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Letter from the Editor

We don't mind admitting that some editorial staff groaned when,last month,we sat down to figure out how best to find a successful formula for presenting a feasible Children's Special in this issue."Anything but kids..."muttered one confirmed bachelor,content to remain as a mere uncle to his brother's brood of five."They never cooperate,and should be locked away until they are presentable to society."

A bit extreme,granted,so to a degree we quietly set out to prove to him and by extension any doubters among you that far from all tots and'teens are a cross between Dennis the Menace and Attila the Hun.And you know what?Our dissenting colleague totally changed his tune after talking to a bunch of under-10s who generously insisted on sharing their bag of French fries with him.We hope you derive as much pleasure from our Kids Koverage as did he ultimately.

Also for your consumption are detailed round-ups of local places more than worth visiting(with or without children)during these summer days,plenty of news-briefs on governmental and other goings-on in Beijing,an early glimpse of a startlingly"different"American artist soon to visit the city,educational updates including a method of rapidly learning English a selection of pre-teen fashion,relevant listings galore and a good deal else.Oh,and do have a go at our monthly snapshot competition.Send us your best,and you could end up making a Marco Polo Hotel meal of it...

Of special pleasure to us is our coverage of a Beijing school dedicated to being a comprehensive safety net to mentally and physicaly dis-advantaged adults as well as children who lack a positive and fulfilling"tomorrow"through no fault of their own.Wholly dipendent on donations and in large measure voluntary help,the school(like its sister in Guangdong)performs sterling work in providing such unfortunates with that crucial yet elusive human state called hope.

Beijing's Chinese and foreign donors are well known for generously digging deep to help those who so bravely(and uncomplainingly)strive to help themselves.In this instance it's not necessarily all about money.Various items are needed to keep things running,a list of which can be found on page 44.

Enjoy your summer break!

Li Mingxia