Yanwen’s blog

Monday, February 10, 2025

I read a story shared by an elderly Chinese woman who talked about her children's greed. When she was 72, she discovered that her children, whom she had always treasured, seemed more interested in her house than in her well-being. They planned to sell her house and send her to a nursing home. In response, she decided to sell her house herself, donate the proceeds to the nursing home, and then move there. What’s interesting is that she kept saying, "I raised my children well, but society turned them into such greedy people." To me, the key here lies with the parents.

On February 5, 2025, I came across a quiet but significant piece of news: "Synthomer Unveils New Innovation Centre in Shanghai." Dubbed the China Innovation Centre (CIC), this facility marks a shift in China’s global role—not just as a manufacturing powerhouse, but as a hub for cutting-edge innovation.

At 2,000 square meters—about half the size of a football field—the CIC represents a substantial investment in R&D. Picture a team of scientists and technicians working across multiple specialized labs, developing advanced polymers that shape industries from coatings and adhesives to construction and electric vehicles (EVs).

Why It Matters

1. Boosting R&D in China – The CIC strengthens local research in high-performance polymers, critical to industries like coatings, adhesives, construction, and EVs.  

2. Strategic Expansion in a Key Market – China is a global leader in construction, automotive, and renewable energy, making it a prime location for innovation in coatings and adhesives.

3. Part of a Global Innovation Network – The CIC joins five other innovation centers and seven technical centers worldwide, reinforcing Synthomer’s leadership in polymer development.

4. Driving Renewable Energy & EV Growth – As China dominates EV production and renewable energy adoption, the CIC will likely focus on polymers that enhance battery efficiency, durability, and sustainability.

A Subtle but Important Shift

While the news may seem low-profile, it reflects a broader trend: China’s evolution from a manufacturing giant to an innovation powerhouse. For companies like Synthomer, staying ahead means being where the next breakthroughs happen—and increasingly, that’s in China.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

A few days ago, someone I know said, "Health is the new wealth." The reasoning behind this is simple: your brain is part of your body, so by taking care of your body through exercise, you are also supporting your brain! Consider your cardio, strength, flexibility, and metabolic health— the better you feel, the longer you'll live. This is not only encouraging but also a reminder for us all.

This idea is central to book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey, which explores how exercise profoundly impacts brain health and overall well-being.

I've written about DeepSeek more than twice, yet I still feel there’s more to say. I’ve been trying to understand why the American tech world reacted with such shock to its emergence.

One explanation is the deeply ingrained belief that China is incapable of true innovation. In Silicon Valley, Chinese engineers are often seen as nothing more than highly skilled 打工仔 (dǎ gōng zǎi)—wage earners who work for others but never lead, never becoming visionaries like Sam Altman, Bill Gates, or Steve Jobs.

This reaction also reveals an unmistakable cultural arrogance—the assumption that technological breakthroughs should only come from the American-led Western world, while China can only produce imitators. While it’s true that the U.S. has long dominated the tech industry, assuming that this dominance is permanent or unchallenged is shortsighted.

But I believe the real reason for their shock is something deeper: they simply don’t understand China at all. In fact, they remind me of many Americans, including my children, who rely on American mainstream media to shape their perceptions of China.

For years, American media has filtered out anything that paints China in a positive light. As a result, even the most influential minds in Silicon Valley have an outdated, one-dimensional view of the country. To them, China is still just a land of cheap labor, endless manufacturing hubs, and suppliers of Walmart goods—not a nation brimming with entrepreneurial drive and creativity. Ironically, the very U.S.-led sanctions meant to suppress China have only strengthened its resilience and ingenuity.

A Chinese saying captures this well: 知己知彼，百战百胜—"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win every battle." I wish my children could take two lessons from this: first, whether as a nation or an individual, understanding your rivals is key to win the race. And second, pride comes before the fall. Arrogance blinds you to the strengths of your opponents, while complacency keeps you from pushing your limits.

If the American-led Western world continues to misjudge China, the real shocks are yet to come.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

On February 5, I had an online meeting with my Korean student, during which I asked her about her New Year’s resolution. Toward the end of the meeting, she asked about mine, and I promised to share it during our next session. Initially, I was planning to take the easy route by reusing last year’s resolution. However, as I reflected on what I had advised her, I realized that I had to practice what I preached. I needed to reexamine my path and future goals, fine-tuning my focus if I didn’t want to simply go through the motions. For this, I’m grateful to my student.

Yesterday, I wrote about new professions that have gained traction and have been officially recognized as distinct job types. Some emerging jobs, though not yet on the list, have already carved out significant niches in the market. These occupations have appeared rapidly in response to market demand, and some may evolve into specialized fields in the future.

The first category includes consulting services with added "spectator value." This means making the consulting process public. For example, a patient consulting a psychologist might have their session open for public viewing—much like a reality TV show. Practitioners provide consulting services, but the process is so compelling that it attracts a large audience. Of course, this would require informed consent from both parties involved.

Another intriguing job is that of a matchmaking analyst. This person analyzes potential marriage partners for others. You send them a resume of a person, and the matchmaking analyst can immediately deduce from their language the other person’s temperament, physical traits, financial situation, and professional background.

For instance, if a man says, "My family owns a house," it’s likely that the house isn’t actually his. If he claims his height is 176 cm, it’s probably under 175 cm. If his self-description doesn’t mention his weight, there’s a good chance he’s overweight. It’s a fun job that requires knowledge of Chinese culture and psychology.

In essence, this job combines service with entertainment. Some matchmaking analysts even film the analysis process, turning it into short videos or live streams. Reportedly, those with strong speaking skills can gain hundreds of thousands of followers in just a month.

