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@ mike
2025-01-30 16:11:24
I have a deep love of China. It probably started in 1981, when my Father visited China on the first trade mission from the UK to open up trading between the 2 nations.
As a family, we have historically done a lot of business in Asia starting with our company Densitron, who’s Asian headquarters were in Tokyo, through to Taiwan where we had factories leading to investing in Vbest, now Evervision an LCD manufacturer. They have admin offices in Taiwan and a factory in Jiangsu, China.
I have always hated the western narrative that China is the “enemy” or that China’s Communist / Capitalist system is “evil”.
Without understanding history, geography, cultural biases, and indoctrination it is as difficult to remove those beliefs in the same way it is difficult to convert “normies” to understand the freedom and power of Bitcoin.
I have tried and had some success, but mostly failed.
However the recent ban on TikTok and the migration of the west to the Chinese owned “rednote” app has overnight created more cultural exchanges and understanding than the previous 40+ years has ever managed to achieve. That along with the recent disclosure about Chinas advancements in AI have also deflated some of the western hubris.
If you wish to go down the rabbit hole of China from a cultural view, this YouTuber has given me a much better framework than I could ever provide as an outsider.
She is a Chinese girl, who came to the UK to study at University only to return with a mixed understanding of both cultures. She is doing a far better job of explaining the culture from a western perspective than I ever could.
https://www.youtube.com/@SimingLan
Here are 4 videos of hers that help explain a lot:
This is a lighthearted look at the recent TikTok ban
TikTok ban completely backfired on US! and it's been hilarious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7123nG5otA
More in-depth insights are:
My complicated relationship with China.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEaw0KAuNBU
China's Biggest Problem with Free Speech Rhetoric
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7eSyKPbg_Y
What the West Doesn't Get about China's Rise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmb1_HfflCA