Star power

2013-03-09 08:09:18

While the debate rages on whether a movie project should be director-oriented or producer-oriented, Chinese stars are becoming more dexterous in handling both sides of the camera. Some, like Xu Zheng, have taken on the role of the director, with great success, and more are appearing in the credits of the lower-profile but no less crucial producer.

Under the hammer

2013-03-08 07:33:36

A controversial clause in the draft of a new copyright law currently under consideration in China would ensure royalty payments for artists whose work is resold at auction. Potentially, it would also guarantee financial security for the families of deceased artists.

Earning air miles, but at a cost

2013-03-07 10:40:51

It's 11 pm and Tony To waits anxiously in the airport cargo area as he awaits the arrival of a crate containing his beloved three cats.

Feline fine!

2013-03-07 10:40:30

Showing off cats is an increasingly popular pursuit. A significant industry has built up around competitions.

Barking up the right tree

2013-03-05 08:09:43

While winter's trees await spring to show off their new attire of blossoms and leaves, Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province, has stolen a march on warmer weather by featuring pictures on its trees.

Morals vs Money

2013-03-05 08:09:43

Market principles should not be allowed to invade our civic, social and family lives, says Michael Sandel, a political philosopher and a professor at Harvard University's Department of Government.

Film guru points out way of the West

2013-03-04 07:52:09

Sid Ganis voted at and attended the 85th Academy Awards, and really enjoyed the three-and-a-half hour show.

Hollywood looks east

2013-03-04 07:52:09

Shanghai Calling. But nobody was answering.

Resistance to digital price tags

2013-03-04 13:24:51

Altierre, a digital tag and sensor maker based in San Jose, California, has raised more than $80 million from investors and spent 10 years developing the technology for digital tags and the wireless networks they require.

Keeping it in the family

2013-03-04 10:24:01

Separate accounts or joint account? We ask several couples how they balance the family books. Picking a partner for parenting, romance excluded

Make your mark

2013-03-01 09:18:07

The use of seals stretches back thousands of years in China and yet remains an integral part of modern society, used today by government, the banking industry and artists. There has even been a resurgence in the craft in recent times, along with a general rise of interest in history and traditional culture.

Party with 节

2013-03-01 09:18:07

The character 节 is, in a word, an instant party-attach it to the end of just about anything and you've got yourself a holiday. Tack it on to 劳动 (láodòng), or labor, and you've got 劳动节 (Láodòngjié), Labor Day; add it to 妇女 (fùnǚ), woman, and you've got 妇女节 (Fùnǚjié), Women's Day. Add it to spring, 春 (chūn), and you've got the biggest holiday of the year: 春节(Chūnjié), or Spring Festival. 节, in other words, has the power to transform the dead of winter into a raging, baijiu-fueled, firework-popping celebration.