Yanwen’s blog

1/6/2025

The thought of the chaotic Middle East today brings to mind the great ancient civilizations of the Mesopotamian region, nestled between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Often called the "Cradle of Civilization," it was home to some of the earliest and most complex societies in human history. I also recall the Lamassu sculptures at the Louvre—mighty guardian deities meant to protect their people and preserve their culture. Yet even these powerful symbols could not safeguard Mesopotamia’s cultural heritage or secure peace and safety for its descendants in the present day. History reminds us that only a strong nation can offer its people peace and stability.

This reflection feels particularly relevant when juxtaposed with modern achievements like the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel through Tianshan Mountains, an infrastructural marvel that demonstrates China's vision for connectivity and economic development. At the end of 2024, Newsweek published an article, "China Builds World’s Longest Express Tunnel" (12/31/2024), highlighting the significance of this engineering feat.  

Key Facts About the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel  

1. Length: Spanning 22.1 kilometers (14 miles), the longest express tunnel in the world.  

2. Elevation: Constructed at an altitude of 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) in the Tianshan Mountains.

3. Construction Timeline: Begun in April 2020 and completed more than 18 months ahead of schedule in December 2024.

4. Travel Time Reduction: Reduces travel through the Tianshan Mountains from three hours to just 20 minutes.  

5. Expressway Integration: A key section of the 320-kilometer Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, set to open in 2025, shortening the journey between Urumqi and Yuli from seven hours to just over three hours.  

6. Geographical Significance: The tunnel crosses the Tianshan Mountains, a natural barrier averaging 300 kilometers wide, dividing Xinjiang into northern and southern regions.  

Implications of the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel  

Connectivity: A Catalyst for Economic Integration   The tunnel is a transformative infrastructure project, dramatically improving connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang. This enhanced accessibility is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic activity, fostering more balanced development across the region. By reducing isolation, it addresses economic disparities and paves the way for greater regional integration.

Strengthening the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)   Xinjiang is a linchpin of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), acting as a vital link between China and Central Asia. The tunnel bolsters the region’s role in the Silk Road Economic Belt, facilitating smoother transport within Xinjiang and strengthening links to Eurasian trade routes. This infrastructure aligns with China's vision of greater connectivity across Asia, Europe, and beyond.

Improved Quality of Life  By drastically reducing travel times, the tunnel enables better access to education, healthcare, career opportunities, and other economic activities for Xinjiang’s residents. This improvement in mobility is expected to enhance living standards and reduce the region’s poverty and isolation.

A Symbol of Unity and Progress  Xinjiang has been a focal point of China's national development strategy. The tunnel serves as a tangible representation of efforts to integrate the region more closely with the rest of the country. By addressing socio-economic disparities, the project also contributes to promoting stability through development.

A Chinese saying, "天堑变通途" (Tiān qiàn biàn tōng tú), means "The natural barrier turns into a thoroughfare." Figuratively it means, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle is transformed into a path of connection and progress. This captures the essence of constructing the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel. It celebrates the triumph of human ingenuity and technological advancement over formidable natural challenges.

In conclusion, more than anything else, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel shows China's strategic focus on connectivity and regional economic development. Its completion highlights China’s growing technological prowess and its commitment to sustainable, inclusive development.

As history unfolds, such projects will demonstrate its value and its far-reaching significance, and that economic development, connectivity and innovation remain cornerstones of progress.

1/5/2025

After years of seeing China portrayed negatively in much of the Western media, it feels like a breath of fresh air to encounter narratives that break through with undeniable facts.

In December 2024, I came across an article vividly illustrating China’s growing influence on global technology and its quiet but significant penetration into the U.S. market.

The article opens starkly: "For 70 years, most of our essential and widely used technology originated from American companies. That’s not true anymore. Americans use a lot of technology from China, and that’s not going to stop."

A Shift in Technological Dominance--   For decades, the U.S. was the cradle of transformative technologies. But as the article highlights, Chinese companies are now shaping innovations that have become integral to the daily lives of American consumers.  

Chinese Technology, Seamlessly Integrated--  From Lenovo laptops and TikTok to apps like Shein and Temu, the footprint of Chinese technology in America is undeniable. Notably, "China’s ByteDance makes three of the 10 most downloaded iPhone apps in the United States." Beyond consumer tech, Chinese advancements in EV batteries and artificial intelligence are redefining global standards.

Innovators and Global Trendsetters--   The article doesn’t merely cast Chinese companies as competitors; it positions them as innovators leading or matching the West in fields like AI, gaming, and electric vehicles. This recognition signals a grudging respect, intertwined with concern over shifting technological power dynamics.

