The hottest China Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

What’s up with…? - Part 3: Cotti Coffee

Tech Buzz China Insider • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business China
  1. The update on Cotti Coffee discusses slowing store openings, partnerships, and ongoing price wars in the coffee industry.
  2. Tech Buzz China is shifting to shorter weekly publications for a few weeks to focus on updates of significant topics they wrote in 2023.
  3. There is an opportunity to join Tech Buzz China on an Exclusive Electric Vehicle Trip to China to gain insights into China's electric vehicle ecosystem.

Chartbook: Whither China? Part II - Posen v. Pettis or "authoritarian impasse" v. "structural dead-end"

Chartbook • 1859 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. Different interpretations exist regarding China's economic problems, with one side emphasizing authoritarian impasse and the other focusing on structural issues.
  2. The authoritarian impasse view highlights an inevitable downfall of authoritarian regimes, while the structural analysis points to socio-economic inequality as the root cause of China's economic challenges.
  3. The solutions proposed by each side differ, with one advocating for regime change and the other suggesting a shift towards a more inclusive growth model.

05/01/30 - FAQ Answered!

Moly’s Substack • 334 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's urban areas vary from fancy to drab, without much in between due to rapid development and lack of government oversight.
  2. Chinese humor leans towards sarcasm and can be hard to translate, often involving puns and cultural references.
  3. Chinese beauty standards emphasize extreme slimness, reflecting societal norms but also influenced by body types.
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Chartbook 237: Whither China? (4): Zero-Covid myths, dynamic clearing & the Omicron crisis of 2022

Chartbook • 1702 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. The zero-Covid policy in China was not always about sustained repression, but involved dynamic clearing to contain outbreaks.
  2. The economic impact of China's Covid policy was influenced more by global demand and housing market than by the lockdowns.
  3. The sudden abandonment of zero-Covid in China in 2022 resulted in a significant projected death toll, showcasing the complexity and consequences of the regime's decisions.

From Fetish To Fetter: China's Model Of Investment-Led Growth

Japan Economy Watch • 299 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's investment-led growth model is facing challenges, with excessive investment and unproductive spending impacting the economy.
  2. China needs to transition from more investment to smarter investment to sustain economic growth and improve living standards.
  3. The country's focus on high investment levels has led to weakening consumer demand, limited household income, and a growing debt burden.

China Crumbles

The Dollar Endgame • 199 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's real estate market is facing significant challenges, with existing home prices dropping and outstanding property loans declining.
  2. Major developers like Evergrande and Country Garden are struggling with debt obligations and bankruptcy proceedings.
  3. Moody's downgrade of China's credit outlook indicates that the turmoil in the real estate sector is starting to impact the broader economy and banks.

China’s Growth Prospects, Part I

Japan Economy Watch • 279 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's growth prospects face uncertainty, with possibilities of a financial crash leading to years of slow growth, or a gradual deceleration of growth rates over time.
  2. China's growth rate has been slowing down as the country becomes more affluent, and the government's economic strategies may worsen the natural slowdown.
  3. Experts project China's growth rate to be around 4% for the next few years, and achieving even 4% growth would be considered significant given China's level of development.

Humanoid Hype? Tell that to President Xi Jinping!

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🕹 Technology China
  1. President Xi Jinping is actively engaged with humanoid robots, showcasing China's strong interest in this technology
  2. China's focus on humanoid robots is driving rapid technological advancements, with robot update cycles as short as three months
  3. The 2024 China Humanoid Robot Developers Conference highlighted the significant progress and investments in humanoid robotics in the country

Mutiny in Russia: Chinese Experts React

Sinification • 275 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. The mutiny in Russia is a significant event impacting the war and Russia's situation.
  2. Chinese experts are reacting to the rebellion and discussing its potential implications.
  3. The focus of the discussions is on the uprising, its drivers, and the impact on Russian politics.

Soviet Ruins and China's Future

ChinaTalk • 474 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China looks to the lessons of the Soviet Union to understand its own economic strategies and potential risks. By studying the past, they hope to avoid similar pitfalls in governance.
  2. The distribution of resources in an economy is crucial for success. If too much is spent on heavy industry and not enough on consumer goods, it can lead to dissatisfaction and inefficiencies.
  3. Khrushchev's time saw a shift in the Soviet mentality from military competition to economic competition with the West. This idea of competing systems is still relevant today, especially in how China views its place in the world.

