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China nsight Since 2001 Fostering business and Icultural harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 20 NO. 2 February 2021

The masked skater… makings NOW, for a new TV series? ONLINE ONLY!

News, p. 3

Community , p. 5

Chinese American skaters loom large in figure skating. Their names roll off most people’s tongue: Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Michelle Kwan, Alysa Liu, to name a few. What’s this caped, masked skater’s name and what does she aspire to be? See page 7

History Application deadline looms for no-cost Congressional Gold Medals The Chinese American WWII Veterans unteers and prudent stewards. No matter, Congressional Gold Medal directly from Recognition Project enters its fifth year with the modified in-person presentation plan the U.S. Mint. great anticipation for the award ceremony from capable Chinese American Citizens The mission of the Chinese American of the Congressional Gold Medal to more Alliance committee members and donor- WWII Veterans Recognition Project is to than 3,000 veterans who have applied for, supporter community will all be worth it recognize, honor, and celebrate the military and con- when it does take place. service of Chinese Americans who fought firmed for However, the application deadline for in World War II through advocacy, educa- Arts & Culture, p. 8-9 this honor. veterans and their families to receive a tion and preservation and to ensure that It is un- medal at no cost ends Feb. 28, 2021. The the achievements and contributions of the” In This Issue fortunate Project will continue to accept applications greatest generation” will never be forgot- Arts & Culture 8-9 the pan- and information about veterans for its his- ten. The Chinese American WWII Veterans Books 10 demic had torical value as long as the website continues Recognition Project is a program of the caused the its current web presence, the decision has nonprofit Chinese American Citizens Alli- Business & Economy 4 project to been made to discontinue the awarding of ance C.A.C.A.), and the National Chinese Community 5, 12-14 be extended a “no-cost” Medal for applications received American Citizens Alliance Community Events 5 into 2021 - after February 28, 2021, 11:59:59PM EST. Involvement Fund (C.A.C.A. CIF). Neither Government & Politics 10-11 a full year Applications received after that date may organization nor this project are affiliated Health 6 longer than still be reviewed (and if approved) for the with any government agency, nor does it News 3 planned purpose of having a veteran’s name listed receive any government funds for use in despite the on the website, but the veteran and/or fam- meeting its objectives. People 7 efforts of ily must make their own arrangements to For more information, contact cgminfo@ Points of View 13 vigilant vol- purchase their Chinese American WWII caww2.org. ♦ Pronouncements 2 PAGE 2 / February 2021 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements ChinaInsight Greetings: Now that Joseph R. Biden has been power. Professionals will be rewarded fi- a rapid current to reach the finish line. The Publisher: inaugurated as the 46th president of the nancially for their diligence and skills. The rat finished first because it hopped on the Gregory J. Hugh United States, the country needs to unite family will play a significant role. Single back of the ox, and jumped off ahead just [email protected] again after experiencing a tumultuous period persons will marry, while the married will as the ox was about to reach the finish line, under the previous administration leading to welcome a new member to the family. beating the ox! Manager of a tragic demonstration at the nation’s capital People in business will start new partner- The ox, as shown in the myth, is known Operations/Circulation: on Jan. 6. ship ventures. to be dependable, strong and determined. Richard He Unfortunately, the Biden Administra- Chinese Because of this, the ox is associated with [email protected] tion faces the herculean task of bringing astrology has the Earth and is often prayed to for good the country together while fighting the zodiac signs fortune in agriculture. coronavirus and getting the economy back that reveal People born under the ox sign are often Staff Writers: on track along with a multitude of problems your person- diligent workers, but sometimes fade into Greg Hugh that the country is facing domestically and ality traits the background: as they do not demand a [email protected] throughout the world. While we rely on and they lot of praise. Because of how logical and mainstream media to provide coverage of are symbol- patient they are, many make great leaders. Elaine Dunn events that affect our lives, it is incumbent ized by12 We have also included some Chinese [email protected] on us, which includes government officials, animals. You New Year do’s and don’ts on page 8. the media as well as the general population, have a Chinese animal sign, just like you Also, you are cordially invited to assist to hold each other personally responsible for do a Western zodiac sign and they are based us and promote your own organization by Contributors: our own actions. upon the year you were born. Since there letting us know how you recently celebrated Zihui Lu Just as we did when the previous admin- are 12 animals, therefore a 12-year repeat- Chinese New Year. Submit a brief recap of [email protected] istration took over in 2017, China Insight ing cycle. your event along with any photos, including William Zajicek will place more emphasis on political issues People have said that the Chinese zodiac captions, for publication. To be considered [email protected] as China and the U.S. are facing profound year in which you were born, your Ben for the March issue of China Insight, we changes in their relationship. Ming Nian, pre-determine a lot about your must receive this no later than Feb. 19. As we enter our 20th year of publication, character and your values. However, like Please send materials to me or feel free to Production Editor: China Insight (in digital tabloid format) will star signs, some zodiac signs can be luckier contact me at [email protected]. Jennifer Nordin be including more events that are taking on specific years and dates, and some are As always, your support of China Insight [email protected] place elsewhere in the country with an em- more compatible with some animal signs is appreciated. phasis on local events as they occur. As all than others. of you know, COVID-19 has put a damper It is important to know what Chinese Sincerely, About ChinaInsight on Chinese Year celebrations, but the Mall animal year you fall under, so come the lunar ChinaInsight is a monthly English of America and Minnesota International new year in January and February you can language newspaper fostering business Chinese School are still holding their events learn to take good care of your zodiac sign. and cultural harmony between China in a virtual-safe format. The legend goes that the zodiac animals Gregory J. Hugh and the U.S. Despite many obstacles, the Year of were chosen through a race: there could only Publisher – CEO the Ox (Feb. 12, 2021) promises cheer and be 12 winners, and each animal had to cross China Insight, Inc. ChinaInsight is a Member of The Minnesota Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association 2-2021 (AAJA).

