Chinese Language

*"The Centre is of the opinion that the achievements in construction these recent years are great ... However, in the concrete work in the agricultural and industrial and other sectors, there were some flaws and mistakes that led to some losses. The reason for these flaws and mistakes was fundamentally because **many leading personnel had slackened in the kind of investigation and research work** which had been carried out during the War of Resistance against Japan and the War of Liberation with excellent results, and had become content with reading the reports that appear in the newspapers and listening to other people’s oral reports. **When they went out themselves, it was merely to look at flowers while riding on horseback—they were content with a superficial understanding,** and for a period made some assessments and took some decisions based on data that did not correspond to the actual situation or that were of a biased nature. During this period, exaggeration was indulged in and the abominable work-style of making personal feelings a substitute for policy, reared its head once again. **This is a major lesson, and leading comrades at all levels throughout the Party absolutely must not neglect or forget this lesson for which a price has been paid."*** \-\-\- *Zhongfa* No. 261, Letter from the CCP Centre to the Regional Bureaus and the Party Committees of the Provinces, Municipalities, and [Autonomous] Regions Concerning the Matter of Conscientiously Carrying out Investigations [23 March 1961] Hello all and welcome back to the China Study Group! Having finished our months-long deep dive into modern Chinese history with the multi-part *Sorghum and Steel* reading, we're now changing gears rapidly with a read-through of Mao Zedong's short, punchy but profoundly influential text *No Investigation, No Right to Speak*, also known as *Oppose Book Worship.* Find it here: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-6/mswv6_11.htm Written in May 1930 from the liberated base area known as the Jiangxi Soviet Republic during the height of the first period of the Chinese Civil War, this text encapsulates Mao's contributions to communist political and military theory. If there's anything unique in Chinese Marxism, it's this insistence on detailed, region-by-region, city-by-city, street-by-street collection of what today might be called political "data". Even today, the CPC's major theoretical journal *Quishi* takes its name from the idiom first coined by Mao and later promoted by Deng Xiaoping - *[seek truth from facts.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seek_truth_from_facts)* The text quoted above comes from a document published by the CPC journal *Zhongfa* in the years just before the start of the Cultural Revolution (find the text [here](https://emaoism.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mao-zedong-on-investigation-and-research.pdf) if you're curious). It speaks to the immense emphasis which was at that time starting to be laid once again on the carrying-out of "investigation and research work" after years of neglect. It may seem elementary, but spend a decade on the British left with the Trotskyists and other groups that draw on the Soviet experience as their primary source of inspiration, and you'll see how common it remains today, as in Mao's time, for communist know-it-alls to take what they think they know about the working and other classes for granted. All too often, we assume that workers, students, intellectuals, the so-called middle classes and other groups are monolithic, with uniform interests and universal experiences. Meanwhile, things on the ground are never simple. What it's like to be a worker not only varies from job to job, industry to industry but even house-to-house among workers who on paper have the same background. Social investigation as a key communist practice wasn't unprecedented when Mao was writing, of course. Marx introduced the idea of ["worker's inquiry"](https://viewpointmag.com/2013/09/27/workers-inquiry-a-genealogy/) to the labour movement, a thread which was later picked up by the Italian Autonomists of the mid-century and carried on today by groups like Notes From Below and the Angry Workers Collective, whose work we've previously studied at LMRG. This kind of attention to detail in political, trade-union and community organising has paid dividends for many, so let's investigate it! Join us for a discussion of the social investigations of the Chinese Civil War, their connections to other forms of Marxist theory-of-practice like workers' inquiry, the prospects for and use-values of social investigations in Britain today, and more. Happy reading and see you there! \-\-\-\- About the China Study Group: What can we learn from the Chinese Revolution? That's the question we'll seek to answer as LMRG brings the heat to you once again, now on Tuesday nights, with our all-new China Study Group. In this long-form reading series, we'll meet monthly for in-depth discussion of a series of texts on China, its revolution, the socialist market economy, and more. As the [New Cold War](https://thetricontinental.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20221107_MR-NCW_EN_Web.pdf) heats up, it's never been more important to learn what we can about the country which the US, UK and EU have all described - following the [American phrasebook](https://www.gmfus.org/news/china-systemic-rival-systemic-threat) \- as a "systemic rival"\.

