East Asian History Web and Printed Resources

East Asian History is a well selected group of links to major internet resources on China, Japan, and Korea put up by the Program in Social Studies and Global Education, The Ohio State University in 2003.

Although it does not seem to have been modified since then, the site is useful because there are not too many sources, not too few -- just right. The most useful sites are marked with "Favorite.

China Digital Times

China Digital Times Describes itself as "collaborative news website covering China’s social and political transition and its emerging role in the world. We aim to aggregate the most up-to-the-minute news and analysis about China from around the Web, while providing independent reporting, translations from Chinese cyberspace, and perspectives from across the geographical, political and social spectrum."

In plain language: "a great way to keep track of what's up in China."

Reports are tagged, so that you can easily search and find articles on practically any subject you want, including political reform, environmental crisis, the Olympics (major coverage), Christianity, one child policy... well, you name it.

There is a CDT Slideshows, Photos (both downloadable), Cartoons, Satire, and reviews in the CDT Bookshelf,

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Minneapolis Institute of Arts website Arts of Asia is extensive but not overwhelming in presenting Chinese history with an emphasis on art and culture. The art works are explained and background given, though there is probably more pottery than most students would want.

There are excellent sections of History and Maps for China, Japan, and Korea showing historical development.

The section on Buddhism is especially well done.

Additional Resources includes Teaching the Arts, Further Reading, and Glossary.

Highly recommended to those with an interest in art.

http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/introduction/

Chinese Fable Stories in English

Although intended for beginning English readers (pre-school), this series of online reader uses flash technology to incorporate basic animation with story telling. It's a great beginning to learning about Chinese stories and fables.

http://www.starfall.com/n/level-c/chinese-fables/load.htm?f

The China Beat

A brave new blog: The China Beat, which in its own words "examines media coverage of China, providing context and criticism from China scholars and writers." The first couple of posts show what they're up to: "Five Good Short Books on China," "After the Avalanche," (on the Taiwan elections), and "Anniversaries: The Rise and Fall of Wang Mang" (a controversial figure who usurped the throne 2,000 years ago.)

There you have it: history, items snatched from the headlines, and advice on what to read. What's not to like?

Anniversary of Zhou Enlai's Death

Several bloggers wrote about Zhou on January 8. Jottings from the Granite Studio has a superb piece, This Date in History with excellent illustrations. My own piece, Zhou Enlai and the Chinese Omelette (posted on Frog in a Well) adds some more stories and observations.

China Digital Times Photos

Slide show of photos from China today:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/chinadigitaltimes/interesting/show/