Reuters reviews China’s latest blockbuster “Upstream”, casting a rare and harsh light on the country’s biggest economic pain points. “An uncertain job market, downward mobility, and the hardscrabble life of millions who are working gig jobs.” Marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok sees a profound change among the previously optimistic consumers, who pushed ahead the country’s economy in the past, she tells Reuters.Read More →

Former Alibaba executive Sharon Gai explains how AI is changing the retail industry beyond recognition. Amazon was the pioneer in this field, although now nobody can ignore the change AI is causing globally.Read More →

China’s economic situation has deteriorated over the past two months, says business analyst Shaun Rein in a discussion on CNBC. The hope for a financial bazooka to boost the economy by the government has not materialized and is unlikely to do so. The government seems fine with the current 4/5% growth and also lacks the money to spend as tax income has remained poor, while geopolitical challenges forces the Chinese government to be prudent too.Read More →

Why is China calling itself a democracy when it is not according to most definitions? China scholar Ian Johnson, a fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin, discusses this and other political issues at the Council on Foreign Relations. In the same way, it is not a dictatorship where Xi Jinping can decide on all issues in the country, he says.Read More →

Former Shanghai-based foreign correspondent Howard French recently returned to Shanghai for the first time after corona and takes stock of its current state, by talking to Chinese and foreign residents in the city. In Foreign Policy he reports about these findings. French: “All I can say with certainty is that we are all in for a turbulent, costly, and possibly dangerous ride.”Read More →

China marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok discusses her success in supporting companies selling in China in a new Growth Tactics podcast by Jeff Towson. “China is a big country,” says Ashley Dudarenok,  “but what’s trending in Shanghai today? How can I make my post, my message? Connected with that broader topic that is featured in the media or in on a specific platform et cetera.”Read More →

AI expert Alvin Wang Graylin dives into the future of the metaverse and discusses his book Our Next Reality: Preparing for the AI-powered Metaverse, and how the world finds itself at the crossroads of a new industrial revolution, in a discussion with Cecilia Lascialfari.Read More →

Retail sees a fast-moving playing field, as data analysis, AI, AR, and an ongoing integration of online and offline developments. Hong Kong-based marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok dives into the future of retail at her updated website.Read More →

Unlike their counterparts in the rest of the world, China’s youngsters are fiercely saving their money, says business analyst Shaun Rein at CNBC. “Unlike youths in the 2010s who often spent more than they earned and borrowed money to buy fancy items like Gucci handbags and Apple iPhone, young Chinese have started saving more,” he told CNBC. Read More →