gates, mostly made of heavy wood, were topped with curved tiles. But despite the man-made old aura, the inside of the cafes and restaurants along the alleys were contemporary, giving the place a sense of “dual,” if not conflicted, realities. Everything is commercialized and seemingly proud to be so. One store even names itself “Zhui Yin Zu” (追银族), “Silver Seekers.” A small board, which was placed out front, declared in crippled handwriting: “Father’s love is limitless; Mother’s love is boundless.” Under the line was a for-sale announcement of 20% off on its entire jewelry inventories. The message couldn’t be more blunt.   

A vendor selling food at Wide & Narrow Alleys

As I walked toward my next destination, I passed a grand gate guarded by half a dozen soldiers. I saw a slogan on the tall wall that stated something along the line of “soldiers are not to be violated!” I thought it was quite odd. Soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army had always been claimed to be the “sons and brothers of the people.” The signage projected a message that was quite foreign to me. I took out my small point-and-shoot camera and wanted to take a photo of the slogan. I heard a loud shouting even before the cover of my camera opened.

“No photo taking!” a uniformed soldier by the gate shouted in a fierce voice.

I was surprised by the hostility. Just as I was about to put away my camera, another soldier ran to me in record speed. There was no sign indicating what organization was behind the gate and no language stating photos are prohibited. Besides, the place was very close to the center of town. My puzzled look didn’t slow down the soldier’s demand to take a look at my camera. He didn’t leave until he was assured I didn’t take any photo. I felt offended by the rude treatment and asked a street vendor half a block away what was behind the tall walls.

“It’s the army,” she said without lifting her head.

Ba Gua at Qing Yang Temple

I sought solace in my next stop, Qing Yang Si, a Taoist temple. The walled area was much larger than I expected, with meticulously maintained gardens, pavilions, courtyards, and temples that contained numerous statues of Taoist immortals. The symbol of Ba Gua, the eight trigrams which was explained in I Ching, an ancient divinatory text, was mounted on the walls, carved into the concrete platforms, and even shaped on the bushes. Visitors burned incense and kowtowed on the cushions placed in front of the immortals. There was a sense of peace and reverence in the air. I lingered much longer here, examining the images of the deities that I had heard of in bits and pieces over the years.  

Jian Ping, author of Mulberry Child: A Memoir of China. Visit www.mulberrychild.com, www.moraquest.com for more information. Mulberry Child has been turned into a feature-length documentary film by award-winning director Susan Morgan Cooper and will be released in 2011.