Johnny Erling

Mao once adopted his concept of "criticism and self-criticism" from the Soviet Union. In China, it applies to almost all officials – except the very top. Like Mao, Xi himself does not practice it very much. continue reading →

In dictatorships like the one in China, people often live a double life. Cab drivers swear vocally about the government, but are strict CP members at the same time. In schools, Orwellian neologisms and doublespeak are widespread, words are attributed new meanings, and logic is often twisted. China is drifting into a "new form of totalitarianism" that does not use terror, but massively suppresses and kills debate. continue reading →

Bloggers use imagination and wit to fool the omnipresent controllers of the Chinese censorship apparatus. Their often virtuous linguistic creations form a still unwritten online dictionary of Chinese protest culture. continue reading →

China’s 25 most powerful officials, including only one woman, gathered in the palace of the once-imperial Zhongnanhai Park, in the heart of Beijing. Party leader Xi Jinping had summoned his Politburo and its Standing Committee to the lakeside compound, which was turned into the CP’s headquarters in 1949. China’s inner circle convened until late in […] continue reading →

Billionaire Wang Jianling wanted to compete with Hollywood and promised to build the most technically advanced and largest film studios in the world. Qingdao was to become the Chinese Cannes. Not much came of it. Nevertheless, many believed in him. continue reading →

No developing country in the world has received as much support from Germany in the form of expertise, technology transfer and all kinds of aid as the People's Republic has since the beginning of its reforms. Were we too naive in the face of a potential systemic rival? continue reading →

China's lockdown-plagued citizens are using the Internet to express their discontent publicly. Online protests and political jokes (段子) are all the rage. Behind their temporary tolerance lies Beijing's calculation. After all, they also serve as an outlet to let off steam dangerous to the regime. continue reading →

Xi Jinping cultivates a veritable cult around China's Great Wall. Yet Mao Zedong considered the ancient structure to be a feudal relic. But that did not stop him from creating a ritual: Foreign dignitaries on a visit to Beijing outdo each other with the length of their walks along the monument. continue reading →

Beijing's approach to its own history is always worth a special look. After all, transparency is not a strong suit here either. In 2006, however, China's Foreign Ministry published a book on declassified documents for the first time. A second volume never came out. Thus, other documents have to serve as a reminder of history. continue reading →

Modernization, liberalization and digitization have transformed almost all areas of China in less than a generation. Only the official language and propaganda of the People's Republic resisted all reforms. It is aggressive, ideologized and rigid. Since party leader Xi Jinping took office, it has become even more stereotypical. continue reading →

Numbers usually come with the addition of "左右" (left and right) in China – that is, an "approximate" approximation of reality. Johnny Erling reveals how everyone from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to IOC chief Thomas Bach, as well as major companies and investors, have repeatedly allowed themselves to be gullibly mesmerized by China's magic of big numbers coupled with even bigger promises. continue reading →

China's young generation is very self-conscious, optimistic, and patriotic. China's global rise is already a fact to them. However, they have no desire to produce many grandchildren in the interests of population planning. The propaganda already wants to "hammer" into shape. And all of this is also related to the director of the Olympic show. continue reading →

Due to shortages, ration stamps for commodities were part of daily life for 40 years. Beijing also used them as an instrument of power. Times have improved, and the ration stamps have become collector's items. Today, Xi Jinping would rather forget about this chapter in the history of the CP. Yet it could offer valuable lessons. In the meantime, he has turned to AI to monitor the population. continue reading →

At the Yingtai Pavilion, part of the old Beijing Imperial Palace, the lines of history cross in an unlikely fashion. It was in the setting of imperial splendor that Communist autocrat Mao met with Pu Yi, the deposed last emperor. Recently, Xi Jinping used the same location for a special meeting. And he spared no imperial symbolism for himself. continue reading →

China wants to avoid a bad atmosphere among the population, and Xi Jinping himself advocates diligence instead of idleness. Nevertheless, the subversive term "tangping" has made it onto the list of Internet words of the year. It means "lying flat" and stands for a new social protest in the form of cultivated laziness. The young generation has had enough of constant strain and forced conformity to a competitive society. Johnny Erling shows how cartoonists pick up on the trend word in their drawings. continue reading →

Xi is copying Mao: Following the example of a well-known hymn to the former Great Chairman, the new leader is also being given a ballad that praises his deeds. While the cult of personality is becoming increasingly grotesque, there is also growing resistance within the party. continue reading →

The cult of personality around Xi Jinping is taking on ever new forms. By now, he even calls himself China's "helmsman". There is now only little left to catch up with the master of personality cults, Mao Zedong. A historical anecdote shows that cults of personality also tends to originate from the highly praised himself. continue reading →

Scotland has its whisky, France wine, cognac and champagne. In China, the Maotai is the national drink. It is both a luxury item and a symbol of corruption. But so far, the national liquor hasn't conquered the global market yet. Henry Kissinger and Ronald Reagan know why the strong beverage has not yet been successful on the export market. continue reading →

Johnny Erling

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