Here to help

Today I had one of the most authentic Chinese experiences - one few visitors and no tourists get. I went to the celebration of the centenary of a moderately important institution, a celebration which had been 'proposed' by senior politicians.

There were about 2000 alumni as well as all the living faculty and 30 foreign guests, myself included. The celebration consisted of 2 1/2 hours of speeches, choreographed in a precise order with the deputy Minister starting, then the Party Secretary and so on until two representatives of the student body ended the event (which was enlivened by the presenting of honours and the unveiling of a plaque, handily brought into the auditorium). Apart from one foreign speaker - who was the only one to keep it brief - all was in Chinese so I spent a great deal of time clapping things I didn't understand.

Everything was filmed by several videographers and more than 20 photographers (not including the thousands and thousands of camera-phone shots being taken by the audience).

On the one hand, it was an extremely boring way to spend a sunny morning. On the other, it was a unique insight into this culture so different from our own but so significant for our futures.

The picture is one of the hundreds of student volunteers helping people find their seats.