Chinese President Xi Jinping, just over a year in office, recently made a rare appearance in public in a Beijing restaurant, buying a cheap lunch and paying for it himself. Shortly thereafter, President Xi delivered a brief televised New Year message from what appeared to be his office, wishing Chinese workers and their families well. Both acts prompted lots of discussion among China-watchers. Freelance writer Paul Mooney, lived and worked in China for 18 years. Last November, his application to work for Reuters in Beijing was denied. Mooney's response, part of a private email exchange, is reprinted with his permission.