The new US president Biden is following closely his predecessor’s approach on China. Wrongly, says long-term China correspondent Ian Johnson in an opinion piece at the New York Times. “Washington’s plan appears to be to wait for the results of the comprehensive review of America’s national security policy toward China that Mr. Biden announced in February. This caution is a mistake,” says Johnson.Read More →

Women are among the most active in the workforce, but political participation is lagging like nowhere else in the world. Social commentator Zhang Lijiia dives into the patriarchal culture of China  and how political participation in government can be improved, for the South China Morning Post.Read More →

Cosmetics sold in China require up to May 1, 2021, animal tests to prove they are safe for consumers. Since their users required cruel-free cosmetics, foreign manufacturers had a hard time selling cosmetics to Chinese consumers. But times are changing, although only a little, says China-lawyer Mark Schaub in the China Law Insight in a review of upcoming legal change.Read More →

China’s government shocked the fintech industry by introducing firm financial measures, similar to the banking sector. Ant Financial even had to cancel its massive IPO. But what we have seen is only the start of more government action to regulate the internet, says fintech expert Sara Hsu in the Diplomat. Managing capital and data are key elements.Read More →

China’s automotive industry has traditionally taken a backseat compared to global competitors, but is planning a major overtake when it comes to pushing startups on self-driving, says China lawyer Mark Schaub in the Asia Nikkei. “In China, if you always wait till the law comes into effect, you are six months to a year behind what the regulators are saying,” Schaub said.Read More →

China’s government tries to raise the number of newborns to offset an aging population, but the latest demographics show Chinese do not follow that lead as the country’s birthrate is dropping. People choose to make a different choice, explains social commentator Zhang Lijia in the Guardian. “And society has become more tolerant.”Read More →

Typically, China’s economy comes to a standstill during the annual Chinese New Year, but not in 2021, explains business analyst Shaun Rein to CNBCTV. GovermentalCovid-19 restrictions make it tough for migrant workers to return home, and double salaries at the factories might encourage them to continue working during the festival. Other industries like travel and leisure might suffer, though.Read More →

Ant Finance has been one of the more prominent victims of the current crackdown by the central government on the booming fintech industry. But small regional banks are another group getting into trouble, says financial analyst Sara Hsu in China-US Focus.Read More →