Better safe than sorry：Zhou did not start with a fashion agenda. He just happened to appear in a couple of snapshots, which were later posted online. Blown up were a Vacheron Constantin watch that retails at the least for 100,000 yuan

The story of China Incorporated：Twenty-five years ago, Megatrends was a must-read for any Chinese who was keen to know about the world - not just the world as it was, but the world that would be.

Cashing in on culture：A venture he invested in eight years ago is set to be listed on the Shenzhen bourse. The 2.4 million yuan ($146,400) he put up then is expected to be worth at least 60 million yuan when the company goes public.

In defense of pajamas：Shanghai is cracking down on its most tenacious fashion trend. In preparation for the 2010 World Expo, the municipal government has launched a campaign to eradicate running red lights and wearing pajamas in public.

At different times, China and US both buoyant and refined：Constant comparison is a regular activity for new expatriates. One is awed by the other country's comparative advantages, and one has acute awareness of where his

Obama Drama：A presidential visit is always taken so seriously in China that nothing is left to chance. But nobody could have scripted the most memorable moment of United States President Barack Obama's visit early this week.

Saintly sinner of Shaolin temple：First, hackers splashed the slogan: "Die, Shi Yongxin, you evil rebel of Shaolin Temple!" on the website. Then it was replaced with a "letter of contrition", supposedly from Abbot Shi, complete with a photo.

My pen pal Han Han：I happened to come across Time Asia's recent profile of you. And I read your response in Youth Weekend. I empathize with you. You may have found a way to shake off the shackles you were born with,

Original pirate material：Guangdong province, of which Guangzhou is the capital, is often bypassed when visitors look for culture. It is connected to Shenzhen and Hong Kong and is known as "the world's factory floor",

Digital Robin Hoods?：EMule is the name for a software program that facilitates peer-to-peer download and plays a key role in online piracy. [Luo Jie/China Daily]

Reader beware ...：To those who believe the Internet is the most vibrant democracy of all, the following news may come as a rude awakening. In China there is a cottage industry that pays people to act as if they are the voices of the public.

The fourth dimension：There are layers of meanings to the best films, novels and plays, and we find our own points of significance in these works by cultural "re-imagining".

Just in jest：An American friend of mine once had a vigorous argument with me over what was important to learn in the United States. My feeling was that appreciating fast food was an entre to American culture.

Mixed messages：There are differences, though. In China, it is part of a broader campaign to eradicate sexual content from all digital distribution channels. In the US, the focus is on teenagers who send photos of their private parts

An elderly woman with two large pots：An elderly woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole that she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered