is a factory-worker-turned writer, social commentator and public speaker. One of the few Chinese who write regularly in English for international publications, her articles have appeared in The Guardian, Newsweek and The New York Times. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir “Socialism Is Great!” about her rocket factory experience, which got translated into six foreign languages. Her debut novel Lotus on prostitution in contemporary China has been featured by BBC’s World Book Club program. Lijia has lectured at many conferences, institutions and universities, including Harvard, Stanford and Oxford. She is a regular speaker on the BBC, Channel 4, and CNN. She divides her time between Beijing and London.

was born in Shanghai in 1971. From 1990 – 1994 he studied applied mathematics. After several different occupations, particularly in the fields of marketing, public relations and software programming, he studied animation technique in Maryland/USA for two years, during which time he also worked for different film production companies in Shanghai. In 1998 he started writing fiction. Since then he has published a collection of short stories, the novel Mister Tao in the Apple Core and several nonfiction books. Alongside his interest in the history of ideas and the mind he includes mathematics, physics and astronomy.