Featured Articles

China seeks Muslims' help on AIDS

Sun, 11/12/2006 - 11:00

The story of Almijan, a gaunt 31-year-old former silk trader with nervous eyes, has all the markings of a public health nightmare. A longtime heroin addiction caused him to burn through $60,000 in life savings. Today, he says, all of his drug friends have AIDS and yet continue to share needles and to have sex with a range of women - their wives, prostitutes or, as he said, "whoever."

Pelosi-led House seen not rocking boat on China

Sun, 11/12/2006 - 11:00

A Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives led by frequent China critic Nancy Pelosi will intensify scrutiny of Chinese trade and human rights practices, but will stop short of confrontation, American and Chinese experts said

Xinjiang's battle against the desert

Thu, 11/09/2006 - 11:00

When the city of Korla rose from the Taklamakan Desert in mid-1950s, it was admired as a triumph of human willpower over adverse nature. Thousands of soldiers put the place on the map in China's far west Xinjiang region by digging 600 kilometers of channels to coax underground water to large collective farms.

Balkhash Lake Turning Into Another Aral?

Mon, 11/06/2006 - 11:00

Lake Balkhash, one of the largest inland bodies of water on Earth, is in danger of turning into an environmental death zone whose impact would be felt throughout Central Asia.

China asserts grip on key western province

Thu, 10/26/2006 - 12:00

Mullah Masude, 63, removes his shoes and gingerly navigates an expanse of carpeting in the Jaman mosque's main worship area before climbing a set of rickety steps to the roof.

Muslims feel the long arm of Beijing

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 12:00

In Xinjiang, which is of strategic importance to China, Uighurs try to maintain their culture despite strict oversight.

China's road to riches

Sat, 10/21/2006 - 12:00

Travelling Asia's ancient trade route lets you connect with a storied past and a vibrant present, writes Spencer Wynn

AMERICA'S ACUPUNCTURE POINTS

Thu, 10/19/2006 - 12:00

A noted Chinese theorist on modern warfare, Chang Mengxiong, compared China's form of fighting to "a Chinese boxer with a keen knowledge of vital body points who can bring an opponent to his knees with a minimum of movements". It is like key acupuncture points in ancient Chinese medicine.

Rabiya Kadeer and the Nobel Peace Prize

Tue, 10/17/2006 - 12:00

In 1998, I was eating laghman at a Uyghur ashkhana (eatery) in the Uyghur section of Urumqui. The owner, hearing that I spoke Uyghur, began to talk with me.

Discovering China's ancient ribbon of highway

Fri, 10/06/2006 - 12:00

From the ancient oasis towns of Central Asia, we retraced the epic journeys traveled along the Silk Road through desolate mountains and deserts, through busy bazaars and crumbling mud-brick towns.