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about today’s China, from language to business opportunities. Copyright 2021 ChinaInsight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info news February 2021 / PAGE 3 Investors piling in Retail sales to exceed 10 pct Around 18.02 million investors in China from as new listings flooded the market. including a fast recovery of the catering opened accounts to trade stocks on the Mainland China and Hong Kong accounted industry as well as growing opportunities Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses in 2020, for 40 percent of the world’s IPO in 2020, for cross-border e-commerce brought by industry data showed. According to China according to Ernst & Young. the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Securities Depository and Clearing, the Chinese interest in local stocks has Economic Partnership. mainland stock market recorded an addi- remained high so far this year, with trading Consumption spending accounted for tion of 1.62 billion new investors in 2020 volume for the mainland-listed A-shares 54.3 percent of the country's GDP last year, – double the 809,000 reported from a year surpassing $154.32 million on 11 out of the according to the National Bureau of Statis- ago, up 100.39 percent. first 13 trading days of 2021. ♦ tics (NBS). There was a 3.9 percent decline This represents a 36.04-percent increase in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, but grew from 2019, hitting a record high since 2017, 4.6 percent in the fourth quarter of last year. according to the China Securities Deposi- Identified as a key driver of China’s eco- Data from the People's Bank of China, tory and Clearing Corporation Limited. nomic growth, China experts said domestic the country's central bank, showed that By the end of 2020, the number of inves- consumption is expected to see a year-on- households' deposits increased $1.74 billion tors with A-share accounts reached around year increase in 2021. The China Chamber in 2020. Consumers are expected to spend 177.77 million. of Commerce predicted China’s growth in their excess savings this year. A researcher The surge of interest is seen as coming retail sales of consumer goods will likely at Renmin University of China predicted from people stuck at home from the pan- exceed 10 percent in 2021. a “revenge rebound” in June 2021 if the demic and as mainland stocks soared. In- The report also identified potential pandemic is under control. ♦ vestors also had more companies to choose trends in China's consumption this year, Journalist sentenced Solar probe launch scheduled A Chinese citizen Chinese Human Rights journalist who report- Defenders. Zhang was ed on COVID-19 in charged in November Wuhan last February for “false information had been sentenced on through text, video and Dec. 28, 2020, to four other media, picking years in prison follow- quarrels and provok- ing a closed-door trial. ing trouble,” and for The AIDS Healthcare giving interviews on Foundation (the largest foreign media. AIDS organization in Mike Pompeo, the world) and other then U.S. Secretary of advocates around the globe condemned the State, stated on Dec. 29, “In the face of the sentence. United Nations Human Rights Chinese Communist Party’s lies, Chinese has expressed concern over the judgement. citizen journalist Zhang Zhan’s uncen- According to the Daily Post, she is the sored reports from Wuhan gave the world a first person to be tried for “making revela- much-needed window into the outbreak of tions about the coronavirus in China.” COVID-19. She should be celebrated for Zhang Zhan exposed the cover-up of her courage – not imprisoned for it.” Since the 1960s, there have been ap- field and two major eruptive phenomena: the Chinese government’s handling and China has no free press. The govern- proximately 70 satellites launched globally solar flares and coronal mass ejections. reporting of COVID-19 that unleashed ment punishes whistleblowers and activists to study the sun, none of them from China! Most of the sun’s radiation is blocked by the the deadly virus on the world. A former who question its response to the pandemic. That will all change next year! earth’s atmosphere and a complete study of lawyer from Shanghai, Zhang reported Hong Kong’s venerable English paper China's first solar probe, Advanced the sun’s surface can only be done by satel- from various locations in Wuhan, recording South China Morning Post reported a press Space-based Solar Observatory (ASO-S), lites outside the atmospheric interference. It arrests of other journalists and harassment freedom organization identified China as the is scheduled to be launched into space in will also help with space weather forecasting of families of COVID-19 victims seeking No 1 jailer of journalists globally in 2020. the first half of 2022, marking the country's by relaying early warning of damage to the answers and accountability from the gov- Amnesty International posted a sample first-ever mission to "touch" the sun. Earth’s electromagnetic atmosphere. It will ernment. She went missing on May 14 and letter urging people to send to government Weighing a ton, the satellite is expected monitor solar storms at least 40 hours ahead her arrest in Shanghai by the authorities was officials to protest Shang’s sentence. ♦ to orbit the sun for at least four years, ac- of their arrival. confirmed on May 15 by the Network of cording to the Purple Mountain Observa- China’s solar mission was first proposed tory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in 2011 and officially approved in 2017. a research institute based in Nanjing, East China also intends to land astronauts on Pet economy China's Jiangsu province. the moon by 2030, and eventually plans to The main scientific objectives of the establish a permanent research station on down jacket. Many others probe include observing the sun's magnetic the moon’s south pole. ♦ are coming out with dog and owner matching outfits! The founder of a leading market research agency in China Call to amend national security stated, “I can imagine there law will be a specific market for those who wish to dress up The newly elected chairman of Hong in the same clothes as their Kong’s Bar Association, a veteran human pets.” rights lawyer, wants the national secu- However, the pet craze rity law (NSL) passed down from Beijing extends well beyond pet amended so other countries will reinstate outfits. “Hey Tea,” China’s extradition agreements with Hong Kong. biggest tea chain, attracted Paul Harris described himself as “deeply hundreds of animal lovers to committed to the rule of law,” said he hoped its first pet-friendly store in to explore “getting the government to agree China’s pet economy reached $33.7 bil- Shenzhen. And last July, Chinese McDoan- to some modifications” to the law as some lion in 2019 and is expected to hit $45 bil- ld’s released the silicone “Meow Meow provisions in the legislation appeared to put lion in 2020, according to a Chinese media fries clip,” a cat-claw-shaped finger toy, for some officials “above the law.” As example, consulting firm. picking up fries! Supreme is promoting a he cited Article 60 of the law, which spares is part of HK’s Basic Law. The lockdown accelerated the pet limited-edition pet bowl. mainland national security officers from po- Harris was admitted to the Bar in UK in economy via e-commerce. Luxury brands As more younger Chinese postpone or lice search, inspection and detention, while 1976. He has been practicing law in Hong are “scrambling” to get a piece of the ac- even put off altogether on having children, performing their duties in the city. Another Kong since 1993 and is fluent in Cantonese, tion. Louis Vuitton has a $300 dog collar. they become more likely to devote their provision of the NSL he’d like amended is French, German and Spanish. He founded Lauren has a line of dog outfits that matches energy to their furry companions. That Article 55, which allows people to be taken Human Rights Monitor, Hong Kong’s main its human clothing line. Italian brand means there’s big money to be made in the to mainland China, out of the jurisdiction of human rights advocacy organization, in Moncler just released a limited-edition dog pet industry! ♦ Hong Kong. Access to Hong Kong courts 1995. ♦ PAGE 4 / February 2021 business & economy www.chinainsight.info Chinese smartphone makers ready for bigger slice of global pie Main source: China Daily, Jan. 26, 2021

sales, its brand preference among Realme had entered just 35 markets at local consumers rose by 33 percent. the start of 2020, but the figure jumped to In Western Europe and Japan, 61 by the year-end, as the company fully Oppo's shipments of smartphones leveraged its advantages in e-commerce and more than doubled. Such expansion other marketing resources. has helped Oppo grow the number Because of strong competition from of users of its operating system rivals, Honor Device Co Ltd, the Chinese ColorOS close to 400 million. phone maker that has gained full indepen- Oppo also has enriched the port- dence from Huawei, is aiming to restore its folio of its IoT products, unveiled overseas business in the first two quarters of smart TVs, new smartwatches, 2021. Its CEO said the company will launch earbuds and other products. It had its latest smartphone View 40 in Russia soon purchased rights to more than 500 after the new company solved its supply patents from Ericsson, which will chain problems by inking partnerships with strengthen its technological devel- major chip suppliers. opment capacity immensely. In Honor was sold by Huawei in Novem- 2021, it will forge ahead and strive ber to a Chinese consortium of more than to become the explorer and leader in 30 agents and dealers to ensure the brand's the era of integration of all things. survival. In the context of such goals, An analyst at Canalys, a market research Oppo is not alone. Smartphone company, said it will be difficult for Honor vendors including Realme, Vivo to completely fill the void left by Huawei, and Xiaomi are intensifying efforts as other players have already eaten into to grab a bigger share in the global Huawei's market share. Chinese smartphone vendors are eye- the commercialization of the fifth-genera- smartphone market after Huawei Tech- Also, Honor will need time to prove its ing a bigger share of the global market and tion wireless technology is set to generate nologies Co's overseas phone business was strategy, especially in the face of lingering become more competitive players in the new opportunities in the IoT sector. hampered by a string of the United States policy uncertainties from the United States internet of things sector, experts said. A rising star in the smartphone market government's restrictions on its supply government. Besides Apple and Samsung on the that includes China, India and many Asian chains. In January 2021, days before the new high-cost end, the smartphone industry re- companies has announced its plans to de- Shenzhen-based Realme, launched in administration takes over, the U.S. Defense volves around lower-cost mainland Chinese velop their own custom chips. Currently mid-2018, is a fast-growing Chinese smart- Department added nine Chinese firms, in- handset makers, which have been success- the third smartphone company in China, phone brand that relies on its popularity in e- cluding Xiaomi, to a list of companies the ful in gaining global market share in recent Shenzhen-based Oppo Electronics Corp. commerce sales channels and its resonance agency claimed are owned or controlled by years. A Jan. 22 the Wall Street Journal aims to be a tech pioneer in IoT in 2021 with young consumers. China’s military. Xiaomi recently surpassed article indicated the Chinese manufactur- with a bigger presence in the high-end It will look to expand its offline presence Apple as the third-largest smartphone maker ers represent a 57 percent of market share smartphone segment, after it recorded an and enrich its IoT portfolios in 2021. It in the world. Also on the Pentagon’s list are collectively in 2020. impressive growth in the past year. plans to open more than 100 stores in India chipmaker SMIC and tech firm Huawei. In The ambitions of the Chinese companies In Southeast Asia, Oppo maintained its and Southeast Asia this year “as part of our addition, the New York Stock Exchange has come at a time when more consumers are leading position in the smartphone market. broader plan to open more than 1,000 stores begun the process of delisting three Chinese ready to upgrade their devices to 5G, while In India, as the company expanded local globally,” its CEO said. telecom company stocks last month. ♦

