As we bid 2018 farewell, I’m taking a look back over the past year by sharing the best pics from my photo essays as well as posts on the blog.
Before we get to those photos, let’s review the top five posts on Speaking of China by views:
#5: “She Liked Having Threesomes”: Chinese Men Open up About Dating Foreign Women on Vice.cn. This past summer, I ran a four-part series of English translations of a Chinese-language article where Chinese men opened up about dating foreign women on Vice.cn. And this first installment got a lot of people talking. But don’t miss the second, third and fourth pieces as well, all worth a read!
#4: 11 Critically Acclaimed AMWF Movies Worth Watching. 2017 saw the release of two critically acclaimed movies that happened to feature an AMWF (Asian Male, White Female) pairing – The Big Sick and Columbus. That inspired me to compile an entire post reviewing the many great art house and independent films over time that have opened to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, and included AMWF couples in the story.
#3: Chinese Men Can’t Date White European or American Women? Chinese Overseas Students Weigh In. In early summer, my husband happened to share a post from Chinese overseas students sharing their thoughts on an issue I’ve pondered here on the blog previously. I translated that Chinese-language article into English, adding some of my own analysis.
#2: Guest Post: I Got Divorced in China, and What Happened in My Marriage Is More Common Than You Realize. This post from guest author Alex, who shares some of her divorce story, pulls back the curtain on a common issue for marriages in China.
#1: Olympic Speedskater Shaolin Sandor Liu Has a Cool China Connection Beyond His Chinese Father. The 2018 Winter Olympics also introduced audiences around the world to a rising star in speedskating – Shaolin Sandor Liu. And this post, detailing his fascinating connection to China, has become a favorite during a year that saw Liu clinch a gold medal, the first-ever for Hungary, in the 5,000 meter speedskating relay.
Now, I’d like to share a sampling of some photos shared throughout the year in photo essays.
Jun and I started the year off by walking the Great Wall. Just before Chinese New Year, we visited Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. In late February, we admired the ancient Buddhist wonder of the Cloud Ridge Grottoes in Datong. As spring approached, Jun and I marveled in the beautiful spring flowers that blossomed in the parks. With summer came a rainbow of roses in the garden near our residential building. In the fall, we delighted in gorgeous foliage while walking beside the Badaling Great Wall. We also made an autumn visit to Xiangshan park, where the trees dazzled us in shades of red, orange and yellow. In November, I was a featured speaker at a conference marking the fifth anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In December, I also made a speech, sharing my personal experience with marriage reform, at an event organized by China Daily.
Wishing all of you a Happy New Year, wherever you are in the world!