Lijia Zhang's Blog, page 24

Being quoted in this French article about the MeToo in China

https://www.letemps.ch/societe/metoo-chinois-inquiete-maitres-pekin

Malta

https://www.prints-online.com/queen-elizabeth-ii-duke-edinburgh-malta-1951-7193437.html

I didn’t realize that there is an interesting personal connection with Malta. Before leaving London, my ex told me that his maternal grandfather Ben Fisher served as Captain of the Mediterranean Fleet, based in Malta. For years, he had a suite at the luxurious Phoenicia, an art-deco hotel right by the City Gate of Valletta.
So yesterday afternoon, we went there for high tea. The lobby of the ‘grande dame’ was looking sparkly, with the lit-up Christmas tree, polished marble floor and paintings, and a piano was playing softly. It feels like the ‘kind of place Miss Marple might stay if she were in town’ as the Lonely Planet guide puts it.
In 1951, Princess Elizabeth (soon to be Queen Elizabeth) and Prince Philip descended here for a dance.
As we enjoyed our finger sandwiches and alluring selection of cakes, we talked about Captain Fisher and his daughter, my wonderful ex-mother-in-law. As a teenager, she spent several ‘magical summers’ in Malta and enjoyed a high life of an expat, dancing parties, cocktails and cruises.
Intrigued, my younger daughter searched on the internet. Remarkably and unbelievably, she found a reference to their great-grandfather. See the link. The report goes like this:

Princess Elizabeth attending a dance given at the Hotel Phoenician in Malta by the Naval Headquarters. A special feature was a cabaret by officers and here the Princess is smiling buying a hot dog from Captain Ben Fisher, dressed up as a chef.

I imagine that my mother-in-law would smile up in heaven, knowing that her two beautiful granddaughters have followed her footstep to Malta.

my commentary on the draft laws on women

https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3161231/china-cannot-achieve-gender-equality-while-excluding-women

Here’s my commentary on the draft laws on the protection of women. For those who are interested, do take a look at the Global Times piece. How ridiculous to think that the #MeToo movement is aimed at subverting the Chinese government!

Overseas Chinese feminists show support to Peng Shuai

https://gal-dem.com/peng-shuai-chinese-feminists/

I was interviewed for Jessie Lau’s piece.

Measure for measure and Peng Shuai

In the wake of the Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai’s alleged sexual assault by a vice premier, Shakespeare’s play Measure of Measure seems more poignant. As I sat in the Shakespeare Globe, watching this powerful show, I thought to myself: things have not changed much. For centuries, powerful men have preyed on vulnerable young women. I applaud Peng’s courage to speak out, even though she knew the serious consequences. She described her action was like ‘cracking eggs against a rock’. I do hope that the international society to ensure that Peng will have her freedom back and will be allowed to continue her inspiring career. I am doing my bit by talking to the media.

commenting on Peng Shuai case for NYT

I’ve been quoted in this NYT piece about the tennis player Peng Shuai. The journalist who interviewed me said to me apologetically that the editor had trimmed my quotation. In any case, I was happy to comment on a topic I feel passionate about.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/world/asia/china-peng-shuai-metoo.html

a wordy essay

For many years now, I’ve been writing and publishing articles. They are not always literary, or not as literary as I’d like them to be, or perhaps the formats are not suitable for wordy prose. Here’s my latest piece for the New European, about how learning English has changed my life and how downgrading it in China is unwise. As I wrote the piece, I had the pleasure to indulge myself in a process that the Chinese terms as 推敲，deliberating over ‘push’ or ‘knock’.

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/china-language-barrier/

My call to revive the death penalty debate

https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3153310/why-its-time-china-revive-debate-over-death-penalty

As the world has just celebrated World Day Against the Death Penalty, I published my opinion piece on the issue.
An English friend told me that even though it was outlawed in England in 1969, various surveys suggest that nearly half of the people still support it? Incredible!
Do let me know what’s the situation in your country regarding the death penalty. Thanks.

MeToo Movement four years on

Here’s a thoughtful piece looking at the current status of the #MeToo Movement, four years on. I am quoted here.

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/10/15/women-in-china-are-waiting-for-meaningful-metoo-reforms

a fun piece about braless movement in which I am quoted

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3152046/no-bra-day-reminder-women-celebrate-their-breasts-get