Ping Pong is all about Beer, Bragging rights and making Buddies! Come along to the Ping Pong Social at Bounce Shoreditch to unwind, meet likeminded people and of course show off your whiff whaff skills! This event is crafted to serve both serious Table Tennis players with lots of challenges & tournaments, as well as the social players with tailor made games for singles, couples, colleagues & friends. With music playing and drinks flowing you will be able to choose from a variety of creative and quirky games including Ping Pong Tournaments, Social Doubles, Round Pong, Weapon Pong etc. There will be prizes for winners that include bottle of Prosecco & Medals and free entry to future events. We are usually by tables 15,16, 17 this is where you should meet us. However, if we change the tables or if you can't find us for whatever reason, please call/text host Vin and/or ask at reception for us, and you will be directed to us. Experience includes: \~ 4 Hours of Ping Pong Entertainment Tournament for Beginners, Intermediates, Experts (Prosecco for the Winner) \~ Quirky Social Ping Pong games with Fancy Prices for beginners \~ Fun Vibe to socialise in UV lit up exclusive Ping Pong venue FREE entry to our next Beer Pong event for winners

Our next English Conversation Café will be on **Monday 30th March 2026 at** **7:30pm**! Topic for the evening: To be confirmed You will have an opportunity to practice your English and meet new people, through conversation topics and games. This event is mainly for learners of English, so we kindly ask native speakers to give priority to others. The venue is **downstairs** in Costa Coffee, 3 Southwark St, London SE1 1RQ which is a 1 minute walk from London Bridge Station. This is a **free** event, you will not be expected to pay for anything. You will also be able to have a free drink and cake. The café is run by a group of volunteers from [The Globe Church](https://www.globe.church). Please sign up if you would like to attend. If you have any questions please ask us using Meetup. Numbers are limited so please only sign up if you are going to come and change your response if you can no longer come. Look forward to seeing you soon 😊

El planazo de los lunes: pasar un momento entre amigos, hablando español.

**Viendrez-vous assister à notre réunion Toastmasters?** Nous nous rencontrons "en mode Hybride" au coeur de Londres et tout le temps "en distanciel". Eh oui, que vous soyez basé.e au Royaume-Uni, au Maroc, aux Etats-Unis ou encore en France pour ne citer que quelques lieux, vous pouvez rejoindre notre cohorte internationale de francophiles et francophones "en ligne" via ZOOM :) 👀 REJOIGNEZ-NOUS !! Au programme de la soirée, vous aurez : * **des discours préparés** de 5 à 7 min délivrés par les membres de notre club Experience French Toastmasters, * **des évaluations,** * **des discours improvisés** de 1 à 2 min sur un sujet dévoilé le soir même, * **du feedback pour tout le monde :)** émanant des participants et également du grammairien, du gardien du temps et de l'évaluateur général. *(Note: It is all about **speaking and practising**, communication and leadership. We learn by speaking in front of an audience, taking on roles, getting feedback, and improving. We do recommend our club to people who are already fluent in French and in English.* *We LEARN by SPEAKING in FRONT of PEOPLE, TAKING ON ROLES, GETTING FEEDBACK, and IMPROVING.* Vous pouvez assister à quelques unes de nos réunions en tant qu'invité, avant de vous engager... C'est gratuit ! Ensuite, quand vous nous rejoignez **en tant que Membre**, vous suivez le programme éducatif Pathways de Toastmasters International. Venez prendre une part active dans le déroulement de nos réunions et le club. Venez vous amuser avec nous ! **Rejoignez le Club :)** **Nos frais d'adhésion sont extrêmement abordables.** C'est clairement une occasion à ne pas manquer ! Au plaisir de vous accueillir au club, A très bientôt :)

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/47177 **Game Description:** 🧡Come and join us for a casual friendly & social badminton session in Archway. This venue consists of 4 courts in total. 🚨Directions🚨 📍Enter via Thornbury Square road and walk all the way downhill. (Note: you won’t be able to enter through the school!) 🚶‍♂️10 minute walk from Archway or Highgate tube stations (Northern Line) 🚗 Free car parking on site 🚿 Showers, changing rooms, water fountain & toilets are available in **Rules** 🏸The session is for mixed ability players so please be positive and encouraging to all players. We highly encourage you to read the rules for classic doubles prior to the session so we can run the games smoothly. 👯‍♀️We play doubles for the whole time and keep rotating courts so everyone gets to play with each other. We use Yonex Mavis 300 Nylon Shuttle cocks. We also have a few spare rackets.

