Via prcnews.com: All work and no play in new China By Louisa Lim: "Coming back to Beijing after almost a decade away has been a disorientating experience."

It's a different world.

"And not nearly so much fun," Mrs Zhang said, with regret in her voice.

"We all work so hard now. We never have any time to see each other and we are all so stressed."

Talking to her, I could see how the harsh realities of a market-driven economy had finally reached my old work unit. It had managed to reshape itself and focus on making money.

Capitalism's really no fun at all. Maybe people truly are happier under Communism. There may be no progress, but you don't miss what you don't see.