This column offers a weekly digest of the latests pieces published on our website and our most recently completed translations. 

New texts published

The market is essentially a form of ethics – Mao Yushi

Economist Mao Yushi goes back to the basics, and explains what the market is at the core – a structure facilitating human collaboration.

Love and revolution (6) – Ye Fu

This sixth part in the family sage of Ye Fu’s uncle offers a reflection on the Chinese word ‘组织’, or organisation – and how it evolved from ancient times to the communist period.

In life, there are always unhappy moments – Shudong

Shudong offers personal, intimate testimonies from anonymous internet users. This piece shares the sad story of a pregnant woman discovering the many short-comings of her child’s father.

How should we read, how should we think? – Zheng Yefu

University teaches three things: how to read books, how to write essays, and how to think. This long piece details all three aspects, offering a wise perspective on the fundamental mission of higher education.

New translations completed

This week, we present two short, poetic texts by blogger Li Jingrui.

‘Spring time‘ offers a meditation on the passing of time – Spring comes and goes in Beijing, year after year, while feelings and human groups form and dissolve. Translation by Jacquie.

‘A sad song to the food market‘ recounts the changes in the author’s food-buying habits over the years, from the food markets of Beijing to Taobao delivery services. Translation by Eugenie Ho