Here's how to improve on a 100 trillion yuan economy Source: China Daily, Jan. 21, 2021

making use of its institutional advantages growth, it needs to fundamentally improve and tapping the driving force of its domestic the business environment and make the demand based on its national conditions. market more attractive. Therefore, in 2021, However, the country must conduct a it should adjust policies in a timely manner, structural analysis of its economic growth stabilize market expectations and strengthen so that it can build on the past experience the attractiveness of the system based on and grasp the development path in 2021. changing global economic circumstances. Given that structural policies played For encouraging investment, the country a big role in China realizing positive should shift from stabilizing growth to sta- economic growth in 2020, smooth policy bilizing the economic system, and rely more transition is needed to consolidate the on stable taxation, industrial and regulatory achievements and create new ones. China policies. In terms of guiding consumption, has implemented a combination of policies instead of adopting stimulative consump- aimed at stabilizing investment, consump- tion policies it should turn to consumption tion and expectations. For example, it has upgrading, green consumption and healthy intensified investment efforts, giving full consumption. When it comes to import and play to the key role of investment in driving export, it should adhere to the principles of growth, and timely adjusted the policies not fair competition in the global industrial and conducive to stabilizing consumption. At supply chains and safeguard its development the same time, it has fully seized a window interests. China was the only major economy to However, this splendid performance of opportunity to promote its export growth. At the same time, it needs to take bold see positive growth in 2020, with the gross was not beyond expectation. After all, al- While bidding farewell to the extraor- measures to build better multilateral and domestic product exceeding 100 trillion though it must still contain sporadic clusters dinary year of 2020, China should be well bilateral mechanisms, enhance the connec- yuan ($15.46 trillion) for the first time to of infections, China has taken the lead in aware that emergency policies cannot help tivity of domestic and international circula- reach 101.6 trillion yuan, up 2.3 percent curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus it to realize long-term goals. To maintain tions, and upgrade the global industrial and over the previous year in comparable prices. and resuming production and business by the resilience and sustainability of economic supply chains. ♦ www.chinainsight.info community February 2021 / PAGE 5 Minnesota China Garden Society seeks additional funds By William Zajicek, contributor Drive, Phalen Park, St. Paul, Minnesota. https://mnchinagarden.org/st-paul- Log on to https://www.tube.com/watch changsha/. ?v=t3hbHgT9il4&feature+emblogo to see For more information, call Bill Zajicek, a video of the China Friendship Garden. president of the Minnesota China Friendship Photos of the various garden structures are Garden Society, 763-913-4438, mcfgs@ at the MCFGS website: mnchinagarden.org. ♦ Committee of 100 elects new officers and board members The Com- I’ve been honored to hold the position with mittee of 100 great respect and reverence.” announced on In addition to the officer roles, a series Jan. 15 that a of new directors were elected to begin their new team of own three-year terms as board members. officers and The Committee of 100 Board is a total of directors were 17 members. elected to help In addition to Locke, the new board Xiang Jiang Ting Pavilion lead the organi- member directors for 2021-2023 include: The St. Paul-Changsha China Friendship in 2015. Phase I included a Hmong Heri- zation in 2021 Richard Lee, chairman and CEO of Garden, located in Phalen Park, Saint Paul, tage Wall, the Xiang Jiang Pavilion, plazas, and beyond. Amsino Medical Group; Mei-Mei Tuan, is seeking additional funds ($160,000) to rock work and the west entrance Archway Former Secretary of Commerce, U.S. founder and managing partner of Phoenyx complete Phase I of the garden construction Gate. Other work to be completed in Phase ambassador to China, and governor of Partners; Debra Wong Yang, partner at and begin Phase II. I include planting more trees, shrubs and Washington State Gary Locke was elected Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; and Nancy Yuan, The Minnesota China Friendship Gar- flowers; creating and installing artistic cal- by members as chair-elect, and will take senior vice president and director, Wash- den Society (MCFGS) began a New Year ligraphy stones; and installing a seven-ton over as chairman from H. Roger Wang at ington of The Asia Foundation; Philip Ma, Matching Gift Challenge to raise funds last China Garden naming stone. the May 2021 Annual Meeting. CEO, president and founder of PrognomiQ December and will end Feb. 28, 2021. The Founders, board members and advisors Serving with Locke on the senior leader- was elected to his second three-year term state of Minnesota, through its state Legacy have pledged $76,850, and when matched ship team will be Charlie Woo, co-founder as director. and Bonding funds and private donors, have by other donations at the end of February, and CEO of Megatoys, who was elected as All Committee of 100 directors and provided close to $1 million restricted for Phase I will be completed and Phase II can vice chair; John Chiang, former California officers are members of the organization. Phase II, some of which must be spent by begin. Phase II will include a Hmong Plaza, State Treasurer, who was elected as CFO; Committee of 100 holds elections for chair- 2022. extension of the Pavilion garden to the wa- and Wilson Chu, partner in the law firm of man every three years. ♦ MCFGS is working with the Saint Paul ter’s edge, a donor wall, the east entrance McDermott Will & Emery LLP, who was Department of Parks & Recreation, the Moon Gate, and the Chinese Moon Bridge. re-elected as general counsel & secretary. Committee of 100 (C100) is a nonprofit Phalen Park neighborhood, and the Twin Donations of any size are welcome and “I am excited about the energy, passion U.S. leadership organization of prominent Cities Hmong and Chinese communities to will be doubled to the Match. Donations at and commitment Gary Locke and the leader- and extraordinary Chinese Americans in inform the design and build the garden. In the $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 levels will ship team will bring to their roles and keep business, government, academia, health- Changsha, China, Saint Paul’s sister city, the qualify the donor to be a Groundbreaker, and the Committee of 100 top of mind on issues care, and the arts. Founded by the late Hunan Jianke architectural firm continues to will be recognized on the donor wall. All surrounding Chinese Americans,” said world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and provide design direction for the garden us- donations will be used to complete Phase I Wang. “When my term as chairman comes internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, ing Chinese building and garden principles. and begin Phase II. to a close, I’ll look forward to continuing among others, it is an institution of U.S. The China Friendship Garden began in Anyone who wishes to visit the China my active involvement in Committee of 100 citizens of Chinese heritage. 2011 with funding for the design received Friendship Garden may go to 1640 Phalen and supporting the team in any way I can.

