Yanwen’s blog

At the end of 1989, my children's grandparents visited the United States. During their stay, we went shopping for gifts to take back to China. They specifically wanted items made in America, but to their surprise, every toy they picked up was labeled "Made in China."

Grandpa was beaming with pride at this discovery, as though the toys were Chinese brands. However, I knew that these were American brands outsourcing their manufacturing to China to take advantage of cheaper labor. Back then, I wondered when China would begin creating its own globally recognized brands.

Fast forward to today: as China has lifted millions of rural citizens out of poverty, I’ve come to realize that these are the people toiling behind every assembly line, producing toys, electronic gadgets, and countless other goods that fill every American homes today. I feel compelled to document this extraordinary transformation—an evolution as dramatic as night turning into day—especially given the lack of coverage in Western media. It’s a story my children, and others, deserve to know. Especially to my children, if I don’t tell it, who will?

Challenges in Telling the Story

Finding credible, objective sources to tell this story remains a challenge. Western mainstream media often overlook China’s achievements, while Chinese sources are frequently dismissed as biased. However, exceptions start to emerge. Milestones like the Shanghai-Wuhan-Chengdu (HuHanRong) High-Speed Rail Line are too significant to ignore, compelling even skeptical media to acknowledge China’s advancements.

On November 12, Newsweek reported on the world's second-longest high-speed rail project nearing completion. This ambitious 2,078-kilometer railway is another testament to China's global leadership in high-speed rail.

A Closer Look at the Milestone

China already has the world's largest and most advanced high-speed rail network. The HuHanRong line, along with the existing 2,298-kilometer Beijing-Guangzhou line (the longest globally), solidifies China's position at the forefront of railway technology and infrastructure.  

One highlight of the HuHanRong project is the completion of the Zhanghe Rail Bridge, a feat of engineering that overcomes challenging geography to ensure the railway’s longevity. Such infrastructure projects exemplify China’s ability to tackle complex technical challenges while setting global benchmarks.

The Philosophy of Progress

A Chinese saying goes, “要想富，先修路” (yào xiǎng fù, xiān xiū lù), meaning: "If you want to prosper, build roads first." This wisdom reflects the underlying strategy behind China's massive infrastructure investments. The high-speed rail system is more than a transportation network; it’s a catalyst for economic integration, regional accessibility, and sustainable development.

Implications for China’s Future

When the HuHanRong line becomes operational next year, it will slash travel times, boost east-west economic integration, and unlock new opportunities for growth in China's west. Currently, China's economic development is heavily concentrated in its eastern coastal regions, leaving vast areas in the west underdeveloped. One of the Chinese government’s top priorities in the coming decades is narrowing this gap by developing the western regions. Projects like HuHanRong are key to achieving this goal.

China’s transformation from a low-end manufacturing hub in the late 1980s to a global leader in advanced infrastructure and other areas is nothing short of miracles — a story worth telling, even if it's too often overlooked.

Here are a few snapshots from daily life.  

Last month, I purchased an item on Walmart's website for $14. By November 15, the same item was priced at $20. I've noticed similar price spikes for other products as well. After some research, I learned that businesses are preemptively adjusting prices in anticipation of tariff hikes expected next year. Perhaps I should start storing some basic necessities now to prepare for the heavy uncertainty we are facing now.

Most parents are familiar with the concept of school bullying, known as 霸凌 (bà líng) in Chinese. The first character, 霸 (bà), conveys "tyranny, dominance, or aggressiveness," while the second character, 凌 (líng), means "to insult, humiliate, bully or mistreat." Lately I'm wondering: do children learn this type of behavior from observing adults?  

Recently, I witnessed—and even experienced—a mild form of bullying at the YMCA swimming pool. My friend Amy, who is four years older than me, jumped into the pool and began swimming on one side of the lane, as sharing lanes is common due to the limited space. However, a strong, assertive woman who was already swimming in the lane deliberately bumped into Amy, acting as if she hadn’t noticed her. “You’re in my way,” the woman said curtly.

Later, Amy shared her frustration with me. “She’s so aggressive!” she said. I replied that I’d had a similar experience and added, “Some people behave like school bullies, even though they are adults. The best we can do is avoiding them. Remember, the whole purpose of our coming to the gym is to stay healthy. Letting them upset us defeats that purpose.”  

This advice applies not just to individuals but also to nations. Some countries behave like bullies on the global stage. For countries like China, whose primary goal is economic development and lifting its millions out of poverty, it’s crucial to stay focused on what truly matters and not allow distractions—or aggressors—to derail its progress toward achieving long-term objectives.

A friend of mine recently asked, "How do you find time to write every day?" Honestly, writing itself isn’t the hard part—focusing is. There’s always so much to read, write about, and finish, with countless loose ends demanding attention. Without focus, I could easily let go hours without going anywhere.

Now, shifting to today’s topic: last Friday, I came across a report about tech stock sell-offs and the cooling enthusiasm following Trump's election win. The article noted that “half of the stock market’s euphoric post-Trump-election gains have vanished.” To me, this development is hardly surprising. If anything, it highlights two defining characteristics of a Trump administration: uncertainty and unpredictability.

On the surface, Trump is branded as a pro-capitalist leader, championing tax cuts, deregulation, expanding oil drilling, a withdrawal from climate agreements, and a resurgence of laissez-faire policies. However, beneath these promises lies a storm of concerns about long-term stability, policy implementation, and broader economic consequences.

