Over the past month, Chinese activists have been served a grim reminder that Beijing has yet to understand the value of civil society.

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Following your editorial ("The Vatican's deal with the devil," Dec. 25, page 8) the question is raised: Is the Vatican really dealing with the devil? Or are we still caught in our own mist?

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The recent uproar from Aboriginal groups directed at Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) over his remarks about Aborigines has raised a very important issue. The issue is directly related to the statement that the "Taiwanese are not Chinese."

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By Josephine Ho 何春蕤
A UNIVERSITY STUDENT was recently prosecuted for criminal intent for an online posting that jokingly expressed the desire to be "kept." According to the law prohibiting sexual transaction with minors (兒童及青少年性交易防治條例), any Web message that hints at sexual transaction with minors is subject to prosecution with sentences up to five years in jail. Though in this case the prosecutor eventually dropped the charge, the student suffered through a painful ordeal that left a mark on his criminal record.

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By Vincent Rollet
CHINA CONSIDERS this a "fruitful" year in terms of diplomacy, not least because, as the China Daily put it on Thursday, it "defeated Taiwan's attempt to join the WHO for the eleventh time."

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Ordinary Laotians have benefited enormously from cheap Chinese electrical goods and motorcycles, though there remains a sting in the tail
By Thomas Fuller
The pineapples that grow on the steep hills above the Mekong River are especially sweet, the red and orange chilies unusually spicy, and the spring onions and watercress retain the freshness of the mountain dew.

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By Bobbie Johnson
For many in the dotcom world, 2007 was dominated by one story: the rise of Facebook. The success of the social networking service has increased optimism about the Internet industry. After all, if Microsoft is prepared to buy a 1.6 percent share for US$240 million, there is evidence that good ideas can be worth a lot of money. It is no surprise then that investors are looking for the next big thing -- and these are some possible contenders.

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Dieticians say most people can get the nutrients they need from developing a balanced diet, while large doses of some vitamins can do more harm than good
By Alice Wignall
It is something of a mystery how Hilary Swank has managed to find the time to forge a Hollywood career and win two Oscars, not to mention fitting in the more everyday business of popping out to the shops or taking her dog for a walk, given the amount of time she must devote to her extensive pill-taking regime.

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