Commentary from the Web, Week 32, 2020

Pathfinder: Talking to Mark Brzezinski

“They say like father like son. That ancient wisdom at least could apply to this father and son duo - Zbigniew Brzezinski the father, and Mark Brzezinski the son. The father was councilor to the Lyndon Johnson administration, and national security advisor to President Jimmy Carter. He was instrumental in laying the foundation to the budding U.S.-China relationship. The son, Mark Brzezinski, a former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, inherited his father's fascination about the world. And he is most keen on the fate of U.S.-China relations. CGTN's Tian Wei spoke to Ambassador Brzezinski at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the very same guesthouse that hosted his father during those important visits to China many years ago.”

You will enjoy this Youtube interview by Tian Wei, on CGTN’s World Insight programme. Among the points Brzezinski makes is that China’s success is a great story for humanity. He compares the Chinese city of Chengdu, when he first visited more than 40 years ago, with dirt roads and few vehicles, with the modern tech hub which is Chengdu today. The interview was posted on August 4.

The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party

“The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the locus of political power in China. It includes the rulers of today and the leaders of tomorrow. This product currently contains bilingual biographical data for all committee members, as well as work histories and career overlaps for full committee members only. You can also filter or search for members based on demographic criteria. “MacroPolo’s analyses of Chinese politics can be found here. The Committee is a work in progress that will continue to be updated and have new features added over time.”

This is a very useful reference. Thanks to Rasheed Griffith.

Two videos on Reggae in China

Finding the Bob Marley of China

Meet Yunnan-based reggae band Kawa and their lead singer, Laohan, whom young fans look up to as their own Bob Marley. The video may be found here.

Thanks to Rasheed Griffith for this.

Finding reggae in Shanghai

A look inside China’s reggae scene with musician, Jado. The country’s connection with reggae dates back to the 19th century, when Chinese laborers were sent to Jamaica. The video may be found here.

Thanks to Roxanne Brancker for this.

 

 

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