Latest Posts
How Beijing is building a digital wall akin to the Berlin wall – Ian Johnson
China’s rules are building a divide with the rest of the world, similar to the Berlin wall Russia started to build last century, says China veteran Ian Johnson in news.com.au. “Speech is more restricted than ever. Community activities and social groups are strictly regulated and monitored by the authorities,” he explained.Read More →
Xi’s age of stagnation – Ian Johnson
Former China correspondent and author Ian Johnson was forced to leave the country in 2020 and revisited China earlier in 2023 for Foreign Affairs. He found a country in stagnation, that was used to double-digit growth, but lost its economic glamor, the former power base of the Communist Party. Strict government regulations changed China he knew. Also, information on his latest book Sparks: China’s Underground Historians and their Battle for the Future. Read More →
Confidence in China is low, and getting even lower – Shaun Rein
Confidence among consumers and investors in China’s economy is at a low and even getting lower in the coming weeks, says business analyst Shaun Rein to CNBC. Even a firm financial stimulus from the government like in the past is not going to work, as shortage of liquidity is not the real problem.Read More →
Brands: maneuvering between streamers and influencers – Ashley Dudarenok
While brands are rightfully intrigued by the power of streamers in e-commerce, they cannot replace traditional influencers, says branding expert Ashley Dudarenok in Campaign Asia. “While there was a time when brands favoured streamers over traditional influencers, as they thought streamers can sell, these days they know better,” says Ashley Dudarenok,Read More →
TikTok, Huawei’s successes are in the US defined as security risks – Shaun Rein
“When the Chinese get good at something, all of the sudden, the United States says, ‘This is a national security risk’”, says Shanghai-based business analyst Shaun Rein on the tech arms race between China and the US, where Huawei, TikTok, and others got into trouble in the US, in his interview with Ian Bremmer.Read More →
How the state gets grip on housing, education and health care – Arthur Kroeber
The Chinese state is extending its grip on previously private investments in different areas like housing, health care, and education, similar to its crackdown on tech sectors in the past, says leading economist Arthur Kroeber to Reuters. Investors now prefer to turn to those industries, as they have the state as a backup.Read More →
How I changed from a China bull into a bear – Shaun Rein
Former China bull Shaun Rein explains to Ian Bremmer how he changed into a bear during the corona crisis last year. In a wide-ranging exchange of thoughts, he points to the lack of trust and communication between China and the US. And is China moving in the direction of socialism?Read More →
Booming social commerce in China – Ashley Dudarenok
China’s economic growth might have been lackluster post-Covid, but social commerce is the exception, even compared to traditional e-commerce, says e-commerce experts Ashley Dudarenok in Dao Insights. “New sales channels are changing the way businesses approach e-commerce, and they’re adapting their strategies to stay competitive,” she writes.Read More →
Why using a digital currency is a no-brainer for China – Sara Hsu
While most of the world is still investigating and trying ways to use a digital currency for their countries, this is more than obvious for China, says fintech expert Sara Hsu in the Raconteur. China is already close to being cashless and many places no longer accept notes and coins. Read More →
TV drama on rape victim blaming, triggers a much needed debate – Zhang Lijia
A star-studded Chinese TV drama delving into workplace sexual harassment titled Imperfect Victim recently ended but the debate it triggered rages on. Journalist and social commentator Zhang Lijia dives into the debate for the South China Morning Post.Read More →
Still low confidence, but prospects better in two-to-three months – Shaun Rein
Confidence among consumers and investors is still low, but Shanghai-based analyst Shaun Rein sees some light at the end of the tunnel. Liquidity is not a problem, but both consumers and investors are still careful in spending their money for the next two, three months, he tells CNBC.Read More →
US chip restrictions hurts growth of its own semiconductor firms – Victor Shih
US restrictions on purchasing chips from China are hurting US semiconductor firms, says political analyst Victor Shih in an interview with the state news agency Xinhua. Not every chip sold by U.S. companies is cutting edge or has national security relevance. In those cases, the U.S. government should show some flexibility,” said ShihRead More →