Events Virtual China Business Conference - Winter Edition Date: Feb. 8-10 Contact: [email protected] The China Business Conference is the Day 2, Tuesday, Feb. 9 Charlene Barshefsky, Senior International Former U.S. National Security Advisor premier forum in the United States for 8-8:50 a.m. | Perspectives on China: The Partner, WilmerHale; Former United States David Hoffman, Senior Vice President Asia exchanging ideas on U.S.-China economic Economy, Politics, and Geo-Strategy Trade Representative and Managing Director of the China Center and commercial relations, and for helping 8:50-9 a.m. | Break Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President for Economics & Business, The Conference to shape the bilateral policy agenda. Nearly 9-9:50 a.m. | A Conversation on China with and Head of International, U.S. Chamber of Board 300 high-level corporate, government, and Former Treasury Secretaries Commerce Mikko Huotari, Executive Director, MER- academic influencers attend the conference 9:50 10 a.m. | Break Alain Crozier, Corporate Vice President, ICS each year. Past speakers have included cur- 10-10:50 a.m. | Perspectives on U.S. Policy Chairman and CEO, Microsoft Greater Chris Johnson, President and CEO, China rent and former Administration officials, Toward China: What a Biden Administra- China Region Strategies Group CEOs and business leaders, and members tion Means Tom Donilon, Chairman, BlackRock In- Roberta Lipson, CEO and Founder; United of Congress. 8-8:50 p.m. | Managing Reputational Risk vestment Institute; Former U.S. National Family Healthcare; CEO, New Frontier and Upholding Values – How Should West- Security Advisor Health Agenda ern Companies Adjust to New Realities? Tom Donohue, CEO, U.S. Chamber of Jim McGregor, Chairman, APCO World- Tmes are listed in Eastern Standard Time Commerce wide Greater China (EST) Day 3, Wednesday, Feb. 10 Charles Freeman, Senior Vice President, Hank Paulson, Founder and Chairman, Schedule and topics are subject to change. 9-9:50 a.m. | Unpacking Plurilateral Co- Asia, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Paulson Institute operation Michèle Flournoy, Co-Founder and Man- Karen Sutter, Specialist in Asian Trade and Day 1, Monday, Feb. 8 9:50-10 a.m. | Break aging Partner, WestExec Advisors Finance, Congressional Research Service 9 - 9:10 a.m. | Opening remarks 10-10:50 a.m. | The Bilateral Cooperative Al Gabor, President, Merck China; EVP, Jeremie Waterman, President, U.S. Cham- 9:10 -10 a.m. | A Conversation with Former Agenda Performance Materials China ber of Commerce China Center National Security Advisors About China Greg Gilligan, Chairman, AmCham China Lingling Wei, Reporter, Wall Street Journal 10 -10:10 a.m. | Break Confirmed speakers Stephen J. Hadley, Principal, Hadley, Joerg Wuttke, President, EU Chamber of 10:10 -11 a.m. | Congressional Views on Noah Barkin, Managing Editor, Rhodium Gates & Manuel LLC; Chair of the Board of Commerce ♦ China Group; Senior Visiting Fellow, GM Directors, United States Institute of Peace; PAGE 6 / February 2021 health www.chinainsight.info Communicating with your American-born children during COVID-19 pandemic: presented as part of Asian Media Access’ Mental Wellness Campaign by Zihui Lu, Ph.D., contributor

In January 2020, the first COVID-19 Since both parents and children are life. Below are some suggestions on how tions can easily affect you. You need to case was confirmed in the US. In March, experiencing mental crisis, it is not hard to communicate with your kids of two age learn to separate your emotions from your schools were closed, and we were required to understand why parent-child conflicts groups: before and during puberty2. children’s, and to let them know that they to shelter-in-place. Today, a year later, no increased during pandemic. Moreover, the need to be responsible for their own emo- one knows when it will end. uniqueness of Chinese American families Before puberty tions. By doing so, you teach your children As a parenting coach and mother of two has given us more challenges. Chinese When children are young, they need a an important life skill: emotional adulthood, children, I noticed that the pandemic has parents are influenced by the Chinese cul- lot of quality time with their parents. The which means taking full responsibility for caused a lot of mental crises for parents. ture, such as: collectivism, following the main task of parents at this stage is to build one’s own emotions. For example, many parents need to work authority, and the “face” culture, whereas a strong bond with their children, and give 3. Make your points indirectly. You may from home and take care of their online- the American-born children identify with the children a lot of emotional support by letting want to talk with your children about some learning children at the same time, which American culture, such as: individualism, them know that no matter what happens, serious issues, but sometimes it doesn’t makes them very tired and stressed. Having independence, etc. The cultural differences parents will always be there for them. Many work so well to talk with them directly, to stay with each other 24/7 surely causes have caused some conflicts between parents parents worry that their children won’t lis- because this may make them feel pressured more conflicts among family members. and children during the pandemic. ten. They need to understand that children or patronized. It may work better if you talk Before the pandemic, although work and are more likely to listen to them if a strong about yourself or use someone else’s stories childcare are exhausting, parents can at bond exists. and make your points indirectly. least recharge themselves by traveling, hav- How to build a strong bond with your 4. No one likes a nagging parent. Therefore, ing some leisure time, and socializing with children? Parents may learn to listen and try to keep your messages succinct and friends. However, these activities are next ask questions like a coach, and give their powerful. to impossible during the pandemic. children unconditional acceptance. For ex- There are no perfect parents, and there On the other hand, life is hard for chil- ample, every evening before bed, chat with are no perfect children. During pandemic, dren too. Lots of families decided to let your child(ren) about things that happened everyone in the family needs extra care and their children do online learning, therefore, that day. Ask “what good or bad things support. Parents need to take care of them- children can no longer have regular face- happened today? What made you feel mad selves first, because only when their cups to-face interactions with their teachers or or grateful? What do you look forward to are full, will they have extra love for chil- classmates. Many children miss hanging out tomorrow?” Also share your day with them. dren. When problems arise, don’t blaming with their friends and some of them have The questions are not intent to probe or anyone but find a solution together. If you trouble adjusting to the new learning mode. lecture; but are based on care and curiosity. find it difficult to handle the problem alone, No camps, no sports, no museums, no zoos Therefore, parents need to understand No matter how rough the day was, these it is a good idea to seek professional help. … No wonder some children are feeling how the cross-generational cultural differ- conversation often calm children down and Each coaching conversation is confidential, bored, isolated and depressed, and some ences play a role in the parent-child conflict. connect parent and child. tailored to each family’s unique needs. ♦ spend too much time on computer gaming. They also need to know how to improve Besides quality time with parents, young Research shows suicides among children parent-child communication in order to children also need to build good habits such About Asian Media Access have increased during pandemic1. help their kids live a happier and healthier as sleeping and rising early, completing Asian Media Access, Inc. is a com- homework on time, and be respectful to prehensive, multimedia-based community others. This means parents need to set clear advocacy agency. It is dedicated to using rules and boundaries. Here is a nice meta- multimedia arts and technology as tools for phor: “parents are like road guardrails. They social betterment. This winter, AMA hosted will surely be hit many times by children, the Cultural Broker program in support of Wanted: but their job is to stand their ground firmly mental wellness for the Asian American with love. Clear boundaries will protect communities in Minnesota. This article is children and make them feel safe.” the first in the series. For more information, ONLINE please contact [email protected], English Language Teachers During puberty 612-376-7715. To get along with children during pu- berty, parents need extra knowledge and About the author skills besides the two points mentioned Zihui Lu ([email protected]) obtained Would you like to help Chinese students in above. Children are going through so many her doctorate degree in Psychology from grades 6-12 polish their spoken and written changes during puberty. It is quite normal the University of Toronto and is an ICF- English skills (and, occasionally, history and for children in this age group to be in a certified life coach at the ACC level. She literature)? We are hiring native English-speaking perfectly good mood, but one minute later teaches three MOOC courses on the topics teachers to teach ESL (different levels) or high storm out and slam the door because of of "Emotion Regulation", "Goal Manage- school U.S. history or literature. something you unintentionally said or did. ment", and "Self-confidence Building." She It does not necessarily mean you have done had also worked as a research scientist at Teach from our Twin Cities cloud-classroom setup something wrong. Family Social Science Department of the or your home office. Teaching will usually take The following tips may help you com- University of Minnesota. place in the evenings (6-10 p.m.), early mornings municate with your children better during (6-8 a.m.), or weekends. Number of hours are puberty: Footnotes flexible. Rates are from $15 to $40 per hour 1. Don’t offer unsolicited advice or help. 1. Balachandran, A.K., Alagarsamy, S. & based on the course requirements and the Parents need to keep a distance from their Mehrolia, S. (2020). Suicide among children children so the children can develop their during Covid-19 pandemic: An alarming teacher’s experience. much-needed free will and independence. social issue. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, Teaching experience is required. Teaching license is preferred, but not necessary. However, parents also need to let children December (54), 1024206. doi: 10.1016/j. know they will always be there for them ajp.2020.102420 If interested, please contact Richard at 612-987-6540 or [email protected]. whenever needed. 2. Nowadays, most researchers agree that 2. Don’t let children’s emotions affect you. children enter puberty at around 8-9 years During puberty, children ride emotional old. Girls start puberty earlier than boys. rollercoasters every day, and their emo-

