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CTP Podcast – A Casual Rant on Media
July 20, 2010 | No Comment
CTP Podcast – A Casual Rant on Media

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The Foxconn Suicides: Why Apple Won’t Get Bruised
June 1, 2010 | One Comment
The Foxconn Suicides: Why Apple Won’t Get Bruised

While tragic, the suicides of the young Chinese workers at Foxconn are also inconsequential.  I say this not to be callous, however it should noted that outside of the Chinese and the broader technology blogospheres/Twitterverse, …

Why Unrest in Thailand Could be a Preview for China
May 18, 2010 | One Comment
Why Unrest in Thailand Could be a Preview for China

Chinese diplomats in Bangkok are no doubt extremely busy these days sending home reports of the ongoing turmoil roiling the streets of the Thai capital.  With Thai military forces now using live ammunition to disperse …

The Stark Differences Between Western and African Views on China
April 16, 2010 | No Comment
The Stark Differences Between Western and African Views on China

This brief interview on Bloomberg Television highlights the dramatic differences in worldview between Westerners and Africans when it comes to their view of China.  Journalist Maryam Nemazee asks Adam Mahamat of the China-Africa Business Council …

China in Africa: A Critique of Howard French’s “Empire” Article
April 16, 2010 | One Comment
China in Africa: A Critique of Howard French’s “Empire” Article

China is walking down the same path towards empire in Africa as the once former European powers did a century ago writes former New York Times Shanghai and Africa correspondent Howard French in a new …

China in Africa: the BBC’s Annoying Interview of Liu Guijin
April 11, 2010 | 2 Comments
China in Africa: the BBC’s Annoying Interview of Liu Guijin

It’s not often that senior Chinese officials make themselves available for interviews with the international media, especially in English.  So when I first heard that the BBC World Service’s “Business Today” radio program was to …

Rant: China Might Want to Consider Soft Power Too
March 17, 2010 | No Comment
Rant: China Might Want to Consider Soft Power Too

By any measure China’s awe inspiring embrace of Africa is impressive.  Let’s put aside the staggering financial statistics on how many billions of dollars Beijing is spreading across the continent or even the scale of …

THE FRIDAY RANT: French??? Really???
February 12, 2010 | No Comment
THE FRIDAY RANT: French??? Really???

China’s reform era is now entering its third decade and just now, in 2010, are Americans beginning to awake to the importance of learning Mandarin.  Now when I say “beginning to awake” I mean the …

BYD Auto: China’s Canary in the Innovation Coal Mine
November 17, 2009 | No Comment
BYD Auto: China’s Canary in the Innovation Coal Mine

Year after year, Chinese products consistently draw headlines for poor quality. Just as with any product, it is important to remember that brand perception is not a rational science. Is BYD emblematic of a coming change?

Public Opinion & Spin Control in China
November 11, 2009 | No Comment
Public Opinion & Spin Control in China

Quite a few blog entries and articles have been posted around the web regarding the CCP’s initiative to “channel public opinion.”  Authors mainly cite two pieces of information:
a) Hu Jintao’s June 20, 2008 speech on …