China is completely lacking in self-awareness and as someone who has stepped outside that society, I have a responsibility to write about it as I see it.

The literal meaning of the Chinese characters for revolution is elimination of life

China is completely lacking in self-awareness and as someone who has stepped outside that society, I have a responsibility to write about it as I see it.

The Beijing Olympics represent China's grand entrance onto the world stage and confirmation of its new superpower status.

Everything I was I carry with me, everything I will belies waiting on the road ahead.

I meant that the Chinese people are not aware of their own entrapment. They believe they live in a free society, but don't realize how much they are being monitored and controlled, how much the information they receive is restricted and warped, until they step out of line, that is, and feel the heavy hand of the state fall on them.

My hope is that the Chinese government will come to realise that it is futile to repress free speech, and that contrary to what they believe a regime's strength rests not its suppression of a plurality of opinions and ideas, but in its capacity and willingness to encourage them.