Antisemitism permeates China’s internet after conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas

Wenhao’s news blog • 255 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. In the wake of conflict between Israel and Hamas, antisemitism has been spreading on China's internet.
  2. Despite Beijing's call for ending violence, Chinese netizens strongly support Palestine and express dislike towards Jews.
  3. Conspiracy theories about Jews controlling politics and wealth have perpetuated antisemitism on China's internet for years.

End the Week with THB

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 873 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💰 Finance China
  1. Transmission line deployments in the US may not meet expected levels, urging a need for spreadsheet updates.
  2. Anticipate a significant rise in energy demand globally based on current trends.
  3. China's energy consumption growth demonstrates the country's significant stake in the global energy landscape.

Russia dropping US dollar for Chinese yuan - and fast

Geopolitical Economy Report • 338 implied HN points • 31 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics China
  1. Russia's central bank is shifting from the US dollar to Chinese yuan to counter Western sanctions, with yuan's share of trading in Moscow rapidly increasing.
  2. Geopolitical tensions and economic conflicts are prompting countries like Russia, China, and Iran to de-dollarize and diversify their foreign reserves from the US dollar.
  3. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warns of a decline in US dollar dominance, as the use of Chinese yuan in global central bank reserves rises and Western sanctions spur shifts to alternative currencies.

China on Dario, DeepSeeking Truth, Ali + DeepSeek, and a Procurement IP Manifesto

ChinaTalk • 281 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology China
  1. DeepSeek, a new Chinese AI model, is being seen as a serious competitor to U.S. AI in helping researchers gather information about China. However, it struggles to answer questions that cross different areas of knowledge.
  2. Many in China believe the U.S. has double standards regarding AI and security, saying that U.S. restrictions are more about keeping an edge in technology than genuine concerns for safety.
  3. DeepSeek is powerful for safe topics, but it has issues with censorship. It often can’t handle politically sensitive topics, making it less useful for in-depth research on controversial issues.

31. Good Talk #6: Kathleen McLaughlin

The Truth Does Not Change According to Our Ability to Stomach It • 235 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. Kathleen McLaughlin discussed her journalism career in Montana and China, emphasizing the importance of uncovering unique stories.
  2. She highlighted the societal issues surrounding the blood plasma industry, revealing how economic struggles drive people to donate blood for money.
  3. McLaughlin's book sheds light on the systemic problems in America, showcasing the exploitation of the poor and the lack of care for vulnerable individuals.

China's Lack of Soft Power in Central Asia

Sinification • 235 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China is facing challenges in exerting soft power in Central Asia due to cultural differences.
  2. China is strengthening economic and security ties with the five Central Asian states.
  3. Common interests such as countering terrorism contribute to the developing relations between China and Central Asian countries.

An impending war in Taiwan Strait? Beijing and Washington must take full advantage of their return to high-level talks to snuff out the dangerous speculation

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 235 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. War over Taiwan is unlikely if the self-ruled island does not declare independence.
  2. Fears and speculation about impending war between China and the US are fueled by rising tensions and misunderstandings.
  3. Preventing war over Taiwan requires Beijing and Washington to engage in high-level talks and find a new understanding.

Significant Uncertainties.

News Items • 235 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. Artificial intelligences are not considered conscious yet, but there is potential for self-awareness.
  2. An autonomous system called Swift has demonstrated success in drone racing at a human champion level.
  3. A new theory suggests that the brain may sort memories based on their usefulness for guiding future actions.

Back To New Jersey.

News Items • 235 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. U.S. Navy faces urgent need to embrace new technologies due to rising threat from China.
  2. Observing China closely reveals signs of a new national stagnation and restrictions.
  3. China shows signs of inward life twist, restricting various aspects like religious groups and independent writers.

02/02/24 - FAQ Answered!

