Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Francois Bougon

Creator

Francois Bougon

Guest Author

Media taboos linger in China, but journalists push envelope

On the eve of reform, China’s regimented media relied on daily slogans, but 30 years on journalists are pushing the envelope.

Home away from home for Olympic tourists

During the Olympic Games Gao Benxu hopes to brush up his English by opening up his apartment to a family visiting from abroad.

China appoints Africa envoy to focus on Darfur

China has appointed a seasoned diplomat as its special Africa envoy, with a brief to focus on Darfur, the government said on Thursday, amid growing criticism of Beijing’s role in…

Black gold for some is black death for others

Coal may be Shanxi’s black gold, but it is the peasants of this north Chinese province who have to live with the consequences as their homes sink, water supplies dwindle and…

No diet for Kim Jong-Il despite ban on luxuries

A gourmet with a taste for the good life, North Korea’s reclusive leader Kim Jong-Il will continue to enjoy his favourite French wines and foreign delicacies despite a United…

Tourism threatens the jewel of Tibet

Forty years ago during the Cultural Revolution, it took an edict from China’s then premier Zhou Enlai to protect the Potala Palace from the destruction of the infamous Red…

Railway poses new dangers to fragile Tibetan plateau

While China is keen to stress the environmentally friendly aspects of the new railway to Tibet, many are concerned about the line’s impact on the Himalayan region’s fragile…

Chinese skiers hit the slopes

Ski season opened in China about a month ago, with skiers and snowboarders flocking to about a dozen stations on the weekends for a few days of carefree careening down the slopes…