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Editor's Note Editor's Note 2006 'Arts from Our Land' Competition Nine Most Talked-About Words in 2007 Editor's Note

Editor's Note

The mind boggles when one considers what is about to happen to the ancient wonder of the world that is Beijing.

One can sense among the people working directly to organize the 2008 Olympic Games a kind of “calm before the storm,” an anticipation that something outstanding, astonishing or even scary, is about to happen, yet it’s the anticipation of people who have been trained, who have tried to consider all the possibilities and opportunities that lie in wait and who are ready to take on the challenges of staging a Games with the whole world looking on—and likely second-guessing every single thing they do.

Of course, we wish them all the best in their work.

The turn of the year is a time of reflection in many places around the world; so the BTM staff has compiled a list of “hot” things that took place in Beijing in 2007 related to the Olympics, life in general, dining, nightlife, shopping, music and books. There’s bound to be something in this “Cover Story” that will peak your interest. Start exploring on page 12.

Who among expatriates in China can claim to have seen as much of China first hand as our own Ed Jocelyn? In addition to walking the walk of Chairman Mao and the Red First Front Army, Jocelyn and his fellow New Long Marchers have also traced the steps of other elements of the revolutionary forces, who moved from South China to North China in the mid-to-late 1930s, wandering the snowy mountains and passes and crossing the treacherous streams of Southwest China along the way.

So when Ed says there’s a place you need to see in Sichuan Province, a place that may soon lose its innocent beauty, something so treasured by trekkers, it bears a listen. See Jocelyn’s story about Cuopu Valley, beginning on page 26.

As usual in a booming Beijing, there’s more going on than we could get to; yet, with our stories about Beijing's scintillating art world, fine dining and entertainment options, we’ve tried our best to help you get started on your own exploration of this fascinating city. The wintertime is a great time to be in Beijing, especially with the Spring Festival on its way.

Happy New Year to all of you.