Yanwen’s blog

The looming shadow of the upcoming election has me viewing every piece of news through its lens. Yesterday, I read an article on Bloomberg, titled "How American Tax Breaks Brought a Chinese Solar Energy Giant to Ohio." The article explores how the Inflation Reduction Act has not only revived American manufacturing jobs but also created a unique opportunity for China to extend its influence in clean energy technology within the U.S. (10/29/2024).

In Ohio, a new factory—a joint venture between Invenergy, an American renewable energy developer (holding 51% ownership), and Longi Green Energy, a leading Chinese solar company (holding 49%)—is now producing solar panels. American workers, alongside Chinese experts, form a skilled and well-paid workforce. With Longi providing advanced technology, the collaboration allows for the production of tariff-free solar panels for the U.S. market.

Currently, over 100 Chinese workers are stationed on site, working with more than 1,000 Americans. This arrangement is temporary, set to end once American workers are fully trained and most Chinese workers return home.

This story exemplifies a growing pattern in renewable energy partnerships between the U.S. and China, combining American labor with Chinese expertise to produce tariff-free solar equipment for the domestic market.

Beyond job creation and competitive wages, this model highlights how international cooperation in green technology is revitalizing local economies. Additionally, China-based companies are replicating this approach across the U.S., establishing high-capacity plants that contribute significantly to American renewable sector.

As the election nears and uncertainty looms larger, questions arise about the future of these U.S.-China manufacturing partnerships. Will these U.S.-China joint ventures in manufacturing survive the political tides? Could they be dismantled under the guise of national security or economic priorities, despite their clear benefits for U.S. jobs, renewable energy goals, and local communities?

A Chinese saying, 合则两利，斗则两伤 (Hé zé liǎng lì, dòu zé liǎng shāng), means "When united, both sides benefit; when at odds, both are harmed." It emphasizes the mutual gains that come from collaboration. At the same time, it hints at the potential losses if political tensions disrupt these partnerships, emphasizing that cooperation leads to growth, while conflict only brings setbacks.

As the U.S. pivots towards a greener future, the fate of these U.S.-China collaborations rests on many things that are beyond control. Whether these ventures can withstand shifting priorities remains to be seen, but their success underscores the Chinese saying, —when united, both sides prosper.

As we approach November and the upcoming election, Robert J. Shiller’s article, "Donald Trump and the Sense of Power," published on November 21, 2016, comes to mind. Shiller, a Nobel Laureate in Economics, delves into the paradox of why Trump’s strongest support in 2016 came from lower-income Americans, even though his policies favored tax cuts for the wealthy.

Shiller attributes this phenomenon not to economic logic but to powerful psychological and social dynamics. Many lower-income voters, he explains, are drawn to charismatic leaders like Trump, who provide a sense of identity, hope, and emotionally resonant narratives.

Trump’s anti-establishment rhetoric, his promise to "drain the swamp," and appeals to national pride fostered a deep connection with voters disillusioned with the political system. 

Through his concept of "narrative economics," Shiller illustrates how stories—such as the promise to restore American greatness—can powerfully shape economic behavior and voting patterns.

For many, supporting policies like tax cuts for the wealthy may seem counterintuitive, but Shiller suggests it can reflect aspirational thinking and a cultural admiration for wealth accumulation. Some voters may envision that they, too, might benefit from such policies one day, driven by the hope of upward mobility.

This example shows how political identity and compelling narratives can sometimes override immediate economic self-interest in voter behavior. 

Finally, as election day nears, it’s worth remembering that voting choices are often influenced not only by personal gain but by shared values, identity, and a belief in a leader’s vision. Shiller’s insights on the influence of storytelling and identity in politics feel as relevant now as ever.

I have two news items worth sharing.

Yesterday, I wrote about food safety in a school cafeteria in Kunming, China. Around the same time, I came across a report on food preparation laws in India. I was somewhat familiar with unsanitary food practices there, which I assumed were cultural—no judgment, as long as people enjoy the food. But the practice of spitting in food is something altogether different.

That India’s government intervened against this practice suggests it’s considered just as unacceptable there. While I may not fully grasp the cultural context, it’s encouraging to see that food safety is becoming a shared priority across borders. 

A Chinese saying goes, 病从口入 (bìng cóng kǒu rù), meaning “illness enters the body through the mouth.” This wisdom underscores the universal importance of safe, clean food preparation, a sentiment now echoed in efforts worldwide.

Turning to another matter of governance, there’s news from Georgia: The losing candidate declared she does not accept the results of the recent parliamentary vote, officially won by the ruling party. She alleged a “Russian special operation” aimed at derailing Georgia’s path toward Europe. Standing with opposition leaders, she called on Georgians to rally, claiming a “total falsification” of their votes. Her words signal potential unrest and a possible escalation of political turmoil in the South Caucasus.