Note A Measured Shift in Tone--  Lately, I’ve noticed a subtle shift in how Western media portrays China. It feels as though there’s been an internal recalibration in editorial policies. The tone is becoming more fact-driven and measured, albeit still tinged with undeniable anxiety. This shift likely stems from a growing acknowledgment that denying China’s advancements in technology, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives is becoming increasingly untenable.

From leading the global EV market to achieving breakthroughs in AI and spearheading reforestation efforts, China’s accomplishments are as clear as daylight—too prominent to overlook or dismiss.

A New Reality for a Multipolar World--  The West’s economic interdependence with China complicates outright antagonism. Western media may be recalibrating their narratives to reflect a multipolar world where demonizing China entirely proves counterproductive. Balanced fact-based reporting may be out of sheer necessity.

China’s role as a global technology leader and trendsetter is becoming harder to dismiss. Acknowledging this reality isn’t merely a concession to facts but also a recognition of market dynamics and consumer influence.

A Poetic Reflection on Change--  The quiet yet undeniable rise of China’s technological influence feels akin to the sentiment expressed in the Chinese poem:  "无可奈何花落去" (wú kě nài hé huā luò qù)—"One can only helplessly watch the flowers fall." It reflects a sense of inevitability in the face of profound shifts.

For the West, this transformation signals the need to adapt to a new reality: a world where China is not just a participant but a leader in shaping the global technological landscape. The challenge now is not to resist the inevitable but to engage with the new reality.  

The falling flowers of a bygone era give way to new blooms—symbols of a changing world order. As these new realities take root, the question for both East and West is how to cultivate collaboration and competition in ways that benefit the global community, rather than be overwhelmed by anxiety or rivalry.

Change, after all, is inevitable—but our response to it defines the future.

1/4/2025

Last year, shortly after China's Singles’ Day (11/11), I came across an article about Chinese young consumers. It intrigued me and made me want to write something, but November is always a busy month for me, with preparations for overseas trips taking priority.

From my trips back home and my observations of relatives in China, I used to think that Chinese consumers were swept away in a consumerist whirlwind—a buy, buy, buy culture driven by low prices and endless deals. But I’ve come to realize this view is outdated.  

Chinese young consumers are demonstrating increased sophistication, financial literacy, self-fulfillment and self-awareness. They focus on purchasing products they genuinely need, rather than succumbing to impulsive shopping frenzies or the lure of discounted prices. This marks a move toward a more thoughtful and research-driven approach to consumption.  

They prioritize quality and emotional value in their purchases. The rise of "self-pleasing" consumption reflects a desire for products that enhance personal well-being and align with their values. Purchase of high-end sports gear and smartwatches, for example, point to a growing interest in self-investment, particularly in areas like health, fitness, and technology—key lifestyle aspirations for the younger generation.

Their shopping behavior is calm and deliberate. Instead of rushing into impulse buys, they spend more time comparing options and making informed decisions. Shopping has become a marathon rather than a sprint, emphasizing patience and maturity in their consumer habits.  

The dominance of essentials like smart TVs and refrigerators in sales highlights their focus on practicality and utility. These purchases suggest a preference for items that provide long-term value in daily life.  

Finally, there is a clear shift from price-driven purchases to value-driven ones. Younger consumers are carefully weighing cost against value, opting for long-term benefits over fleeting satisfaction.

This trend gives me a sense of reassurance, perhaps because it feels like a natural evolution—one where thoughtful consumption replaces mindless spending and accumulation. 

While I occasionally still find myself buying things I don’t really need, lured by discounts, young Chinese consumers seem to have left behind that stage. Their focus on quality, practicality, and self-investment reflects a maturity that I find both admirable and humbling.

Living in the United States, I feel like I’ve been outpaced by this new wave of savvy sophisticated shoppers in China. Perhaps it’s time for me to catch up in embracing the same value-driven mindset that defines this generation. After all, progress lies in learning from those who lead the way, no matter where they are.

1/3/2025

A recent experience made me reflect on a big difference between Chinese children growing up in America and those raised in China. When we suggested helping my daughter purchase an apartment in Brooklyn, she flatly refused, insisting she would do it herself. In contrast, most of her peers in China, including my relatives in Beijing, fully expect financial assistance from their parents when buying a home.

Back to today’s topic, towards the end of 2024, I came across an article in The Economist, “China is catching up with America in quantum technology.” The piece opens with a striking anecdote:

"In a small shop in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei, one of the rarest pieces of technology in the world is on display. The quantum computer in the showroom of Origin, a Chinese startup, looks ready to be plucked from the shelf and fired up. Only 20 such devices are produced globally each year. It is unclear what in Origin’s showroom is for sale, but none of it is supposed to be seen by foreigners. During your correspondent’s visit, which was agreed on in advance, the company panicked at the sight of a foreigner, abruptly cancelled interviews and notified the police."

