By LIU JIAN & HOU PENG

On the evening of July 18, Nelson MandelaInternational Day celebrations were heldat The Bookworm, a popular bookstore inBeijing. Last November, the UN General Assemblydeclared the date to recognize the formerSouth African presidents contributions to globalpeace and freedom (its also his birthday). It wasa night of cello and guitar performances, a moviescreening and poetry recitations dedicated toMandelas life and work.