Cui Jian's music blends western rock n' roll influences with more traditional Chinese sounds. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Cui Jian one of the first Chinese musicians to bring rock 'n roll to China during the 1980s Cui's songs challenged conventional Chinese ideas and attitudes Inspired by western acts such as Bob Dylan on tapes he bought from foreign friends Students adopted song "Nothing to my Name" as their anthem during Tiananmen protests Editor's note: "Jaime's China" is a weekly column about Chinese society and politics. Jaime FlorCruz has lived and worked in China since 1971. He studied Chinese history at Peking University (1977-81) and was TIME Magazine's Beijing correspondent and bureau chief (1982-2000). Beijing (CNN) -- Cui Jian burst onto the music scene in China 26 years ... Continue reading →

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng leaves the U.S. embassy Wednesday for medical treatment at a Beijing hospital. STORY HIGHLIGHTS Many ordinary Chinese have been in the dark about Chen Guangcheng's dramatic escape The blind activist had escaped house arrest and sought refuge in the U.S. embassy in Beijing Xinhua: China seeking U.S. apology for giving refuge to a Chinese citizen "via abnormal means" Analysts say both sides may seek a compromise solution that could lead to Chen leaving for the U.S. Editor's note: "Jaime's China" is a weekly column about Chinese society and politics. Jaime FlorCruz has lived and worked in China since 1971. He studied Chinese history at Peking University (1977-81) and was TIME Magazine's Beijing correspondent and bureau chief (1982-2000). Beijing (CNN) -- "Very ... Continue reading →

Transit hotels: How to get to sleep during your stopoverGone are the days of curling up on a bench and splashing around in the airport sink Continue reading →

Despite not bringing in big tourist numbers, however, Manila is one of the most vibrant cities in the region. The people, soul, camaraderie and fiesta attitude are all part of the best of Manila charm. Where else in the world can you sing karaoke in an air-conditioned jeepney, cocktail in hand, while weaving in and out of city streets? To help you find the best of Manila, here's a quick guide to the city's highlights. More on CNNGo: How to be a Manila local: 10 tips for faking it Hotels Luxury Makati Shangri-La If you think understated elegance is overrated, Makati Shangri-La will change your mind. Manila's top business travelers and politicians come to play at the Makati Shangri-La. Local heavyweights are often spotted buzzing ... Continue reading →

Part of complete coverage on Ballerinas hoping to dance their way out of poverty By Pamela Boykoff, CNN May 3, 2012 -- Updated 0317 GMT (1117 HKT) Jessa Balote at the bar of Ballet Manila with fellow aspiring ballerinas STORY HIGHLIGHTS Program run by Ballet Manila gives opportunities to children from slums Students are given chance to join the company, full-time Many students have to support families that live in most deprived areas Editor's note: CNN International's Eye On series is visiting the Philippines. Read and watch in-depth reports from the country online and on TV until May 14. (CNN) -- Jessa Balote is 14-years-old and training to be a professional ballerina in Manila. It is a task that takes enormous amounts of dedication for ... Continue reading →

STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: Chen says he was promised he "would have full civil liberties and travel freely" U.S. officials are trying to get a "clear view" of Chen's position The U.S. ambassador to China says Chen was not pressured to leave The U.S. says the Chinese government has guaranteed a "safe environment" for Chen Beijing (CNN) -- Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese activist at the center of a diplomatic firestorm, reiterated his intention to leave China and said he expects U.S. assistance. "I believe they will help me," he told CNN in an interview early Friday, but declined to elaborate. The activist, who left the refuge of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing after he escaped house arrest in his eastern China hometown, said Thursday that he ... Continue reading →

Human rights activist Chen Guangcheng appears on YouTube after he slipped away from house arrest. STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: Chen Guangcheng has left the U.S. embassy for a medical facility He escaped house arrest and fled to Beijing last week Chen is now "making Washington uncomfortable," a Chinese newspaper says Hillary Clinton arrives in Beijing ahead of scheduled talks on economics and strategy Hong Kong (CNN) -- The escaped Chinese activist whose refuge at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity between the United States and China has left for a medical facility. The news Wednesday came hours after the arrival in Beijing of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whose scheduled meetings with senior Chinese leaders were in danger of being ... Continue reading →

Human rights activist Chen Guangcheng appears on YouTube after slipping away from house arrest. STORY HIGHLIGHTS NEW: China will investigate reports of mistreatment of Chen, a U.S. official says Chen will relocated to a "safe environment," the U.S. official says Official: He has made clear he wants to stay in China Hillary Clinton arrives in Beijing ahead of scheduled talks on economics and strategy Hong Kong (CNN) -- China demanded an apology from the United States on Wednesday after a human rights activist emerged from several days of refuge inside the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Chen Guangcheng's presence in the U.S. Embassy had prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity between the United States and China. The situation has threatened to overshadow U.S. Secretary of State ... Continue reading →

STORY HIGHLIGHTS The Mind Museum is the first modern science museum in the Philippines Houses 250 interactive exhibits made by local artists and scientists Challenge to popularize science and scientific ideas in devoutly Catholic country Only 1% of high school students in the Philippines graduate with math and physics Editor's note: (CNN) -- Maria Isabel Garcia doesn't get as many angry reactions to her work as she used to. For over ten years she has been one of the Philippines only science writers in a national newspaper, and during that time received her fair share of disparaging comments from readers in the devoutly Catholic country. Yet as the curator of The Mind Museum, the Philippines first modern, purpose-built science museum, her work now is a ... Continue reading →

Coach Ronald Chavez watches as Filipino World Junior Champion Eumir Marcial (left) is put through his paces in the ring. Members of the Philippine youth amateur boxing team take a break after sparring. The Philippines has won five medals in boxing at the Olympic Games, but none since 1996. It takes six years of training and investing in talent to make an Olympic champion, says Manuel Lopez, Vice President of the Philippines Olympic Committee. "There's a lot of raw talent in the Philippines," he says. Sixteen-year-old Eumir Marcial is currently one of great prospects of Philippine amateur boxing. The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila was built in the 1930s and is where the 48 boxers, 36 men and 12 women, of the Philippine amateur ... Continue reading →

Protesters hold placards with portraits of Philippine Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona. The chief justice is being impeached in an ongoing and often televised trial. President Benigno Acquino III (center) came to power in 2010 on an anti-corruption platform. High-profile trials and attempts to depoliticize the reform process have so far been his methods. President of the Philippines before Benigno Acquino III, Arroyo has pleaded not guilty to charges brought against her of rigging the 2007 senatorial elections. Arroyo's family have been hounded by accusations of corruption. The former film actor was president from 1998 to 2001 and faced impeachment and a public trial before resigning from office. He ran again for president in 2010. Justice on trial Presidential promise Former president Gloria Arroyo ... Continue reading →