The work of Confucius is a political tool for China's one-party state. But ancient Chinese thought can still jolt the modern world towards fresh awareness.
The architect of China's literacy revolution maintained an open-minded curiosity well into his second century.
Twenty years ago, a bookseller was turned into a living ghost. Amid the great changes shaking China, America, Britain, and the world, he still matters.
The bright national vision promoted by China's ruling party has a dramatic twist.
An evolving, complex universalism makes western discourse obsolete but also creates new challenges. We are all 'other' now.
The life of a great writer, translator and intellectual encapsulates the story of modern China.
China's communist party awaits a steer on its next leadership transition. But might the current president have other plans?
Beijing's anti-corruption drive spells icy fear for many officials. Could this form of power yet become an unlikely agent of reform?
It will soon be clear whether China's paramount leader cares more for baubles or, like the great Roman emperor, long-term achievements.
Xi Jinping's statecraft is influenced above all by an ancient, though lesser known, Chinese proponent of austere power-politics.
Beijing leaders' attachment to central planning serves their underlying philosophy. But what happens if their core vision is ever realised?
There is more talk than ever about China and the world - but also less listening. A serious upgrade of language and ideas is needed.
