Saturday, February 22, 2003

NIXON IN CHINA

A 31 year old headline and the name of an opera by John Adams. For people of my generation, the opening up of China in the 70s was epochal. China was, in many ways, yesterday’s North Korea – secretive, potentially dangerous and in the midst of a personality cult. China is still considered an exotic destination, but as I found out during a short visit to Beijing (en route to a more exotic capital - Ulaan Baatar), there's plenty of western influence already there.

hot milk takes over the world

China, of course, is a huge country with an equally huge population. Its economy is growing at a phenomenal pace and already its GDP is 12% of the world's total. But, of course, China was the home of one of the greatest and most innovative civilisations in history. Those first glimpses into China - I remember the pictures of Nixon arriving at Beijing airport - were not so long ago, but in many respects light years away.

:: Posted by pete @ 18:13