China’s influencer economy in 2025 is bigger, faster, and more competitive than ever, writes marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok in an overview of this booming industry in Chozan. “In 2024 alone, MCNs — multi-channel networks — were behind many of the country’s record-breaking livestream sales and viral content trends,” she adds.Read More →

China veteran Kaiser Kuo looks at the lessons the West can learn from China, and how the China debate needs a much-needed reshuffle, a major essay at the Ideas Newsletter. “The question is whether we will meet it with the rigorous self-examination that has historically enabled democratic renewal, or retreat once more into the comforting myths that have blinded us to both our weaknesses and our rivals’ strengths,” Kuo writes.Read More →

China is going to be the likely winner in the trade tensions the second-largest economy in the world has with the US, Shanghai-based business analyst Shaun Rein, author of The Split: Finding the Opportunities in China’s Economy in the New World Order, explains at ScanX. “While the situation remains fluid, Rein’s analysis suggests that China may be better positioned to weather the current trade tensions.”Read More →

Ian Johnson, founder and president of China’s Unofficial Archives dives into the country’s way to deal with religion for the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. How does religion work in China? Officially, the government recognizes five religions, but people and their practices don’t fit neatly into these categories, Ian Johnson tells.Read More →

Marketing guru Ashley Dudarenok dives into China’s B2B marketplaces and their latest key trends, including the top-10 platforms trying to get hold of the global market, at her website Chozan. “Trust is becoming a brand asset. Alibaba’s Trade Assurance, DHgate’s escrow, and Yiwugo’s secure payments provide buyers with additional protection. Video reviews, verified supplier programs, and standardization efforts help reduce fraud while ensuring shipments clear customs smoothly,” she writes.Read More →

Marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok explains the difference between TikTok and its Chinese sister Douyin at her website Chozan. In 2025, Douyin was named China’s most valuable brand, with a valuation of US$105.8 billion. That marked a 26% increase from the previous year, driven by the platform’s deep integration into everyday digital life. In March 2025, Douyin reached 1 billion monthly active users in China. What exactly is Douyin?Read More →

Financial and political analyst Victor Shih, author of Factions and Finance in China: Elite Conflict and Inflation, discusses the current state of China’s real estate and why it has taken so long for China’s leadership to deal with this crisis. The bottoming-out process of the industry is not yet complete, he says at TaiwanPlus.Read More →