Collected GRR newsletters in 2022 & some thankful words
This is my final newsletter before Christmas, and it lists every piece except the Top Search series published by Ginger River Review (GRR) in 2022 in reverse chronological order. I am also highlighting ten of them, including the five most well-read ones and my five personal favorites, with some thoughts and notes. It turns out that I prefer human interest stories over those concerning politics or policies, and I hope they make for good holiday reading. I plan to publish one more story over the coming week, just in case you get bored. =)
I want to take the opportunity to say thank you. As I mentioned in GRR's introduction, my motivation for briefing trends on Chinese social media and introducing Chinese stories to English readers is, while fully aware of my limitations, to shed some light on what concerns the Chinese leadership and the general public. I hope GRR has been of use to you from time to time and contributes to solving at least some pieces of the China puzzle.
Over the past year, I have, on many occasions with the help of Jinglin Gao, red_wallstreet and Tsong Wong, published 101 issues. Substack is booming, but it's still fairly new. There aren't many translation-centric substacks written by people hailing from the Chinese mainland. So we are, to the best of our abilities in our spare time, still exploring. In case you have any suggestions for GRR, opinions on a certain matter, or recommendations on what we should do next, I'm all ears. Please feel free to reply to this email or write to jjiang.sisu@hotmail.com.
There are trying times, but lately, I've welcomed a little puppy into my life. Together with her, the daughter of a German Shepherd and a rural Pakistani dog, we wish you and your loved ones a joyous Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (Any ideas for a name?)
Happy holidays!
2022 Ginger River's Favorites (To avoid spoiling your reading experience, I don't talk much about the stories here):
1. A model store run by a "cyber-mom"
The cyber-mom carries on her son's legacy.
2. How uncle cured my mental friction after being back in the village for three days
"Uncle always said that he could only take care of himself, but he actually took care of the whole village. "
I discussed with my friends why this story went viral in China but was not as well received by international readers. We have the answers, and I believe that not being popular is also a reflection of cultural differences between China and the West, which is a good reason to read (watch) it.
3. Another “China” hiding in county towns
I always enjoy reading and telling Chinese county town stories. Less traditional than villages and less urbanized than big cities, county towns are easily overlooked. (Neither did I grow up in a county town) They are, however, the necessary pieces to complete the picture of an authentic China.
"For many of them, this is the second time they have had photos taken. The first one was the photo for their ID cards."
5. How China prepared for potential invasion from Soviet Union with mankind’s largest doomsday project
"We do these things only for future generations to forget all about this."
(In this sentence, I've come to the conclusion that this is still my favorite story.)
2022 Reader Favorites:
1. The Taiwan question may be turning into a “gray rhino” event, as estimated by Chairman Rabbit
The Economist said the Taiwan Strait is "the most dangerous place on Earth". That may be an exaggeration, but it has certainly piqued the interest of this newsletter's readers, making popular Chinese blogger Chairman Rabbit's article on Taiwan the most popular piece in 2022. The reason could be attributed in part to his attitudes and analysis that differ from those of many Western China Watchers, which is also one of the newsletter's foci in its report.
2. Why are Chinese VCs drifting away from their U.S. peers?
After more than two decades of following the footsteps of their American peers, Chinese VCs are increasingly diverging in terms of investment strategy and focus. It's no surprise that this was a hit because it provided a thorough explanation of the underlying forces driving the trend from a founding partner of a China-based venture capital fund.
3. Will Taiwan's cutting-edge chipmaking technology be “Americanized”？
Here again is Taiwan. When discussing the Taiwan Island, all eyes seemed to be focused on chip manufacturing in addition to any potential war over the Taiwan Strait. It is not only a hot topic in the "competition" between China and the United States, but it is also a critical section that can affect the global manufacturing supply chain. If this subject resurfaced in the top 5 in 2023, I wouldn't be shocked.
4. How to understand China's governance model and its real challenges today
This is a pretty interesting one. The article offers an open discussion about the resilience and weaknesses of China's unique system, and provides candid advice for how the governance model should adapt to this new era. Here, I'd like to use a phrase from my friend Zichen Wang -- it "helps shape 一个真实、立体、全面的中国 a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of China."
5. Xi's article on major theoretical, practical issues in China's development in the Qiushi Journal
The article is mainly about five major issues in China’s development, which are common prosperity, nature of capital, supply security, major risk mitigation, and the goals of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Since the Chinese leader wrote it, I don't need to emphasize how significant it is. I was very delighted to hear from a reader who said that the piece was so useful that she used it directly in her own work to successfully identify where China's economic funds would be moving in the future. I guess that should serve as a reminder to maintain "the consciousness of following the leadership core, and keeping in alignment with the central Party leadership"!
