What would you say if someone called you a banana? We asked scores of American and Canadian Chinese, currently residing in China, that exact question (the term "banana" refers to looking yellow on the outside, but acting white on the inside) and received responses from one end of the spectrum ("I could think of worse fruits to be called!") to the other ("It is a completely racist and derogatory term. No one can say 'oreo' without being labeled a racist, and the same should go for 'banana.'"). But we didn't just ask the question, we looked deeper, peeling away until a host of identity issues were uncovered that are unique to this group. Stuck somewhere between the East and the West, being an overseas Chinese in Beijing and Shanghai can be a blessing and a burden. Turn to page 10 to hear their stories.

Living in Beijing's Wudaokou, writer Lauren Mack meets many overseas Chinese who have come to China to study or work. "I suspected overseas Chinese had a different experience here in China, but I wanted to test out this theory," says Mack. After speaking with several "huayi" and professors, Mack says she's gained a greater perspective on the unique challenges they face and why this phenomenon occurs, reported in this issue's In China (pg. 10). "I am amazed and inspired by their courage to persevere in an environment that may not always be the most welcoming. In the end, each person I interviewed overcame misunderstandings and daily annoyances to become quite successful in Beijing and Shanghai."

Trendy bars, posh nightclubs and one-of-a-kind drinks are staples of Shanghai nightlife, so when CW asked Shanghai intern John Clayton to select the best of the best (Shanghai City Feature, pg. E08), there wasn't a moment's hesitation. A native North Carolinian, Clayton has traveled the world extensively and knows a thing or two about drinks. “The ones we're featuring are masterpieces; they more than hold their own against the international standard.” Luckily for him, tasting was part of the research: “After trying chilled drinks all weekend in the Shanghai heat, I guess you could say I'm the coolest guy around.”

"The Beijing team finally decided to do a feature on cool treats for summer,” says Beijing Entertainment Guide designer Ding Jie about this issue's Beijing City Feature (pg. E08). While designing the cover, Ding's initial idea was “to drop a dish of bingsha, or an ice cream cone, on the cover, giving readers a strong and clear image.” But after loads of beautiful looking ice cream photos came in, Ding changed his mind (the cute model eating the ice cream probably had a little something to do with it too). “Welcome to CW's cool world of gelato, banana splits and ice cream bars: You scream, I scream ...”