ThinkChina Regional Series
Culture
Hokkien roots, Brunei soil: My father’s journey across borders and spiritual planes [Eye on Fujian series]
From wandering between homes in Malaysia to setting roots in Brunei, one would never have thought that a young rebel with just a toy car to his name would live a life in service of the gods. ThinkChina’s Josephine Hong shares snippets of the life of her father, Richard Hong Kuan Yin.
Josephine Hong
Culture
When birthdays, funerals and feasts share a dish: A Fujian food story [Eye on Fujian series]
Oyster pancake, all forms of pastries called ge (guo 粿), go (gao 糕) and bnia (bing 饼), one-of-a-kind braised noodles, red rice wine chicken and even pork double-boiled in urine — from his findings in Yongchun county and other studies, anthropology professor Tan Chee-Beng shares his knowledge about the wonders of eastern and southern Fujian cuisines.
Tan Chee-Beng
History
[Photos] A tale of two homelands: Fujian and Taiwan [Eye on Fujian series]
Fujian, a historic maritime gateway and strategic frontier in China, has played a defining role in China’s past. Taiwanese historic photo collector Hsu Chung-mao takes us on a pictorial journey that explores the rich history and culture of his ancestral homeland, while reflecting on his personal ties to the region.
Hsu Chung-mao
Culture
[Photos] Gulangyu: Where Lim Bo Seng studied and Hokkien tycoons built their dreams [Eye on Fujian series]
Gulangyu, a UNESCO-listed island off Xiamen, was once a haven for Hokkien tycoons from Southeast Asia. Housing gems from Lim Bo Seng’s abode in student days to grand mansions, it reflects a rich, transregional past. NUS architecture professor Chen Yu takes us through the mesmerising vistas of Gulangyu.
Chen Yu
Society
Xiamen: The city that gives residents a score and rewards good behaviour [Eye on Fujian series]
The familiar Minnan saying that harmony brings prosperity, is given a distinctly modern take in Xiamen’s Bailu Score (白鹭分), or “White Egret Score”. This is a personal credit score developed under the Xiamen municipal government which turns trust into usable currency in daily urban life. Economics professor Cai Xiqian explains.
Cai Xiqian
Economy
Will Fujian ever surpass Taiwan in GDP and income? [Eye on Fujian series]
For many years, Fujian’s development narrative included an ambitious goal: to surpass Taiwan in GDP first and per capita income later. Slower growth and Taiwan’s tech edge make that increasingly challenging. EAI senior research fellow Bo Chen explains Fujian’s rise and its challenges.
Bo Chen
Society
Fujian merchants: Fearless for gain, faithful for clan [Eye on Fujian series]
Fujian merchants have long been known for their adventurous mercantile spirit, leading to many success stories in business over the course of history and today. Academic Lin Feng takes a look at how this all began and how their distinct characteristics have shaped what we see of Fujian communities today.
Lin Feng
Culture
Glass towers, German villas and the ghosts of empire: This is Qingdao [Eye on Shandong series]
Once a German colony and now a vibrant Chinese coastal city, Qingdao blends red-roofed European villas with gleaming skyscrapers. Despite its rich history, stunning seascapes and iconic beer, it remains curiously overlooked by foreign visitors. Kennie Ting, author of The Great Port Cities of Asia: In History, gives us the highlights.
Kennie Ting
Society
If you grew up by Yantai’s seaside, you would never want to leave [Eye on Shandong series]
For Meilin, a native of Shandong, childhood is filled with salty breezes — days spent exploring the shore and fields, and taking part in ganhai (赶海), where the sea reveals its treasures at low tide.
Wu Meilin
Culture
Tsingtao beer is reinventing itself for a new generation [Eye on Shandong series]
Amid Qingdao’s quaint streets brimming with history and heritage, Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. is taking the city’s proud beverage, Tsingtao beer, to greater heights. Distinguished Professor of Shandong University Edmund Li Sheng tells us more.
Edmund Li Sheng