It's really rubbish that some kind of "technical" learning means you will be a better person because you know this skill better.

At the moment about 350,000 students return to China from abroad each year - 350,000 young and educated people. I know about them because they know me and often ask me in the street if they can take a selfie with me. These folks are creative and ironic, and the government can ultimately not control what is going on in their heads.

The Internet is the best thing that ever happened to China. It turns us into individuals and also enables us to share our perceptions and feelings. It creates a culture of individualism and exchange even though the real society doesn't promote it. There isn't a single Chinese university that can invite me to give a talk. Even though I know there are many students who would like to hear what I have to say.

Recently I danced in a video spoof of the song 'Gangnam Style,' and it was quickly banned across multiple Chinese online video platforms. But the story still traveled all over the world, carried in hundreds of international media reports.

I think optimism is whether you are still exhilarated by life, whether you are curious, whether you still believe there is possibility.

My understanding of Chinese history is limited. So far, I have only scratched its surface; I wish I could find out more.

I don't think there is a distinct change, because in the West I'm not a person who can serve his purpose.