Thank you for 球 知 教 育 集 团 reading China Insight Since 2001 www.chinainsight.info people February 2021 / PAGE 7 Local national speedskating champion driven, coping with pandemic disruption By Elaine Dunn, February 2021

your “off-day” working with your students who have passions in and outside of physical therapist. Did you suffer a high school. New for me this year is PSEO skating injury? (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options). I was accepted into the PSEO program at the It is not absolutely certain the cause of Jia: University of Minnesota. It’s been really my lateral meniscus tear. In January 2019 I interesting taking college courses. I have had new equipment and the knee was both- been exploring the social sciences. ering me for a few weeks. In Lake Placid, I won the US Jr National Championships CI: What are your educational plans and was elated … but after I came home, for the future and are you still study- my knee hurt. I was playing basketball at ing Chinese? school - and with one pivot, I went down. Surgery at Mayo Clinic took place on Jia: Being a high school junior, I am just Feb, 27, 2019. I faced a long rehab. For one starting to think about college. My sister, year my goal was to return strong enough Sky Li, is studying biology and environmen- to do well at competitions such as Pack tal science in Colorado. It’s fun to visit her Nationals. on campus and imagine what my life might be like in a few years. My plans are to keep CI: How much influence does your as high grades/GPA as possible and to keep “nai nai” (grandmother Janet Car- my options open. penter) have on you? After attending Chinese immersion school (Yinghua Academy) from K-8, last As far as my grandmother’s influence, Jia: year I did AP Chinese with MN Online High Photo credit: Mary Bos it is significant.Nai nai is my biggest boost- School. I took up Spanish at DeLaSalle as Whether the 2022 Winter Olympics “Well, as a little girl I wasn’t keen on er and is at the side of the rink during every a third language. will take place as planned in Beijing or not the outfits. I insisted upon wearing my cape local race (even in sub-zero temps!). Some- (China Insight, January 2021) is anyone’s and mask every time I was on the ice – and times she travels to Milwaukee with me too CI: What other interest are you pas- guess at this point, but to the many hopeful I wanted to go fast!” she said. (as she did the weekend of Jan. 23-24). I sionate about? participants, their training and laser-sharp Speed and drive, that’s huge with Jia, hope she can join me in Salt Lake City and focus are on getting to one of the three who generally competes in four metric dis- Calgary where I compete each year as those Jia: I like music a lot. For years I played medal-winning podiums in their event in tances at each competition: 500m, 1000m, were the cities she judged Olympic figure the cello. Now it’s mainly guitar and bass. whatever city it may take place. 1500m and 3000m. Her training is intense. skating. She was inducted into U.S. Figure Playing with the school orchestra is just an These athletes have spent their entire Skating Hall of Fame in 2008. Now, at 88, enjoyable part of my day. I also write, and lives practicing, training and competing at China Insight (CI): How much do you she still judges local figure skating tests, am co-editor of our high school newspaper. local, state and national levels. Few make practice? and advises skaters and coaches in places it to the Olympics, but most dream of that like Shattuck-St. Mary’s. She’s amazing. CI: Whom do you credit most with Jia: In the summer I often train twice a opportunity. She emphasizes balance. And she tells me providing the drive to succeed? day. During the season I skate after school One promising athlete in our own back- to only continue as long as I’m having fun. four days a week (outdoors), and we skate Jia: My family motivates me and makes yard is speedskater Jia Griffiths. metric time trials on Saturday mornings. On this all possible – the travel, the driving, A little background on the sport: A my off-day I used to work with my physi- financing equipment, seeking sponsors, long track speedskating oval is 400 meters; cal therapist, but now I appreciate that day and just making sure I sleep and eat! And I there are only four in the country. One of of rest. When the long track ice goes out have been privileged with some truly great the outdoor ovals is here in Roseville (Jia’s in March, we move inside for short track coaches over the years, and a supportive “home ice”), and the other, at Lake Placid, skating to cross-train on a 111-meter rink Midway Speedskating Club. US Speeds- New York. The covered ovals are the Pet- (hockey size sheet of ice). During the off- kating deserves credit for offering training tit National Ice Center in Milwaukee and season we also in-line (on rollers) and attend camps and providing access to some incred- the Utah Olympic Oval in Salt Lake City. in-line marathons. On weekends, I do long ibly inspiring athletes. But the drive and my Besides the various distance races, there is distance biking with my team. competitive nature are internal – I just came also a team pursuit event, and a mass start At least, that was our general rou- programmed that way. ♦ event, which is a little like a NASCAR race. tine before COVID-19! Last April I was That will make its way into the next Winter headed to a camp in Colorado Springs at Editor’s note: All competitive athletes and Olympics. the U.S. Olympic Training Center when their families take on significant expenses. At the Pack National Speedskating COVID-19 derailed those plans. For a Should you wish to contribute to Jia’s train- Championships held in Roseville the week- few months we sheltered at home. Cau- ing, please contact her family at JillG@ end of Feb. 22-23, 2020, Jia skated five tiously, we approached summer training, umn.edu. distances: 500m, 800m, 1000m, 1500m and outdoors and online, including a training 3000m. The 3000m was her longest distance camp with champion speedskater Brittany – approximately two miles. She broke the Bowe, which I enjoyed, even though it met record (Ladies Junior B) for outdoor ice virtually. in the 800m. “I was just really excited to be on top of the podium at the end of the Jia Griffiths with her grandmother Janet CI: How else has the pandemic im- weekend!” she said. Carpenter after a race pacted the sport? Jia has been part of Midway Speeds- Photo credit: Jill Griffiths kating Club at the John Rose Oval and a Jia: I was hopeful for the season ahead. member of US Speedskating since 2010. Then, because of mandates due to COVID, CI: Have you trained elsewhere? She arrived in Minnesota from Chenzhou, ice was delayed in Minnesota, so our season Yes, in elementary school my mother Hunan Province, at the age of 16 months. did not start on time. Of course, safeguard- Jia: and I spent one year in Harbin where my Her adoptive family was more than your ing from the virus has affected our ability mom was working. I had the opportunity to run-of-the-mill Minnesotan winter sport to train the way we are accustomed to. Like train for a season both short track and long enthusiasts: her maternal grandmother is everyone, athletes have been dramatically track with a Chinese coach and team. And none other than Janet Carpenter, the only impacted.” one summer I spent a few weeks in Calgary. U.S. woman to have held multiple roles in National speedskating competitions the Winter Olympics: a figure-skating com- were stalled, such as the Am-Cup series. petitor (1952 Oslo), team leader (Sarajevo And, just announced, the International Skat- CI: How do you balance skating and 1984) and judge (Calgary 1988 and Salt ing Union cancelled the 2021 World Junior schoolwork? Lake City 2002). Speed Skating Championships scheduled Jia: I stay up late most nights doing home- Both Jia and her sister started figure for mid-February in Japan. work. And Sundays are usually big home- skating by age 4. Her sister stayed with it work days! DeLaSalle is pretty rigorous. Jia Griffiths training in the summer while Jia migrated to speedskating. Why? CI: You mentioned you used to spend But I feel they also support me and the other Photo credit: Jill Griffiths PAGE 8 / February 2021 arts & culture www.chinainsight.info After fire, MOCA presents Chinese American history online On Jan. 23, 2020, almost 85,000 histori- the first time a multimedia-augmented vir- cal Chinese American artifacts – the largest tual tour of “With a Single Step: Stories collection of its kind in the world - were in the Making of America,” MOCA’s nearly destroyed by a 5-alarm fire at the Mu- permanent exhibition that tells the story seum of Chinese in America’s (MOCA) 70 of 200 years of Chinese American history. Mulberry St. location. Now, one year later Using the “Street View” feature, people can in partnership with Google, MOCA made explore MOCA virtually, selecting works hundreds of digitized images of objects, that interest them and clicking to discover sculptures, letters, photos and videos from more or diving into the high-resolution im- its collections available for viewing for free ages, where available. on the Google Arts & Culture digital plat- A specially designed “Street View trol- form and on its app, available for download ley” took 360-degree images of selected on Android and iOS. galleries that were then stitched together, MOCA’s new virtual exhibition titled enabling smooth navigation of nine rooms “Trial by Fire: The Race to Save 200 within the Museum such as Down with Years of Chinese American History” Monopolies! The Chinese Must Go!, a tells the story of the Museum’s race against section that examines the political climate the clock to retrieve, rescue, and repair its leading up to and the painful legacy of the archives, the largest collection of Chinese 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act; and Building American artifacts in the world. “Trial Community which showcases an old gen- by Fire” is an original MOCA exhibition eral store as a composite of salvaged objects written, researched and compiled from the and memories from Chinatown stores across Museum’s daily social media posts, primary America (Los Angeles, Boston and New Photos of MOCA's Collections and Research Center were taken two weeks before the fire. sources such as videos and images, public York City). These are the final images of this beloved space. records and news reports that documented Each of the nine rooms shown in the the first critical weeks of the fire, its after- virtual exhibition is enhanced and supple- math and recovery effort afterward. mented with video and audio to enable In addition, more than 200 digitized further immersion into the content of each Left: Handwritten high-resolution images from MOCA’s col- section of the Museum. letters, photos, oral lections are available for the first time on the In addition, users of Google Arts & Cul- histories, paintings, platform as well as digital exhibits of “With ture will be able to watch videos from “My store signs, textiles, a Single Step: Stories in the Making of MOCA Story,” a crowdsourced storytell- sculptures, film reels, furniture and other America,” MOCA’s permanent exhibition, ing project for the public to respond to the artifacts documented and the “My MOCA Story” video project, anxieties of lockdown at the height of the the rich history of the a crowdsourced social-media storytelling Chinese experience in project launched by MOCA at the onset of America. the COVID-19 pandemic. These are available at https:// artsandculture.google.com/partner/ COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The Chinese Americans and the Chinese dias- museum-of-chinese-in-america. project prompted people to record 1-minute pora resisting coronavirus-fueled hate with “One of the unexpected silver linings videos of themselves showing and sharing incredible acts of compassion, generosity, of this period of time are creative and the story behind a precious family heirloom and creative and artistic expression. Email intentional new partnerships. MOCA is in their home. The project is ongoing and [email protected] to submit a story, incredibly grateful to Google Arts & Cul- MOCA invites the public to share a story images, videos or text, or to invite MOCA ture to expand MOCA’s usership which video that will be added to MOCA’s Collec- to record an oral history interview virtually will inevitably broaden the much-needed tions on Google Arts & Culture. Videos may with you. scholarship in the areas related to the Chi- be submitted through MOCA’s social media Finally, browse the MOCA Shop by nese American narrative in America,” said Among the recovered artifacts are costumes channels at #mymocastory or by emailing Pearl River online for a collection of unique Nancy Yao Maasbach, president of MOCA. from MOCA's Chinese Musical and Theatri- [email protected]. gifts inspired by MOCA’s exhibitions, and cal Association (CMTA) collection, acquired An additional ongoing project is the shop online at in 1989, and artifacts from the Alex Jay, Virtual tour using “Street View” MOCA OneWorld COVID-19 special https://pearlriver.com/collections/museum- Virginia Moy and Way Gar Wong collections. Viewers will be able to experience for collection that is documenting stories of of-chinese-in-america. ♦

