The Change Dynasty

The Change Dynasty is English-language nomenclature referring to the first decade of the new millennium (2000-2010) in China, which was the nation’s most rapid period of progress and development in 5,000 years of history.

The term is a homage to dynastic imperial eras, i.e. Qing Dynasty, but is not derived from the name of any ruling class, but rather from the dramatic modernization and hyper urbanization that occurred throughout China after the new millennium, reaching its zenith in 2008 before finally slowing down again.

The term "Change Dynasty" is a neologism directly attributable to, and first seen in print in, the book CHINA: Portrait of a People (Tom Carter, 2008), which features in part a series of contrasting photographs of ancient tenements juxtaposed against modern steel-and-glass skyscrapers.

China is currently undergoing one of the most rapid transitions in its long history - The Change Dynasty. Do we embrace advancement or weep for time immemorial?

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Pink Light District

Pink-Light District is English-language nomenclature referring to brothels fronting as hair salons in China. The term derives from Red-Light District but is specific to the P.R.C., as Chinese brothels are identifiable nationwide by the transparent-pink film that typically covers hair salon sliding glass doors. Such hair salons usually operate in small clusters, hence forming a "district." The term "Pink Light District" is a neologism directly attributable to, and first seen in print in, the book CHINA: Portrait of a People (Tom Carter, 2008), which features in part a series of revelational photographs of various pink-light districts across China, the first published book ever to do so. The term is not, however, commonly used by the Chinese themselves.

Thousands of suspected prostitutes were arrested last weekend during a city-wide police sting of Beijing's notorious pink light district.

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