Johnny Erling

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

The return of the Danwei 2.0
For many years, nothing worked in China without involving the Danwei: Applying for a passport, getting married, getting divorced – permission from the work unit had to be obtained first. With the start of China's economic reforms, it lost importance. In the wake of the Covid pandemic, however, these small social units got a new boost: Is the Danwei celebrating a comeback with digital support? continue reading →
Long live China’s giant panda – 大熊猫万岁
China's panda diplomacy was made famous by a gift to US President Nixon – or rather, to his wife, Pat Nixon. But pandas have always been Beijing's image carrier and diplomatic tool, even dating back to the Tang Dynasty. However, a specimen of the black and white bears once fell victim to trigger-happy presidential sons. continue reading →
Qincheng – China’s infamous prison
Numerous myths surround Qincheng Prison, located near Beijing. The political prison is reserved for party cadres fallen from grace – and is therefore not under the supervision of China's judiciary. continue reading →
China – Home Alone and Aggressive
"Jiang Li" (讲理) means explaining a complicated and controversial issue rationally and in a way that is comprehensible to others, even if their views differ. China's old-school foreign policy makers followed this rule: "At least we try to argue rationally and indicate what logic guides us," a diplomat friend once told me. "Jiang Li" was "the ABC of pragmatic diplomacy." continue reading →