Many in the shipping industry see a sluggish year ahead for Chinese exports, a cornerstone for the nation's economy, despite other indications of growing demand for China's products.

WSJ: What's News

The things that define for the Chinese who they are and what China is are a product not of the past 100 years of calling itself a nation-state but 2, 000 years of being a civilisation-state.

BBC: A Point Of View: Making sense of China

To find out more about that I spoke to Liz Carter, a writer for the website Tea Leaf Nation, which follows and reports on activity in Chinese social media.

FORBES: More On China (and Europe and Samsung's) War With Apple

If the Mandarin-speaking Rudd's open attitudes to China (which, granted, come easier in a nation that sells so much to the Chinese) are instructive for America's protectionist social democrats, the new prime minister is in a position to serve not just his countrymen but globalization's cause.

FORBES: Magazine Article

For now, the path to Yes honors the rights of all Chinese people and celebrates the glories of China the nation.

FORBES: Getting to Yes