Here are four key challenges that highlight the uncertainty:  

1. Tariffs and Trade Wars  The biggest elephant in the room is Trump’s tariff policy. Will we see a resurgence of trade wars? Heightened geopolitical tensions, alienation from allies, and disruptions to global trade and production loom as real possibilities. 

2. Leadership Instability   Many still recall the chaos of Trump’s first administration—frequent staff turnover, internal infighting, and cabinet appointments often driven by loyalty or campaign donations rather than qualifications. These patterns raise concerns about governance competence and undermine confidence in long-term leadership stability. A Chinese saying can well describe Trump here, 任人唯亲 (rèn rén wéi qīn) "Appointing people based on favoritism" or "Nepotism." It refers to a practice where individuals are chosen for positions based on personal relationships or loyalty rather than merit or qualifications.

3. Fiscal Responsibility  While proposed tax cuts might boost short-term profits, they also risk ballooning the national deficit if tariff revenues fail to deliver as expected. This could present a significant long-term economic challenge, one that investors and analysts are already wary of.

4. Diplomatic Unpredictability   Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy—like the 2018 meeting with Kim Jong Un—raises questions about what surprises might lie ahead. Will his next move destabilize international relations, or will it redefine diplomacy in ways no one anticipates?  

Ultimately, while Trump’s pro-capitalist proclamations have initially captured attention, the challenge lies in translating them into effective policies and executables. The potential for unprecedented global repercussions, coupled with governance and stability concerns, fuels an environment of caution. Investors, policymakers, and the public are left imagining a landscape dominated by uncertainty—a hallmark of the Trump administration.

Yesterday, I wrote about the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) led by Musk and Vivek. The initiative has sparked much discussion, with many questioning its feasibility and predicting failure.

However, regardless of its practicality or final outcome, there are positive aspects to this effort. Bureaucracy often grows unchecked, accumulating inefficiencies. Having someone periodically assess and trim the excess is not only prudent but necessary.

What stood out most was Musk’s declaration on his X platform: "All actions of DOGE will be posted online for maximum transparency." This commitment to openness is a refreshing change.

Musk also invited public feedback, saying, "If the public thinks we’re cutting something important or failing to cut something wasteful, just let us know." This reflects his openness to public oversight, a rare and commendable attitude.

Public supervision is a cornerstone of effective governance. It ensures governments operate lawfully, efficiently, and in line with public needs.

Musk’s commitment to transparency aligns with democratic principles, where public participation in monitoring government activities fosters accountability and continuous improvement. Whether DOGE ultimately succeeds or not, its focus on transparency and public involvement is a step in the right direction.

To end on a light note: I asked someone, “What does it mean when I say ‘我在等红灯’ (Wǒ zài děng hóng dēng)?” He said, “It means I’m waiting for the red light.” Makes no sense. Who in their right mind would wait for the red light? Actually, it means waiting for the green light!

On November 12, 2024, the world learned about Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy leading a new initiative in the Trump administration: the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). Although not a formal executive department, DOGE functions more like an independent advisory committee.

Its mission is ambitious: to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.” DOGE will operate in collaboration with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget, providing guidance and recommendations from outside the traditional government framework.

Currently, the U.S. federal government has around 440 agencies and sub-agencies, many with overlapping responsibilities. Musk aims to reduce that number to 99 while achieving over $2 trillion in savings—nearly one-third of the federal government’s annual $6.7 trillion budget.

This bold plan brings to mind a phrase I often heard in my younger years: 精兵简政 (jīng bīng jiǎn zhèng), which translates to "streamlining the military and simplifying administration." Coined during China’s early revolutionary period in 1941, the phrase emphasized reducing excess personnel and bureaucracy to improve efficiency and effectiveness in governance and military operations.

With that level of savings, the reforms may include the elimination of entire departments, such as the Department of Education. However, such level of changes require Congressional approval. The line of accountability runs through Congress. While Trump could implement certain minor reforms across the executive branch, enacting broader structural changes would require legislation granting him presidential reorganization authority.

Historically, the 2008 Presidential Directives on reorganization authority set clear limits:

- Presidential reorganization plans could not create or abolish entire departments.  

- Plans must address only one logically consistent subject matter.  

- The president could submit no more than one plan every 30 days and had to include a clear statement of projected economic savings.  

Trump holds a significant advantage in the current political landscape at least for the first two years, with Republicans holding a majority in both the Senate and the House. However, the Senate majority is slim, making it challenging to push through contentious changes. Achieving such transformational change will require considerable political capital and maneuvering.

By the way, it is reported that China had done the same back in 1982 when Deng Xiaoping established the Commission for Economic Reform, removing 39 out of 100 departments in the State Council, cutting bureaucrats from 50,000 to 30,000 in 18 months, in the DOGgEd spirit of 精兵简政.

Ultimately, Trump’s bold vision, guided by Musk and Vivek, represents an ambitious attempt to overhaul the bloated federal government. However, turning this vision into reality will require getting through numerous political hurdles, securing Congressional approval, and balancing the promise of efficiency with the challenges of execution. Whether this marks a transformative era or sparks a fresh wave of controversy and in-house fights remains to be seen. One thing is certain: grab your popcorn—there’s plenty of drama ahead.