China’s role in Ivory Coast, Maggie Cheung’s career evolution: 5 weekend reads you missed

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. China built megaprojects in Ivory Coast, now it’s own role is changingBeijing is transitioning from contractor to stakeholder in the fast-growing African economy, with US$209 million tourist complex in the mix.2. Sun Fanglin, Chinese scientist who paved way for new cancer drugs, dies at 58Sun Fanglin was being treated for an undisclosed illness. Photo: BaiduLeading Chinese scientist Sun Fanglin, whose work on how cells age and form tumours helped pave the way for the development of new cancer treatments, has died aged 58.3. Trump’s China interference claims ‘reveal huge crisis facing American democracy’President Donald Trump’s latest diatribe against China over alleged election meddling has laid bare a “huge crisis” within America’s democratic system, a prominent adviser to Beijing has suggested.4. Chinese fossil find shows birds shed their dinosaur tails step by stepA Jurassic-era fossil found in China has changed the long-held belief that birds shed the long, bony tails of their dinosaur ancestors through a sudden evolutionary transition. Photo: sciencenet.cnA fossil found in China suggests modern birds shed the long, bony tails of their dinosaur ancestors through a step-by-step process, rather than a sudden evolutionary transition as previously believed.5. How Maggie Cheung went from commercial film eye candy to art-house legendHong Kong actress Maggie Cheung poses for a picture in 1991. Cheung was prolific between 1984 and 2010, appearing in dozens of films as a pretty “vase” character and later proving her range in more demanding roles. Photo: SCMP/TVB WeeklyAfter being cast for her looks early in her career, Maggie Cheung proved herself in serious roles, then stepped away from the industry altogether.Further Reading