Articles By: Lara Berendt

Organic Food is a Luxury in Shanghai

Organic Food is a Luxury in Shanghai

Throughout this sprawling cosmopolitan city, Jiashan Market and similar projects have arisen to meet a demand for healthy, sustainably produced foods, and a growing desire among Shanghai’s wealthy elite to adopt more environmentally conscious lifestyles.

Youth Miffed Over Muzzled Microblogs

Youth Miffed Over Muzzled Microblogs

Twitter might limit social media users to 140 characters, but microbloggers in China face a different order of restriction. Sina Weibo—China’s most popular microblogging platform—functions similarly to Twitter in terms of post-length limitations, but it is also subject to the censorship rules of the Chinese government.

Villagers Shift Away From Subsistence Farming

Villagers Shift Away From Subsistence Farming

As middle- and upper-class Americans increasingly seek out organic, local and sustainably produced foods, the prosperous villagers of Xiejiaqiao outside the Chinese city of Hangzhou are eagerly abandoning the hard labor and time commitment of subsistence farming for a market-based food system.

Chinese Youth Leaving Tea Culture in Past

Chinese Youth Leaving Tea Culture in Past

Inside a tiny tea shop in central Beijing, Ye Huabin rinsed oolong tea leaves with boiling water before brewing the first pot of pale golden liquid, while speaking animatedly about the importance of the Chinese tea ritual.

China’s Burgeoning Wine Culture

China’s Burgeoning Wine Culture

Within the narrow alleys of Beijing’s historic Mao’er neighborhood, a wine bar with chic, minimalistic décor stands out amid gray stone facades. Wine 26 Twin Anchor is the second venture from 30-year-old Wang Ye Qing, who is part of a new generation of Chinese wine entrepreneurs offering a new taste to China.

Austinites Looking to Adopt Explore China Option

Austinites Looking to Adopt Explore China Option

The Chinese government’s labyrinthine international adoption procedures, involving elaborate paperwork and hefty fees, have led an increasing number of Austin couples to explore a relatively new option for growing their families from China – adopting a child with special needs.