Full list of GRR's pieces in 2022 (the above-mentioned 10 stories are highlighted)
December
How can China's elderly be better protected from COVID waves?
How pandemic changes lifestyles, travel habits of China's middle class
An unexpected conversation between Jiang Zemin and a Buddhist monk 3 decades ago
A Chinese city's new battle to get life back to "pre-COVID normal"
"Seek truth from facts," top Chinese biologist Rao Yi writes after bout of COVID
Will Taiwan's cutting-edge chipmaking technology be “Americanized”？
November
What does Hurun China Rich List 2022 tell us?
Will Elon Musk's “Twitter 2.0” turn into another China's WeChat?
What will be China's priority in pursuing high-quality development over the next five years
How will China fulfill the goals for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027?
Story of the Week: A model store run by a "cyber-mom"
October
The first visit of the Party's leaders after the 20th CPC National Congress
What did the Party do to its Constitution?
Why did VCs shun away from low-alcohol drinks in China this year?
Q&A: How China can meet its carbon reduction targets - Part 2
Q&A: How China can meet its carbon reduction targets - Part 1
September
Details on election of delegates to 20th CPC National Congress
Critical window of opportunities for China's smaller cities
How have key participants adapted to after-school tutoring reform in China
With robust export data, why does China’s export industry still feel the chill?
What is the future of China's chipmaking after the U.S. chips bill?
August
What does Shanghai mean to you?
Can Chinese batteries rise to power European EV?
How to understand China's governance model and its real challenges today
Why are Chinese VCs drifting away from their U.S. peers?
What's Huawei's master plan for electric vehicles?
The Taiwan question: crises and opportunities -- views from Prof. Zheng Yongnian
The Taiwan question may be turning into a “gray rhino” event, as estimated by Chairman Rabbit
July
Xi's tone-setting speech before 20th National Congress of CPC
How uncle cured my mental friction after being back in the village for three days
Another “China” hiding in county towns
China-U.S. relations: views from Prof. Wang Jisi
Abe Shinzo's influence on China-Japan relations: views from Beijing
American manufacturing: the ostensible decline and the real quandaries
101st Year Anniversary, Mao's Cave-Dwelling Dialogue, and Historical Cycles
NATO's new strategic concept on China: views from Prof. Zheng Yongnian
CPC's congress reports at provincial level; Xi on COVID policy and technology innovation
June
On Taiwan's strengths and weaknesses in reviewing its economic data
China set to give anti-trust watchdog more teeth
Vietnam or India: which one will be the new "world's factory"?
Population, Industrial Upgrade and Taiwan: Some predictions for China in 2030 - Part 2
Blinken's China speech: views from Beijing
How Shanghai can win back the confidence of foreign capital: A look at history
May
Population, Industrial Upgrade and Taiwan: Some predictions for China in 2030 - Part 1
Views on zero-COVID policy from head of China's National Health Commission
Xi's article on major theoretical, practical issues in China's development in the Qiushi Journal
What Alibaba's future looks like according to CEO Daniel Zhang
How can China properly respond to downward pressure on the economy?
Inside TikTok, Zhang Yiming's great voyage through the waves, Part 2
Inside TikTok, Zhang Yiming's great voyage through the waves, Part 1
Grassroots challenges in bureaucratic jungle -- reported by Banyuetan
April
A lady carries 40 kgs of veggies to Shanghai to assist her son
How does a symposium with Chinese premier feel like
Understanding Huawei's 2022 from their financial report
Why Shanghai sticks with zero-COVID policy (Part 2) - facts from the ground
Why Shanghai sticks with zero-COVID policy? Part 1
Is the valuation of Hong Kong stocks really that cheap?
March
Views on Xi-Biden meeting from Chinese experts
How China prepared for potential invasion from Soviet Union with mankind’s largest doomsday project
February
Russia-Ukraine conflict: A Chinese reporter's story of driving through the night to Kiev
China to prevent falling into trap of welfarism in pursuing common prosperity
How Wang Fuyu, a provincial-level leader, takes over $68 mln bribes
January
A glimpse of China's inbound travel policy from latest plan
Great job. Happy Christmas and see you next year! 👏🏼
"...I prefer human interest stories over those concerning politics or policies..." 我同意！