Latest Posts
Facebook blocks famous Chinese writer – Ian Johnson
Facebook has suspended the account of the exiled Chinese author Liao Yiwu, writes journalist Ian Johnson in the New York Times. Not or the first time, the censorship of the internet giant hits the wrong person. Liao opposes the move: “I didn’t knuckle under the Communist Party, and I won’t knuckle under Facebook.”Read More →
The poor mental health of migrant factory workers – Zhang Lijia
Former factory worker, and now author Zhang Lijia looks on her weblog into the fate of Xu Lizhi, a 24-year old Foxconn worker, who of many who jumped to death on September 20. Xu was not only a migrant worker, but also a poet, she tells us.Read More →
Remembering the Cultural Revolution – Ian Johnson
Remembering the gruesome past of the Cultural Revolution has been a touchy issue, suppressed by the government, even though many at the current leadership have been victims themselves. Journalist Ian Johnson describes how things might be changing in the New York Review of Books.Read More →
Wang Jianlin´s poor IPO spoiled his no.1 position – Rupert Hoogewerf
Until last week both Jack Ma of Alibaba and Wang Jianlin were in the race to become the richest man in China in 2014. A poor IPO in Hong Kong spoiled his chances, explains China Rich List founder Rupert Hoogewerf, in the China Daily. But it is not the end of the game.Read More →
Best wishes for 2015
Fast the year 2014 is rushing to its end, something you might easily forget if you focus on the Chinese New Year, that is only taking place in February. But the rest of the world is slowing down, and so does the China Speakers Bureau.Read More →
The collateral damage of communist rule – Ian Johnson
Economist Arthur Kroeber argued last week that China´s leadership accepts that its authoritarian strength triggers off collateral damage: it will never become a leader in technology or soft power, including censorship. Journalist Ian Johnson disagrees in the ChinaFile, the people might not accept that trade-off.Read More →
The Haphazard Empire – Howard French
Author and journalist Howard French discusses his book China’s Second Continent: How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa, at the Sinica Podcast with Kaiser Kuo and Jeremy Goldkorn. He explains why the original title The Haphazard Empire, covers his book better: the unplanned migration of over a million of Chinese to Africa.Read More →
Diversification helps profits real estate firms – Sara Hsu
Dropping housing prices have put pressure on real estate firms. But while smaller companies might fail, larger ones try to remain profitable by sometimes daring diversification of their investments, writes financial analyst Sara Hsu in the Diplomat.Read More →
On the rise of Tibetian Buddhism – Ian Johnson
Tibetian Buddhism has become popular in the West, but also among rich Han Chinese. Journalist Ian Johnson discusses with author John Osburn the reasons behind this popularity in a two-piece interview for the New York Times.Read More →
China´s richest in 2014: Jack Ma or Wang Jianlin – Rupert Hoogewerf
For a short while Alibaba´s chairman Jack Ma looked like he was heading for the position of richest person in China in 2014. But at the end of the year, Wanda chairman Wang Lianlin is contesting that position, as he brings two firms to the Hong Kong stock exchange, tells China Rich List founder Rupert Hoogewerf to WSJ wealth editor Wei Gu.Read More →
Is China a Copycat – Shaun Rein
China veteran Shaun Rein is on a book tour for his latest one The End of Copycat China: The Rise of Creativity, Innovation, and Individualism in Asia. A report from the Business of Design Week 2014 at StylebyAsia.com. “Rein is born to be on stage, his speech is just enjoyable and enthralling.”Read More →
Xi Jinping is turning a page, whether you like it or not – Arthur Kroeber
Much has been written about China´s slowing economic growth, its new outspoken foreign policy and general assertiveness. Xi Jinping´s project is on track, writes analyst Arthur Kroeber in the Huffington Post, and we better get used to it.Read More →