Improve your Mandarin and English while making new friends! Join [Manhattan Mandarin](ManhattanMandarin.co.uk) at the [Jackalope](https://jackalopelondon.com/) in Marylebone - appropriately situated above a Chinese restaurant, [Liu Xiao Mian](https://www.liu-xiaomian.com/). All levels welcome - these are **very casual** meetups where you're welcome to mingle until finding suitable language partners Pop down for noodles or stay outside in the lovely mews, but whatever you do, come ready to chat, make great new connections, and push your language learning forward 🤗🤗🤗 Feel free to bring anything you think will help facilitate language exchange! (games, flashcards) We often provide ice-breaker question sheets just in case you need some help 🤗🤗🤗 Let us know if you need some help mingling You're welcome to try our HSK Classes in Marylebone: [https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/hskclasses](https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/hskclasses) or our Saturday online HSK classes: [https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/onlineclasses](https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/onlineclasses) For more information please contact Harry@ManhattanMandarin.com, 07767260207) Since 2012, with a fantastic team of over 200 native and non-native Mandarin teachers in the US and UK, [Manhattan Mandarin](ManhattanMandarin.com) knows what makes for fun and engaging communication between English and Chinese speakers!

**1st Sunday of every month,** join us for a fun and social way to explore Chinese culture while supercharging your language skills. This isn't just practice; it’s **accelerated progress** through content you love — transforming learning into a **fun cultural discovery**! **This Month's Theme - Trending in China** 📱✨ Ever wonder what’s actually taking over screens in China right now? This month, we’re stepping away from the textbooks and into the "Trending" tab! From the latest viral clips to trendy news that everyone is sharing, come decode the digital culture that’s shaping modern China today, while learning new phrases along the way! It’s fast-paced, fun, and 100% real-world. * **All levels welcome**: our expert host provides active support so you can participate with confidence, regardless of your level. * **Price:** £10 (includes all materials + refreshments 🍵✨) * **Secure your spot** - [Tap here to Pay](https://monzo.com/pay/r/china-unbound_qsboSdlMTJ8Q1R) This is the ultimate fun way to fluency. We can't wait to welcome you! **How it works - no 'prep work', just chat!** * **We provide the inspiration:** Each month, we hand-pick authentic "cultural gems" to share (like a song, a short clip, or book). * Feel free to bring your own material, but there's no pressure to! * **We provide the treats:** we stock up on free coffee, tea, and biscuits in our beautiful office. 🍪☕️ * **You show up and enjoy:** Watch your Mandarin skills soar with natural, real-world practice! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Take your Mandarin beyond the event.** If you’re looking for a bit more structure to accelerate your learning, let’s chat! We're offering **FREE 1-on-1 course advice sessions** to help you find the perfect class. **No commitment** required. [Book your Free Session](https://eu.bigin.online/org20070515371/bookings/course-advice) **[China Unbound](https://china-unbound.co.uk/personal/)** is the best place to learn practical Chinese for adults. While most schools prioritise grammar and writing, we empower you to communicate confidently in real-world situations. Join us and discover a fun, fast, and personalised way to master Chinese! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Hello, LEAF members & friends! Spring is here, and so are the cherry blossoms. “Hanami” (flower viewing) is a cherished Japanese tradition where we gather under the blossoms to enjoy their beauty. We’ll be teaming up with other Asian meetup groups for this special event! ### 🍱 What to Bring * **Drinks:** Bring your favourite beverages (sharing is fun!) * **Snacks & Food (optional):** East Asian treats, homemade goodies, or simple sandwiches * **Picnic Blanket:** If you have one * **Dress Warmly:** It can still be chilly! ### 🤗 Who’s Welcome Anyone interested in East Asian culture (or simply curious) is invited. Newcomers are always welcome—don’t be shy! ### 📍 Location We’ll meet at **Greenwich Park**. On the day, we’ll share photos and our exact spot so you can easily find us. Please **RSVP** so we know how many people to expect. Feel free to bring friends along. We can’t wait to see you there and celebrate spring together! (*If it rains or the weather is bad, we’ll announce changes or postponements.*)

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

Hey Everyone! Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: Type Annotations with John Cassidy We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)