This engaging introduction captures the reader's attention and vividly illustrates the secrecy and geopolitical tension surrounding quantum technology.

The article delves into several key points:

1. Sensitivity and Strategic Importance:     The article emphasizes the profound importance of quantum technology, comparing its geopolitical significance to weapons manufacturing. As it notes, "Few industries outside of weapons manufacturing are so sensitive."

2. Categorized Analysis:     By dividing the quantum field into three areas—communications, sensing, and computing—the piece provides a clear framework. It highlights China’s leadership in quantum communications, competitiveness in sensing, and relative lag in computing.

3. Acknowledging China’s Achievements:     The article recognizes China as the "undisputed leader in quantum communications" and acknowledges its competitiveness in quantum sensing. This reflects a degree of respect for China's advancements in these sophisticated areas.

4. Framing the U.S.-China Competition:     The article juxtaposes China's progress against America's dominance in quantum computing, particularly through innovations by American firms like Google. This framing underscores the high stakes of this technological race.

5. Surprise and Strategic Anxiety:     The tone conveys both surprise and a sense of unease about China's rapid rises in a field with profound geopolitical and military implications, portraying China's progress and advancements as a challenge to the West's longstanding supremacy.

There is a Chinese saying, “不鸣则已，一鸣惊人” (bù míng zé yǐ, yī míng jīng rén) "A bird has been silent for a long time, but astonishes all when it finally sings." It describes someone who remains quiet or low-profile for a period, only to shock or impress the world with a sudden and significant achievement. It perfectly aligns with China’s quiet yet steady advancements in quantum technology, which now cause the U.S. to be taken aback by the speed of progress. It emphasizes surprise and the dramatic shift in perception.

In essence, the profound "strategic anxiety" felt in the U.S., serves as a mirror to China’s remarkable advancements in quantum technology. As China cements its leadership in quantum communications and remains competitive in sensing, its rapid progress in a field with transformative potential is challenging the technological supremacy which the U.S. has long taken for granted.

This anxiety underscores the stakes of the quantum race, where breakthroughs could potentially redefine global power dynamics, military capabilities, and economic dominance. Rather than praising China's strides in innovation, the article serves as a wake-up call to the West.

1/2/2025

The second day of the new year is here, and before diving into today’s main topic, I’d like to share an interesting insight.  

A study found that people who enjoy discussing and planning for the future tend to perform better academically, develop fewer bad habits, exercise more, save more money, and work harder. The young, the healthy, and the affluent are naturally more inclined to focus on the future, while the elderly, the unwell, and those who have once faced hardships often gravitate toward reflecting on the past.  

The key point is: if significant change is inevitable in the future, our greatest strength lies in our ability to anticipate it positively. A forward-looking, optimistic mindset not only helps us meeting challenges but often leads to better outcomes.

Just as individuals can transform their lives with an optimistic outlook, nations can address environmental challenges through forward-thinking initiatives. One such effort is China’s Great Green Wall.

China has achieved an extraordinary environmental milestone with the completion of a 3,000-kilometer "green belt" encircling the Taklamakan Desert, the world’s second-largest shifting sand desert. 

The United Nations has acknowledged China's "Great Green Wall" as a significant effort in combating desertification and promoting environmental restoration.

Launched in 1978, the program has planted more than 30 million hectares of trees, boosting China’s forest coverage from approximately 10% in 1949 to over 25% by the end of 2023. 

Remarkably, China now plants over 2.5 billion trees annually and has added approximately 700,000 square kilometers of forest since the 1980s—an area equivalent to 5 New York States.

A 2019 NASA study underscored China’s environmental leadership, revealing that the country contributed roughly 25% of the global increase in green vegetation between 2000 and 2017, making China the largest single contributor to global greening during that period.

A Chinese saying describes this perfectly, "众志成城 (zhòng zhì chéng chéng), meaning: the collective will can build a strongest city. This saying speaks to the power of collective determination and effort for a greater good like building the Great Green Wall.

Finally, China’s monumental achievements not only benefit its ecosystem but serve as a global model for combating climate change and desertification. Just as individuals thrive when adopting a forward-looking, optimistic mindset to anticipate and embrace change, nations too can rise to meet challenges with collective determination and vision.

China’s Great Green Wall demonstrates how visionary leadership and sustained effort can transform even the most inhospitable landscapes. By planting billions of trees and restoring ecosystems, China provides lasting benefits for future generations—a shining example of how the power of collective will, as captured in the saying "众志成城", can build not only a strong city but a stronger, greener planet.

Way to go!