The Songstone

A lockdown doesn't last for long - here in China, life resumes. Enjoy the clean air while you can Free from engines, noise, and fumes

The ship swoops down, down she comes, a diamond in the dawn, from seven billion chooses One and into her he's drawn   The world waits still, all in hush That diamond croons above, flashing woozy with a sun that all who saw would love   A trillion trickling chimes atone for crimes to land and sea and everywhere you lift your heads will dance in ecstasy

Look at em, Prof. Yvonne n Joe, thought they could come out here, make a bit of cash, and swan off back 'ome. Now they know the world's riskier than they thought. Bad luck, Prof. n Joe.  But please HMG, get us out. Pfft. In the Arab Spring I was in Qatar and any day could've led to a sword-wielding maniac or stoning. Now I'm Far East and any day could lead to disease or blame for disease (yeah, the rumour's the wicked foreigners caused this). We take our chances here. Expecting others to think or care about us, let alone spend money on us, is really feeble, but then what can one expect of academic women and pasty-faced 'men'?

The Phoenician is always vulnerable, though. Very soon after he was in the box (red) with this position. We all redoubled and he took without hesitation. Mint and I propped that and he accepted over 20 games! A good New Year indeed!

The Ministry of Education has announced that in future teaching materials must 'insist on the guiding principles that reflect the Chinese style'. 'All primary and secondary school materials must reflect the will of the party and the country' in order that students (the flower of the country) may 'bear the great responsibility of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation'.