Netpop's business and travels through China continue at a steady pace. Josh Crandall and Cate Riegner had great meetings in Shanghai with clients and friends from Google, Tencent and Silicon Valley Bank. The room was full for Netpop's breakfast presentation at the American Chamber of Commerce, with favorable comments and photos posted on Sina Weibo later that day.

Escaping the commotion and (inescapable) pollution of Shanghai, we spent 4 days amid Daoist temples and philosophy in the beautiful Wudangshan Mountains of Hubei province. Cate fulfilled a long time dream of studying tai chi.

Xian came and went too quickly, but we had some memorable moments in the Muslim Quarter and visiting the legendary Terracotta Warriers. A night train to Beijing (soft sleeper) at the end of the week was surprisingly comfortable and fun.

Now in Bejing for two final weeks of our month-long visit. More spacious and historic than Shanghai, we could easily stay another month. We have had some great meetings with more clients and friends from Google Beijing, Funlon.com, Guokr.com and more, plus a wonderful dinner with Donna Li and the Renren marketing team.

Joshua Ramo's "Beijing Consensus" has been a good read, helping us understand the geo-political background on China. Throughout our trip, many thoughtful conversations on privacy and government control have provided greater insight into the complexity and challenges for policy makers and marketers alike. The perspectives of Kaiser Kuo on the Red Guards and Red Necks captures the history and social, cultural and political complexities well.