Chinese New Year do’s and don’ts By Elaine Dunn, February 2021

a fresh start for the new year. Pay special people trying to get home. It is one of the curbed recently. More than 139 cities have attention to the kitchen so the Kitchen God world’s largest human migration on display. banned fireworks entirely, and hundreds will not be offended! He is an emissary of Billions of domestic trips are taken before more have imposed strict limits. One will the Emperor of Heaven to visit and report and after the holiday. Families gather for a no longer be hearing firecrackers going off back on what the family has done during the reunion dinner and at midnight, the younger year. Many kitchens used to have a picture generation would show respect to the elders. of the Kitchen God and families would place In return, the elders would gift hong baos a bowl of sticky rice in front of it. The idea (red packets filled with cash) to the younger is if the Kitchen God’s mouth is full of glu- generation(s). Even little kids are encour- tinous rice, he can’t speak! Also, glutinous aged to stay up past midnight – old wives’ Typical couplets pasted on doorway for rice balls served in a bowl of sweet broth tale is that the longer the kids stay up that Chinese New Year is also put out to bribe the Kitchen God to night, the longer the parents will live! Feb. 12 will be start of the Year of the say good things about the family. After his Then comes the firecrackers! The fire- Ox, which, according to Chinese tradition, “dinner,” the Kitchen God’s picture is burnt works serve more than just as entertainment. is a symbol for wealth. So … here are a few to send hm back to heaven. Their loud explosive noise is believed to tips on how to ring the year in the Chinese New Year’s Eve is big-family reunion drive away evil spirits. So, set them off, the way. time for Chinese. That’s why all the trains, more the merrier. Unfortunately, owing to Clean your house! This is symbolic of planes and roads in China leading up to Beijing’s campaign for cleaner air, the age- Smoke and debris from setting off firecrackers sweeping out the bad luck and preparing for New Year’s Eve are all jam-packed with old custom of this explosive fun has been Continued on page 9 www.chinainsight.info arts & culture February 2021 / PAGE 9

Enjoy the lucky Year of the Ox!

May the resilient spirit of the Ox fi ll your year with luck, wealth, and good health.

© 2021 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Chinese New Year do’s and don’ts Continued from page 8 at all times of day (and night) anymore. you pour water outside the home or let water only is asking for return of debt owed around This next item will be dear to Nancy flow from your home (as in doing laundry!), the New Year bad form, it is also a Chinese Reagan’s heart: wear red! Wear as much red you’re letting wealth escape! New Year taboo. as you can – socks, underwear, sweaters, It follows that if you cannot clean or Avoid using scissors the first lunar dress, caps, coats … as red is considered one sweep, you need extra care in handling any month as its use is viewed as an omen for of the luckiest colors in Chinese traditions. breakables as it is very bad luck to break a possible quarrels with others and severing It symbolizes loyalty, success, happiness, bowl, plate, glass, vase or mirror because of relationships. wealth and good fortune. Not only is one that means a loss of money and/or family No haircuts during the first lunar month to dress in red, one also should decorate splitting up. However, should you do break for it indicates the death of one’s mother's one’s home in red as well to ward off the something, pick up with and wrap the pieces brother. I have no clue why this is so, why mythological monster Nian. There are spe- in a red cloth, and only throw the lot out on this particular relative is singled out, or Gold ingot and savory dumplings cial open air and night markets leading up the fifth day of the New Year. how this came about, but that’s the story to New Year’s Eve where people would go bolic meanings! Why dumplings? On New Don’t use bad words! Well … this I’ve been told. and buy lanterns, couplets, flowers (plum Year’s Eve, the round glutinous rice tong should be year-round, but especially criti- Do not let the pasta jars, rice barrel or blossom branches are especially popular) yuans filled with black sesame, red bean or cal around New Year. Do not use negative goods in your pantry go empty or even reach and fruit plants to decorate their homes. Red peanut paste are eaten because the round words (breaking, running out, death, ghost, low levels. It’s a sign of inability to replen- paper couplets expressing good wishes are shape represents togetherness and union. killing, sickness, pain, losing and poverty). ish, of poverty. Keep them filled and full, pasted around the front door. The savory variety, jiaozi, usually is eaten And cursing someone out is absolutely especially just before the New Year. Share your wealth! This is where the on New Year’s Day because their shape taboo! As is starting a quarrel! This probably is only a fraction of the little red packets, hong bao, come in. The resembles ancient gold or silver ingots, Stock up on books before the new many customs/superstitions surrounding money in the red packets is supposed to therefore, wealth! Traditionally, home-made year as the Cantonese word for “book” is Chinese New Year. Yes, some or all of these “anchor the year” and represent good luck. dumplings may include a coin hidden in one a homonym for “lose.” Therefore, if you may sound absurd, but most people are glad How much to give? Northern Chinese favor of them (much like plum pudding in the buy books during the 15-day Chinese New to abide by them for fear of finding out whole numbers. People in southern China UK!) and the person who eats that dumpling Year observance, you’re asking for bad luck. first-hand whether they are true or absurd! ♦ stick with the “lucky” numbers of six and can expect good fortune in the new year. Likewise, do not give anyone a book during eight. And, the closer the relationship, the (Details on other auspicious foods eaten that period either! larger the amount. Of course, we all know around Chinese New Year are available in No napping in the afternoon on New who our chintzy friends and relatives are previous issues of China Insight: 2018-2, Year’s Day as it is believed that would cause – they’re the ones who pass out “skinny” p.6; 2016-2, p.5; 2015-1, p.8.) laziness the rest of the year. Besides, when packets at New Year! Finally, where I came Now, for the fun stuff! What you should there are visitors on that day, it is impolite from, only married folks need to pass out red NOT do during Chinese New Year. for the host to be asleep. packets. So … stay single if you’re miserly! Stop cleaning and doing laundry! Lending and borrowing should be Pay off your debts! Yes, don’t let your Sounds good to me! On New Year’s Day, avoided at all cost! Do not lend or borrow debt carry over to the new year. Pay it off do not sweep the house or wash your hair! anything on New Year’s Day, especially so you can start with a clean slate. It’s a Otherwise, you’ll clean away the good luck. money. Lending money is an unlucky omen, good feeling. For the first two days, do NOT do laundry as which signifies economical loss, so people Typical Chinese New Year Tray of Eat up! Dumplings, fish, candied fruits, you will offend the Water God. In Canton- should not offend friends or neighbors by Togetherness with six or eight sections filled sweets and watermelon seeds all have sym- ese, water is a colloquial term for wealth. If borrowing something from them. And, not with candy, melon seeds, chocolate “gold” coins and other treats PAGE 10 / February 2021 books www.chinainsight.info “The Myth of Chinese Capitalism: The Worker, the Factory, and the Future of the World” by Dexter Roberts