Moly’s Substack • 117 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China
  1. In China, 'aunties' and 'uncles' refer to middle-aged individuals with specific stereotypes.
  2. PUA in China refers to tactics used beyond just pick-up artistry, expanding to various relationships.
  3. Chinese people have strong opinions on various topics like western food and anti-Japanese sentiments.

The End of Empires

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 4 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics China
  1. Traditional US allies are striking independent deals with China, as seen in Canada’s new strategic partnership and tariff reductions.
  2. Past confrontations like tariffs and high‑profile arrests haven’t stopped rapprochement, showing countries often prioritize trade and economic benefit over political alignment.
  3. Those shifts weaken alliance cohesion and indicate that growing economic ties to China could challenge U.S. global leadership.

Leaks Expose Chinese, Russian and German Security Fears

Natto Thoughts • 79 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China has been implementing a policy to replace foreign software with domestic alternatives since at least 2013 due to security concerns.
  2. Leaked Russian military files revealed discussions on potential use of nuclear weapons in response to threats, highlighting concerns about China's intentions and escalation approaches.
  3. A leaked plan from the German military raised questions about cybersecurity and military communication deficiencies, emphasizing vulnerabilities and potential disinformation tactics in conflicts.

China Teeters

The Dollar Endgame • 219 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's real estate market is showing warning signals and potential financial crisis issues.
  2. The Chinese government's push for massive industrial growth led to developers taking on massive debts for unprofitable projects like 'ghost cities'.
  3. Lenders in China have authorized bad loans for real estate projects, creating a housing bubble that surpasses the 2008 financial crisis.

Black Rainstorm.

News Items • 216 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's jobless college graduates are causing embarrassment to Xi Jinping due to high unemployment rates among the youth.
  2. The China model, a mix of liberalization and state control, is facing severe economic challenges that Xi Jinping may have failed to address in time.
  3. If current trends continue, China may not surpass the United States as the world's dominant economy.

Seeking truth from facts: China's stonewalling on Qin Gang's dismissal as FM has damaged its image as a responsible world power

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 216 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics China
  1. China's lack of transparency on Qin Gang's dismissal has harmed its reputation as a global power.
  2. The speculation and secrecy surrounding Qin's removal indicate potential weaknesses in China's political system.
  3. The decision to replace Qin with Wang is seen as a move to ensure stability in China's foreign policies.

Purges and the PLA: Corruption in the Ranks

ChinaTalk • 874 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics China
  1. Corruption within the Chinese military has led to major purges, affecting Xi Jinping's military actions.
  2. Predicting Xi Jinping's actions regarding Taiwan is difficult due to his secretive nature and complex decision-making process.
  3. Taiwan needs to focus on enhancing its defense capabilities with a balance of investments in munitions, technology, and strategic planning.

i-SOON Operations: A View from Kazakhstan

Natto Thoughts • 79 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics China
  1. The leaked materials from Chinese information security company i-SOON exposed cyber-vulnerabilities in Kazakhstan and highlighted the country's strategic importance to China in terms of economy and politics.
  2. Kazakh non-governmental cybersecurity experts criticize the government's cybersecurity efforts, pointing out weaknesses in infrastructure and the need for a separate, independent agency responsible for cybersecurity.
  3. Official responses from Kazakhstan avoid directly naming China in connection to the cyber-attacks, opting for diplomatic language and acknowledging foreign hacker activity without outright accusing a specific country.

The Story Of China

Learning Machine • 117 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
💾 History China
  1. China's name comes from Sanskrit word 'Cheen' and its history is full dynastic cycles of rise and fall.
  2. Chinese culture is deeply influenced by philosophy, including Confucianism and Legalism.
  3. China's unity, technological advancements like gunpowder and naval expeditions have played significant roles in its history.

我的最新专栏的中文翻译：为什么中国隐蔽战线的最高机构不再隐蔽？

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China • 98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics China
  1. The Ministry of State Security in China, once shrouded in secrecy, is now stepping into the public eye due to a shift in focus towards national security.
  2. The current Minister of State Security, Chen Yixin, has been instrumental in the department's increased visibility and public presence.
  3. The Chinese leadership is emphasizing Xi Jinping's ideology on national security, adding it as a new pillar to consolidate his political theory.