The Real China

China had been invaded, conquered and ruled by foreign tribes many times over since the third century. However, at the end of the day, the invaders willingly assimilated into ethnic Chinese culture and, as a result, their territories became parts of China. Chinese territory and civilization grew further. How and why? From Desperation to Aspiration. How? The year was 1991 when I traveled to China and found myself dis­mayed by the quality of the roads near Xian, an ancient capital noted for its te