china, one-child policy, second child

Why Are Most Couples Reluctant to Have a Second Child in China?

After three decades of a policy that limited most families in China to one child, the most significant overhaul of its family planning rules in over 35 years is not going as planned. Instead of welcoming the news, many families in China have said that one is enough, with many citing the rising cost of living ...

Nspirement Staff

A Chinese mother and baby.

Giving the Gift of Character to Children

The most important subjects children can learn aren’t graded. Those lessons are in strong character and moral values, yet we seldom receive instruction. Here are some of the best gifts to help introduce those great lessons and build character in your children. Developing companionship For children, the warmest love comes from the companionship of parents. ...

Raven Montmorency

housewife

Xuyun, the Most Eminent Monk in Modern China

The life of Xuyun, the most eminent monk in modern China, is a legendary tale. He lived through five emperors of the Qing Dynasty and witnessed a century of upheaval and monumental changes caused by war in China.  At the age of 112, Xuyun was severely beaten several times but miraculously survived and recovered, shocking ...

Tatiana Denning

A brown leaf on a twig.

Why Germany’s Parliamentary Visit to Taiwan Hit a Nerve in Beijing

One does not just symbolically show support for Taiwan without the risk of antagonizing China. Or, more specifically, infuriating Beijing like Germany’s Parliamentary visit to Taiwan did recently, when a delegation of 6 German lawmakers met with Taiwan’s President Tsai-Ing Wen on Monday, October 3.   The group from Germany arrived the day before and planned ...

Hermann Rohr

German lawmaker's delegation with Tsai Ing-wen.

The Great Russian Author, Tolstoy Takes a Chinese Philosopher as His Mentor

Everyone in the literary and nonacademic world is familiar with Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910), usually referred to as Leo Tolstoy. He is affectionately known throughout the world simply as Tolstoy. The Russian author Tolstoy is considered one of the world’s greatest novelists. Gorky, another Russian writer, once said: “It is impossible to know Russia without ...

Michael Segarty

Leo Tolstoy.

Zhuo Wenjun, the Woman Who Got Her Man Back With the Beauty of Poems

The poems by Zhuo Wenjun to her husband Sima Xiangru are legendary in Chinese history. Zhuo Wenjun, the daughter of an iron tycoon in the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 25), is one of the best-known tales. Her story was recorded in both Shi Ji (Historical Records) by Sima Qian in the Western Han Dynasty ...

Helen London

A pink lotus flower.