Reviewed by Jonathan Chatwin, Asian Review of Books, Dec. 29, 2020

Authors: Dexter Roberts Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Publication date: March 2020 Hardcover: 288 pages

Dexter Roberts is a writer, speaker, and analyst on China economics, busi- ness and politics. Previously he served as reporter and China bureau chief for Bloomberg Businessweek and was based in Beijing for more than two decades.

He has interviewed numerous Chinese and foreign company CEOs, as well as senior government officials, and has reported from all of China’s provinces and regions including Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mongolia and North Korea

Titling a book “The Myth of Chinese essentially second-class citizens, however, economic growth, a much stronger and more subtle and detailed understanding Capitalism” invites prospective readers unable to access services for themselves less brittle China is supposed to emerge. of the current crossroads at which China to expect an unraveling of this singular, or their children in the cities where they The myth says that China’s development stands. The book is a readable and engaging definite-articled story. It also suggests, worked. This part of the story is well- path and authoritarian system will be- guide to the challenges the current leader- to this reader at least, weighty theoretical known, though Roberts reveals some of the come a model for countries around the ship faces in replicating the supercharged contents, including perhaps tables and pie- story’s hidden iniquities in a detailed and world and perhaps replace the already economic growth to which some of China’s charts. Dexter Roberts’s book is no work of compelling section on migrant children’s battered Western one of freer markets population, at least, have become accus- dense economic theory, however, nor does schooling. and individual rights. tomed over the last four decades. ♦ it pretend to have uncovered some singular The economic advantages conferred Attempting to demonstrate the hollow- narrative of China’s development. Rather, by this sanctioned exploitation of migrant ness of this myth, Roberts’ book excavates it is lucid, personal, nuanced—and rather workers have, however, begun to diminish the shaky foundations on which China’s About the reviewer difficult to summarize. in recent years (partly as a result, happily, recent economic success is based. This is In part, it is a first-person account of the of improved labor laws). However, the past an ambitious undertaking, and the book’s Jonathan Chatwin is the author of author’s experience of encounters in two reliance on this model is causing contem- geographical and temporal scope sometimes travelogue Long Peace Street: A walk contrasting provinces in the south, prosper- porary headaches for the Chinese govern- proves a little disorienting as the author in modern China. He holds a PhD in ous Guangdong — China’s most economi- ment. As manufacturing jobs reduce — and recounts visits to diverse parts of China, English Literature, and is author of cally successful area — and poorer, more with automation now a key part of China’s while also moving back and forth between Anywhere Out of the World, a literary rural Guizhou, to the west, where, as an old industrial ambitions — migrant workers past and present stories of the Mo family. biography of the traveller and writer saying goes: “No three days are clear, no are no longer needed in the same numbers. One comes away from “The Myth of Bruce Chatwin (no relation). three feet of land are level, and no one has China’s government would like these people Chinese Capitalism,” however, with a far three ounces of silver.” Recounting visits either to take jobs in service industries, made over the course of nearly two decades preferably in cities the government has Government & Politics to both Dongguan in Guangdong, a manu- ordained as acceptable (places like Beijing facturing town famous as the “Factory of the and Shanghai are most definitely not on the World,” and Binghua village in Guizhou, the list, as China’s leaders seek to “civilize” Annual meeting of China’s book could perhaps have been subtitled “A the tier one cities, as it is euphemistically Tale of Two Towns.” The link between the put) or return to their home provinces to top legislature starts two places, and one of the structural devices drive economic prosperity there through around which the book is built, is the Mo entrepreneurism. Neither ambition seems March 4 family, originally from Binghua, whose easy to achieve, but the simple fact is that China will hold its annual “Two Ses- this year. various members move between Guizhou China must grow its middle class and drive sions” of its top legislative and political 2021 marks the beginning of China’s and Guangdong in search of work, part of up domestic consumption in order to avoid advisory bodies in Beijing in March. Thou- 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic China’s sizeable migrant worker population. the so-called “middle-income trap.” The sands of national lawmakers and political and Social Development and the Long Roberts’ experiences with the Mo fam- room to maneuver as China attempts to pull advisors will be gathered at the capital to Range Objectives through 2035. Since ily, which began the year before China off this magic trick is even more limited in cover every aspect of China’s development 1953, China’s Five-Year Plans have been joined the World Trade Organisation in the wake of the US-China trade war and and the peoples’ well-being. the single most important guiding document 2001, lead to detours into detailed discus- Covid-19. The country’s top political body, the Chi- signaling policy direction for its economic sions of the underlying problems caused by Roberts’s book is an exploration of nese People’s Political Consultative Confer- and social development. This year also the economic models Guizhou and Guang- these complexities, drawing on over 20 ence will begin its session on March 4. marks the 100th founding anniversary of dong respectively embody. years of reporting experience in China for The National People’s Congress, Chi- the Communist Party of China. The cities of the Pearl River Delta in Bloomberg Businessweek. His thesis is that na’s top legislature, will start its annual The 2020 “Two Sessions” did not set any Guangdong have, along with other coastal received wisdom has got China wrong. That session on March 5. annual GDP growth target given the impact regions, been the engines of China’s double- is the myth of the title: a straightforward The government usually determines of COVID-19. Instead, it prioritized its digit growth over recent decades. However, narrative which its annual economic targets at these ses- goals to stabilizing employment, alleviating their success was in large part driven by the says that the country is on an inexora- sions, so the “sessions” will be watched poverty and preventing risks. low cost of migrant labor, as rural young ble path toward a vastly expanded middle by economists and politicians around the In May 2020, China President Xi Jing- people relocated from places like Guizhou class at home, with cutting-edge technol- world, especially since China is projected ping proposed a two-pronged development to more prosperous coastal cities. China’s ogy and powerful companies dominating to be the world’s only major economy that hukou system meant that these workers were markets abroad. Fueled by continued will register a positive economic growth Continued on page 11 www.chinainsight.info government & politics February 2021 / PAGE 11 Annual meeting of China’s top legislature starts March 4

