Latest Posts
Zhang Lijia on political reform in China – Hangout-on-air
On Thursday 31 May the Beijing-based author Zhang Lijia will answer questions on political reform in China in an upcoming Hangout-on-air. Are we seeing merely window-dressing, or are there real options for change. Basis will be her opt-in in the New York Times, where she sounds rather pessimistic.Read More →
Can China withdraw the state from the economy? – Victor Shih
China needs to shift its economy from state investments to domestic consumption to survive. But can China withdraw that kind of power from state institutions, wonders political and financial analyst Victor Shih in the Financial Times.Read More →
Better get used to higher prices – Shaun Rein
Cheap labor has made the country into a source of deflation for global consumers, but as Chinese wages go up, consumers in Wall-Mart and elsewhere better prepare for higher prices, tells the author of The End of Cheap China Shaun Rein an in interview with the BBC radio.Read More →
What Chinese want – The Atlantic Review
Why the Chinese will not become like the Americans, explains China advertising expert Tom Doctoroff in his latest book “What Chinese Want: Culture, Communism and China’s Modern Consumer”. The Atlantic summerizes one of his key viewpoints.Read More →
In China young billionaires earn their money, few inherit – Rupert Hoogewerf
Young billionaires worldwide tend to inherit their capital, but not in China. In China very few of the rich inherit their wealth, tells Rupert Hoogewerf of Hurun of the China Rich List in the Shanghai Daily.Read More →
Gaining personal freedom in a caged country – Zhang Lijia
During her last-week speech at TedxMongkok in Hong Kong author Zhang Lijia described the differences in personal freedom from the time she worked in the rocket-factory in Nanjing and how in Beijing. A growing freedom in a cage, summarized on her weblog.Read More →
Paul French’s next books
Every successful author needs to have his next book ready before the previous book is out. Celebrity author Paul French of Midnight in Peking has two in the making, while he is touring to promote his latest book, he tells The Scotsman. Read More →
China offers Africa more leverage – Howard French
Former colonial powers have been anxiously watching how China has been entering Africa. While it is too early to give a final verdict, former foreign correspondent in Africa and China Howard French sees more positive than negative effects, he tells in AllAfrica.Read More →
Zhang Lijia on China’s political reforms – Hangout-on-air
The famous author Zhang Lijia discussed earlier this week in the New York Times the prospect – of better the lack thereof – of political reform in China. In Google+ Hangout-on-air we will discuss early next week why she does not think the upcoming leadership is ready for that task.Read More →
Income inequality, China’s real curse – Arthur Kroeber
Not a dropping growth is China’s problem, as some economists predict, but income equality is hurting and might offer one of the country’s real challenges, argues economist Arthur Kroeber in Foreign Policy. Read More →
Why China bought American movie theaters – Shaun Rein
Wanda’s purchase of AMC Theathers raised more than a few eyebrows in the US? Is China buying a backdoor to execute its soft power? Business analyst and author Shaun Rein explains in Foreign Policy what is behind this and other high-profile corporate purchase by Chinese companies.Read More →
Are China’s new leaders ready for political reforms? – Zhang Lijia
Ruling Prime Minister Wen Jiabao warned a few months ago the country needs real political reforms to avoid another Cultural Revolution. Is China’s upcoming leadership ready for that tasks? Author and celebrity Zhang Lijia writes in the New York Times she has her doubts.Read More →