Another example is live-streamed legal consultations, which are also like a reality show. Lawyers host Q&A sessions, typically addressing marriage and family matters. Users bring their cases to the live stream, and the lawyers act as advisors, solving emotional issues while guiding asset distribution. These real life stories are often "more exciting than fiction," attracting a large number of viewers who treat the lawyer’s live stream as both entertainment and relationship advice.

A Chinese saying comes to mind: "只有你想不到的，没有做不到的"—"There’s no such thing as what you can’t do, only what you haven’t thought of."

In a world where innovation often meets entertainment, these new professions highlight how closely the lines between work and leisure are blurring. As technology evolves and societal needs shift, new roles are emerging that challenge traditional notions of career and service. 

Whether it’s providing valuable advice or offering a unique form of entertainment, these jobs represent the creative ways in which we are constantly redefining our professional landscape. The future, as they say, is full of possibilities—there’s no limit to what we can create, as long as we’re open to thinking beyond the ordinary.

Friday, February 7, 2025

When I recently chatted with a friend about our daily routines, she shared her activities, which included exercise, practicing calligraphy and piano, cooking, reading, and writing. I shared mine as well, but what stuck with me was her comment: "A fulfilling life, with a sense of achievement from learning and writing." Her words reflected a life enriched by continuous learning and satisfaction that comes from writing and intellectual growth, and also by interactions like this.

On a different note, I was intrigued by the announcement at the end of July 2024 by China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, which announced 19 new occupations and 28 new job types. These new roles, spanning various industries, can be grouped into three main categories: service-related jobs, those linked to cutting-edge technologies, and those focused on green, low-carbon, and clean energy.

In 2019, the median income of Chinese people is expected to exceed $10,000. From the experience of developed countries, once a society reaches this income threshold, wealth tends to shift from manufacturing to the service industry. In other words, people will spend more on services, making the service sector increasingly profitable. The service industry broadly encompasses all professions that involve direct interaction with people and create value through meaningful connections.

Take one service job for example, ski patrols (滑雪巡救员, huá xuě xún jiù yuán), belonging to the first category, life service job. As living standards rise in China, more people are enjoying and engaging in outdoor activities like skiing. Over the past two years, participation in skiing has surged, with 35.42 million people taking part, and the total number of ski visits reaching 54.82 million. Skiing is a high-risk sport, often joked about with the saying, "the end of the ski slope is orthopedics."

In the past, ski resort rescue teams were typically composed of ski instructors who lacked medical training in injury assessment or emergency care. This gap has created a demand for specialized ski patrols. Alongside ski patrols, other emerging roles in the skiing industry include snowmakers, snow-slope planners, and ski instructors.

This shift in the job market highlights more than just new occupations; it’s a reflection of China’s rising living standards. As more people have the means to engage in expensive outdoor activities like skiing, we see a broader cultural shift—one where leisure and personal well-being are becoming integral to everyday life. The growing demand for ski patrols, snowmakers, and ski instructors is just one example of how rising affluence is giving rise to new industries. As the economy continues to evolve, the connection between growing wealth and the diversification of work opportunities will only become more pronounced.

Continue tomorrow...

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Last month, a Bloomberg article titled "Why The China Bubble Hasn't Popped" caught my attention. It seems people are persistently disappointed, waiting for China’s economy to collapse, only to be met with a reality that doesn’t align with those expectations. Unfortunately for the doomsayers, China’s economy isn’t on the verge of collapse. It’s evolving, adapting to ongoing challenges.

This situation brings to mind a saying that captures the essence of Chinese thinking: "摸着石头过河" (Mó zhe shítou guò hé), which translates to "crossing the river by feeling the stones." Often attributed to Deng Xiaoping, this metaphor reflects a pragmatic, flexible approach to reform. It’s about moving forward cautiously, step by step, with each decision informed by real-time feedback and experience. The key lies in trial and error and trial again until it works.

In today’s uncertain world, the question shouldn’t be when China will collapse, but rather how it will continue to adapt, innovate, and shape its role and thrive in the global economy.

On another bigger issue, on January 10, 2025, many outlets reported that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with confirmation from sources like the UN, WMO, and NASA.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) stated, “We saw extraordinary land and sea surface temperatures, extreme ocean heat, and severe weather affecting many countries around the world—destroying lives, livelihoods, and dreams. We also witnessed the retreat of sea ice and glaciers. It was an extraordinary year.”

NASA also confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record. According to their analysis, Earth’s average surface temperature in 2024 surpassed all previous years.

California, in particular, has faced devastating wildfires in recent years, driven by rising temperatures, dry conditions, and shifting weather patterns.

Glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace, contributing to rising sea levels. This phenomenon has been closely tracked by NASA, NOAA, and other climate researchers for decades.

There is a pressing need for countries to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, while simultaneously phasing out coal and other fossil fuel plants. 

Unfortunately, this transition is stalled in the U.S., where the current administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Accords and continues to prioritize the interests of the oil and gas industries. There's also a troubling lack of support for climate change action and clean energy solutions.

The situation is deeply disturbing, and it highlights the urgent reality of the climate crisis. The consequences are no longer future projections—they are happening now, in the form of raging wildfires, melting glaciers, and more extreme weather events.

It’s clear that simply expanding clean energy won’t be enough if we don’t also shut down existing fossil fuel infrastructure. 

Equally alarming is the lack of strong political and scientific leadership in the U.S. to confront climate change directly. Without this leadership, the world will inevitably look elsewhere for guidance in tackling climate issues.