Continued from page 10 ANCIENT MEDICINE FOR MODERN HEALTHCARE

Diversity Scholarships strategy that involved mutual reinforcement discussion. Four sectors: energy, railway, Available of domestic and international markets to telecommunications and public utilities Receive 50% spur consumption patterns and, to hedge industries, will likely benefit from special Off Tuition against external shock from the global market-oriented reforms. environment. This proposal will entail poli- Of course, with COVID-19 still very cies that will create supply systems more much in the news, healthcare and public Join a growing integrative healthcare movement and help improve compatible and conducive to “expanding health policies will plan center stage, no lives by providing non-invasive and drug-free treatments domestic demand.” doubt. as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine. Considering the heightened U.S.-China China’s return to the standard March trade war, implementation of “tech self- schedule for the “Two Sessions” recon- ChiropracticMassageMassage • Massage Therapy Therapy Therapy •• AcupunctureAcupuncture • Acupuncture && ChineseChinese & Chinese Medicine Medicine Medicine sufficiency” may be ramped up. Chip manu- firms that Chinese political, economic and facturing will likely be the key focus in the social life are resuming normality after the nwhealth.edu/ChinaInsight [email protected] 952-885-5409952-885-5409 952-885-5409 next five years. More support for businesses coronavirus. ♦ and entrepreneurs will probably come up for nwhealth.edu/ChinaInsightnwhealth.edunwhealth.edu HKDC spells out priorities for the Biden- Harris administration Hong Kong within the first 100 days • Reorient U.S. trade negotiation with the • Appoint and designate a Special Coordina- PRC and press our allies to focus on hu- tor for Hong Kong issues man rights in negotiating trade agreements with Beijing 2. Protect Hong Kongers in • Rebuild a global market formed of democ- Hong Kong and abroad: racies to reduce allies’ and partners’ reliance • Provide Hong Kongers who face well- on the China market founded fears of persecution an opportunity • File a case before the International Court of to emigrate from, or not be compelled to Justice to hold the PRC accountable for vio- return to Hong Kong, including the use of lating its commitments in the Sino-British humanitarian parole and Temporary Protec- Joint Declaration tive Status • Prioritize relevant agency reviews of • Restore specific policies and programs China’s global influence in international benefiting Hong Kongers, such as treatment organizations and groups such as the United of Hong Kong as autonomous from the PRC Nations, World Health Organization, etc. for immigration and visa processing • Urge like-minded nations’ representa- • Promote civil society exchanges and tives to the United Nations to press for the academic freedom through student visas for appointment of a United Nations special Screenshot of HKDC's website home page Hong Kongers to study in the U.S., restora- mandate holder to report on Hong Kong’s human rights developments The Hong Kong Democracy Council officials and our allies from both parties in tion of the Fulbright Program, and support of civic groups in Hong Kong • Coordinate on policies and responses link- (HKDC), a D.C.-based nonpartisan, non- Congress around our priorities: ing China’s mass human rights violations in profit organization dedicated to preserving Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang, as well as 3. Lead a joint response with Hong Kong’s basic freedoms, has shared 1. Continue to hold account- the threats it poses to Taiwan ♦ with the Biden-Harris team the critical im- able those responsible for the international allies and like- portance of supporting and standing with minded partners to: Hong Kong starting on Day 1. ongoing crackdown in Hong • Coordinate targeted sanction schemes and The new administration and nominees Kong: safe harbor protections for National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan • Consider additional targeted sanctions and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have by fully utilizing the Hong Kong Human all been clear in their support for the pro- Rights and Democracy Act, the Hong Kong democracy movement in Hong Kong during Autonomy Act, the Global Magnitsky Act, Thank you for the campaign and the transition. Now as 7031(c) designations, and other relevant they lead the country forward, the rhetoric sanctions programs. reading must translate into actions. • Instruct the Department of State to conduct In the coming months, HKDC will con- and produce an updated, in-depth, action- China Insight tinue to work closely with administration able review and report on the conditions in Since 2001 PAGE 12 / February 2021 community www.chinainsight.info www.chinainsight.info community February 2021 / PAGE 13

Points of View The US should change its course on China policy Source: China Daily, Jan. 27, 2021

strategic perception of Chi- wants the dialogue to be "results-oriented," tackling climate change, COVID-19 and na, but will revise its stra- but the US should not set preconditions, coordinating macroeconomic policies. The tegic goals. It is almost a especially not taking whether China makes two countries should strengthen cooperation bipartisan consensus that it concessions as the only criterion for judging under the WHO framework, facilitate the is not wrong to view China the efficiency of the dialogue. global distribution of vaccines, and actively as a "strategic competitor," People-to-people exchange should serve coordinate economic policies under the G20 but the Democrats believe as a buffer zone in China-US relations, and other multilateral mechanisms to bolster competition must feature rather than be politicized. The Biden admin- global economic recovery. vigilance and modesty, istration has the responsibility to control the Even if cooperation and competition based on which America damage and undo the reckless policies by might coexist and become the new nor- should rethink its strategic reopening the consulate, easing visa restric- mal in China-US relations, the two sides goal of "changing China" tions, encouraging mutual study and tourism should avoid a "zero-sum" game, expand and reevaluate its concrete visits, creating necessary convenience for cooperation to offset the malign competi- policies. Chinese media in the US and releasing the tion and make contributions to the world by Third, the US will ad- illegally arrested Chinese visiting scholars. strengthening their own capabilities rather The US government is sending signals just its approaches of strategic competition In the field of global governance, the than seeking to undermine the other. ♦ on China-US relations. Antony Blinken, with China and make the alliance system US should work together with China on Biden's secretary of state, stressed that play a larger role. The Biden administration China posed a threat to the US and he backed is more likely to establish alliances in differ- a tough approach to China. Speaking at a ent fields, such as inviting Australia, India press briefing, White House Press Secretary and South Korea to the G7, setting up D-10 Jen Psaki said that the administration would group in the field of ideology, and includ- Be Your Own Boss! tackle that threat with strategic patience ing Australia, India, and Japan to upgrade and take a multilateral approach to engage QUAD in the field of regional security. China Insight is seeking a self-motivated individual with China. It seems that the Biden admin- Nevertheless, there is still room for the to sell advertising space for our newspaper. China istration's China policy may have several two countries to cooperate and build mu- Insight has been publishing for 15 years. The ideal features. tual trust. While Biden's team agrees with individual we seek must be passionate about our First, China remains one of the priorities Trump's reflection on China-US relations, mission, be resourceful, creative and capable of in US foreign policy, particularly in its Indo- it also believes that the bilateral relations working independently. We offer a very generous Pacific strategy. The US will largely inherit should not slide into direct confrontation, commission structure and you get to set your a "free and open Indo-Pacific Strategy" and which would only hurt both sides. The US own hours. reshape its regional allies to build coali- should change its course on China policy tions against China. Moreover, the Biden and keep the window of opportunity wide Contact Greg Hugh at 612-723-4872 or email administration has picked Kurt Campbell, open. [email protected] a China hand, as the National Security The US should not discard the en- Council (NSC)'s Indo-Pacific coordinator, gagement policy that underpinned over a new position dubbed "Asia czar" and ar- four-decade-long diplomatic relations with ranged two senior directors on China in the China. The two sides should reestablish the NSC, all of which reflects how important high-level dialogue mechanism as soon as the China issue is. possible to discuss both strategic and con- Second, the US will not easily alter its crete issues. China understands that the US Thank you for reading China Insight PAGE 14 / February 2021 community www.chinainsight.info

CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH US

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Together the Chinese + American audiences will celebrate the Chinese New Year, “Year of the Ox,” and share an atmosphere of festive joy in a safe, wide-open space. This years event will be composed of gorgeous Chinese New Year décor, virtual content + beautiful photo backdrops. We hope you can join us to celebrate with us SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 + SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 NOON – 5 P.M. | TCF ROTUNDA

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