Few columnists really get China – one who does is Nicholas D. Kristof of NY Times. In a couple of recent opinion pieces he has covered the apparent contradiction between the hysterical paranoia of the party elite and the almost miraculous speed of progress and development that is evident on the ground.

We’ve had a fantastic spring in Beijing. The weather has been sunny and nice, and mostly we’ve been blessed with clear blue sky as well. Mainly due to favorable wind conditions of course, but still a big contrast to the dominant media narrative which sometimes leaves me wondering how we actually survive. I mean, I even drink Chinese milk - I guess that must make me covertly suicidal?

Refreshingly then to get some facts on the table – Shanghai is now performing on par or better than US on key development indicators like life expectancy and infant mortality. The times they certainly are a changin’…