'If the Chinese have shown cynical duplicity towards Hong Kong's democrats, the British have been guilty of self-delusion'

China is in the grip of a piano passion, with superstar rivals and millions playing at home

'One student identified himself as working class and a member of the Communist Party. I was, however, surprised to see a copy of Roger Scruton’s Meaning of Conservatism bulging out of his satchel'

‘When I asked my winsome Han tour guide what would happen when the skyscrapers collapsed, she said with cheerful gusto, “We’ll build them again!”’