Editor’s Letter

Superstitions， reincarnation， UFOs， strange disappearances， mysterious monsters， unexplained sights and sounds， excessive horror， psychological pain， hysteria—not， as you might expect， a typical day in the TWOC offices as the print deadline approaches.

Rather， these are just the many mysterious things that the wise fellows in the censorship office consider unsuitable for Chinese readers， as they are deemed to have a negative impact on society and especially the mental health of impressionable youths （just like video games—see p.48）.

Far be it for us to spread frightening rumors or alarm younger readers. Instead， this months issue is devoted to examining real-life incidents and phenomena—from a lethal lake known as Chinas Bermuda Triangle to legends of a shaggy-haired wild man （not a reference to any TWOC staff members）—and seeking their scientific explanation， if any. Are the tales true？ Youll find out...

Of course， youll also enjoy the usual eclectic mix of culture， cuisine， travel， and features， including an investigation into whats ailing Chinas rental market and tenants （see p.42）， scams on the steppes （see p.62）， and how to get 1.4 billion people “banked” （see p.54）. Enjoy， and happy holidays...

Robert Foyle Hunwick

Managing Editor