Thanks Art and Wes, but my question remains unanswered.  China shared a
cultural context with Taiwan until 1948, when Mao took over.  Did 40
years of ultra-utilitarianistic idealogical indoctrination discourage
the pursuit of such "non-productive" passtimes as shell-collecting so
completely that the non-scientific portion of the "shell-world" now
contains almost no mainland Chineese members (Has ANYONE heard of or
from one???), or is there some other explanation?  There are many
"nuveau riche" entrepeneurs in China- do none of them take up hobbies
such as collecting things?  If not, why?  If so, why do they not join
our international community?
 
                                                                                        Curious in Canada,
                                                                                        Ross M.