Right now as the non-Chinese world focuses on China and the Shanghai Expo, and as the myriad of excited foreigners prepare to step into a fantasy world of glitz and glamour, hype and smiling faces, one should be aware that there is for those of us who live and work in China, something more tangible and lasting than this expo.

For many of us, the excitement of living in China centers on the back streets; the daily life and struggles of the Chinese people. Sometimes, that struggle to survive is not just their struggle, but ours as well.

I have lived in China for 7 years, the last 10 months of it in Baotou Inner Mongolia.

During this time, I have witnessed, known and enjoyed one side of the Chinese experience; the immeasurable lovingness, consideration, help and friendship of Chinese people. But as there is no 'ying' without the 'yang'; no light without the darkness, and no good without the bad, I have also suffered and anguished under the diametrically opposite side of the Chinese experience; the manipulative, controlling, malicious and vicious heart of those who would oppress the Chinese people.

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