Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

voices-&-opinion

Chinese Buddhists Don’t Eat Meat. Can They Convince Others to Do the Same?

A monastery in southwest China is trying to return Buddhism to its rightful place at the vegetarian table.

Liu Shuman

Is There a Right Way to Make Chinese Opera?

With countless adaptations, “The Peony Pavilion” is China’s answer to “Swan Lake.” But recent attempts to return the show to its roots continue to miss the mark.

Guo Chenzi

How Ming China Fell in Love With Spice

The explorer Zheng He helped popularize spices in China, but it was the private trade — both illicit and state-sanctioned — that drove their spread.

Yan Xiaoqing

The Fruits of Trade

Imported fruits have reshaped the Chinese market over the past 20 years.

Huang Xianhua

Is China Drifting Toward a ‘Singles Society’?

Experts worried about a rise in singledom are missing a key part of the puzzle.

Zheng Yexin

Taking Stock of Love and Losses in the ‘World’s Supermarket’

Transnational marriages can be an asset in a place like Yiwu, a major global trading hub. But if they break down, it's often the wives who pay the price.

Wen Meizhen

The ‘Real’ Kung Pao Chicken — And Why I Hope I Never Find It

From the top of Mount Tai to the Hulunbuir grasslands, there are many versions of the iconic dish. Searching for the definitive “authentic” version may not only be a fool’s errand — it also fails to appreciate this diversity.

Thomas DuBois

Rediscovering Tradition in Pu’er Country

Jingmai Mountain’s successful UNESCO World Heritage application offers a counterpoint to those who argue that development must come at the expense of the natural environment.

Miao Yun

Can China Rediscover Its Love of Baseball?

The country used to be crazy for baseball. Can a shocking upset rekindle that passion?

Sha Qingqing

How Wenzhou Became a Trading Hub

New discoveries are shedding light on the history of China’s most business-minded city.