But despite the problems, Cohen said he is optimistic about China. "I am an optimist and that's why I chose to study China," he said.
At 80, Cohen still teaches at NYU and works six or seven days a week. His wife, Joan, an artist and Silk Road scholar, hopes that they can travel more and is keen to visit Prague and Budapest.
But for Cohen, it's simply too hard to stop at this stage. "I bet on the horse 50 years ago when most people thought that horse had no chance of winning the race. Now the horse is coming down the track fast. Am I going to walk away?" he said.
"It's crazy. I am having a great time," Cohen said.
(Source: China Daily)