— “Tens of thousands of Georgians, many of them draped in EU and Georgian flags gathered outside parliament in Tbilisi on Monday night, in response to a call from the pro-Western president to press for the annulment of Saturday's election.”

She appealed to the European community to stand behind her after a disputed election that she says was "totally falsified".

Are we seeing the start of a broader trend where election results are increasingly contested? Are we going to see a repeat of January 6th Capitol Hill riot in Georgia? With the U.S. election only a week away, it’s natural to wonder: Could these events be a sign of what’s to come in other countries around the world?

I recently read about an unsettling incident in Kunming, Yunnan Province. A “spoiled meat scandal” at Changfeng Middle School—a well-regarded and expensive private institution—has drawn significant public outrage. It's so disturbing that I have to write about it.

The issue first came to light when students began experiencing stomach pain and other symptoms, which parents initially dismissed as a seasonal bug. But things took a darker turn when one concerned parent discovered the source: foul-smelling, spoiled pork in the school’s kitchen, ready to be cooked and served to the students.

When this parent shared the discovery with other families, a wave of anger surged through the community. Yet, instead of addressing the legitimate concerns, school officials tried to silence the complaints. 

As the outrage grew, the administration deflected responsibility onto a minor kitchen worker, requiring them to apologize in an attempt to quell the anger. This attempt to dodge accountability only intensified parents' frustrations and caused more up-roaring.

In response to the uproar, local authorities eventually launched an investigation, but their initial statements only fueled suspicion. Describing the rotten meat as having an "abnormal sensory odor" seemed like an attempt to downplay the issue. 

Further investigation uncovered severe negligence: not only was the meat mishandled without proper refrigeration, but the company contracted to provide meals was unlicensed, charging high fees despite being unqualified. Following these findings, the principal was dismissed, the director of the Education and Sports Bureau suspended, and the involved company fined over 6 million yuan.

This story sheds light on serious issues in food safety, transparency, and accountability in school environments. Events like these resonate because they reveal troubling patterns in institutions meant to protect children’s welfare, exposing how the pursuit of profit can overshadow public safety.

However, some positive outcomes have emerged from this crisis. First, parents are now more vigilant about food safety, recognizing the need to hold schools accountable. Second, school authority may attempt to cover up by silencing the complaints or shifting blame, parents can keep pressure on until school authorities to take real responsibility. 

Lastly, it serves as a stark reminder never to underestimate the dangers of unchecked greed, aptly captured by one parent's words, “What stinks is not just the rotten meat, but the rotten hearts blinded by greed.”

In the wake of this scandal, Changfeng Middle School parents have shown the impact of collective action, media attention, and vigilance, demanding accountability from those in power. Their efforts remind us that safeguarding children’s well-being is a shared responsibility and that transparency, not silence, must be the foundation of trust in our schools.

Yesterday, while we were walking down a Brooklyn street with the children, my son asked me about my father, his grandfather. At that moment, I had a thought in mind, but I didn't dwell on it, fearing the topic might be too complicated for our light stroll.

My father had always had a passion for military history, both Chinese and the world. He particularly enjoyed discussing the Spring and Autumn (771–256 BCE) and Warring States (475–221 BCE) periods of ancient China, believing they offer rich lessons about human nature, politics, power dynamics, and even social and economic reform—insights that remain relevant today.

I didn't fully grasp this until recently when I read about the EU's decision regarding Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).

During the Warring States period, two major diplomatic strategies were employed: 合纵连横 (hé zòng lián héng), which means "vertical and horizontal alliances." The vertical alliance strategy involved smaller or weaker states uniting against a dominant power, while the horizontal alliance as a counter strategy enabled the dominant power to forge individual alliances with neighboring states to prevent their unity.

In the EU’s recent decision to impose heavy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, the bloc seemed to be adopting a vertical alliance strategy by collectively resisting Chinese imports. Meanwhile, China employed a horizontal alliance approach, reaching out to individual EU countries—particularly those with significant trade ties, like Germany—to prevent a unified EU response.

These strategies culminated in a pivotal vote, where ten EU members supported the tariffs, five voted against, and twelve abstained.

Ultimately, the vote on the EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles highlights the complexities of Europe's relationship with China, especially regarding economic and industrial strategy. It underscores the EU's fragmentation, where national interests, trade dependencies, and economic alliances can often override a cohesive unifying approach. This fragmentation makes it easier for China to navigate challenges than it would be against a united Western front.