Pilger article is good, and Pilger is an excellent journalist. For a longer, very carefully researched look at how it all happens, in particular in the U.S., see Herman & Chomsky's book, Manufacturing Consent.

What is meant by 'the South' of Kunming? When I think of 'the South', I think of the area from the train station south. A bit confusing.

Didn't think of a discussion of the hukou system - you're not suggesting one, are you? What's your point?

As long as it doesn't involve direct, serious negative judgements of life in China, I don't think it ought to be, or needs to be, avoided.

Suggested topics for discussions at places like English corners: How is life in the US (in particular) different from the way it is portrayed in Hollywood films & TV shows? And in what ways is life in 'the West' not necessarily the same as 'life in the US', regardless of how it's portrayed? And how are western foreigners in Kunming atypical of the majority of people living in the countries from which they come? Many people seem misled about the first two of these issues thanks to the domination in the international media by (primarily US) entertainment, by the hype of the travel industry, and by the types of things that make the news - think of what foreigners wouldn't know about China if they only depended on Chinese media and entertainment. Concerning the last issue, I've often had people imply to me that 'foreigners' (read: 'westerners') all seem to be 'free' in their lifestyles, can go wherever they want, have money, have been to university, are more or less 'middle class' etc., not realizing that most 'foreigners' who come to live/stay in China exhibit characteristics somewhat different from those of the great majority who stay home, most of whom are not native English speakers and don't even speak English, and that many are not 'white', however defined.