Yanwen’s blog

On October 29, an article titled "TikTok’s Founder Is Now China’s Richest Person" caught my attention. The extraordinary popularity of TikTok has propelled Zhang Yiming, the 41-year-old cofounder of ByteDance, to the top of China’s wealth list. I wrote down some thought on the news that day.

For the first time, Zhang has claimed the title of China’s wealthiest person, with a reported net worth of $49.3 billion, according to the Hurun China Rich List 2024 by the Hurun Research Institute.

Zhang’s wealth surge is largely driven by TikTok's global success and ByteDance’s extensive portfolio, which includes platforms like Toutiao and Douyin. With 150 million active users in the U.S. and over a billion worldwide, TikTok’s influence has substantially boosted ByteDance’s valuation, placing it among the world’s most valuable tech companies. Remarkably, TikTok’s popularity remains strong despite looming threats of a U.S. ban.

There’s a Chinese saying, “树大招风” (shù dà zhāo fēng), meaning “big trees catch strong winds.” This proverb suggests that those in high positions often attract attention, criticism, or challenges. Just as a large tree is more susceptible to strong winds, prominent figures or organizations frequently face scrutiny or envy, encountering greater risks or opposition than those who stay out of the spotlight. It serves as a reminder of the potential pitfalls of sticking out—a caution to keep a low profile.

With the new US administration next year, for Zhang, being China’s wealthiest person and the founder of ByteDance and TikTok may mean as many unexpected challenges as it does prestige.

Whether TikTok will be banned in the U.S. remains uncertain, but various factors make it a possibility, especially given the shifting political climate. Future regulations might range from a complete ban to operational restrictions on TikTok within the U.S. There’s also a chance that the Trump administration could negotiate a compromise.

Ultimately, TikTok’s fate will likely hinge on the next U.S. administration’s stance, ByteDance’s lobbying efforts, and potential concessions. Amid this uncertainty, however, its 150 million active American users remain without a voice in the debate.

On election morning, I went to the YMCA. In the pool, I typically see more women than men, but that day, it was all women—I figured the men might be out voting. Later, as I passed by the NY homeless shelter, I noticed, as usual, only men outside and no women. It made me wonder why. Driving home, I reminded myself to look up data to see if these patterns I observed at the pool and shelter were supported by any trends.

Reading journalism books, I learned the value of a first-person eyewitness account. But I’m beginning to question the limits of this approach. Without relevant data, historical context, and multiple perspectives, a first-person narrative alone feels inadequate for truly understanding what one observes.

Now, days after the election, we know who will be the next occupant of the White House. America's policy toward China is likely to remain one of its most strategically significant areas of foreign policy, with far-reaching implications for global security and trade.

This story began during Trump’s first term, when he labeled China a "strategic competitor" and imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, sparking retaliatory tariffs from Beijing on U.S. goods. Also always remember China Initiative and Chinese Virus. Biden retained many of these Trump-era tariffs, which some believe has contributed to inflation in the U.S. and potentially impacted his VP in her White House bid.

There is a bipartisan consensus on getting tough with China, largely to appeal to American voters. Politicians find it easy to frame the loss of American jobs as a result of competition with China. However, many of these job losses in traditional industries, like steel, can be attributed more to automation and technology advances than to global competition alone. Unfortunately the average Americans do not dwell deep on this.

With Trump returning to the White House, we could see a significant shift in approach. While Biden has focused on building security alliances with other regional powers to contain China, Trump may favor direct, unilateral actions that could intensify the rivalry between the two nations. Keep in mind Trump’s unpredictability and anything is possible. A Chinese scientist could lose his job instantly under a new wave of Red Scare.

A Chinese saying goes, 山雨欲来风满楼 (shān yǔ yù lái fēng mǎn lóu), meaning "As the mountain rain looms near, the winds sweep through every corner of the building." The saying implies a brewing storm—a situation filled with mounting tension and anticipation of dramatic events. It reflects the sense of unease and the inevitability of coming shifts in U.S.-China relations with a new administration.

There’s certainly more to what the next four years could hold under Trump. One can’t fully prepare for the unpredictability that often accompanies his leadership.

A Chinese saying offers some perspective at times like this: 乱哄哄你方唱罢我登场 (luàn hōng hōng, nǐ fāng chàng bà, wǒ dēng chǎng), which means, "In a chaotic whirl, as soon as your song ends, I take the stage." It captures the unceasing drama of political life, where one leader’s turn is quickly followed by another’s. However dramatic Trump’s entrance, in four years, the stage will be set for someone else.

Not long ago, Chinese social media was flooded with the story of a young woman who shared her final journey to Switzerland for euthanasia after a lost battle with lupus. This story spread quickly, reaching me through family, friends in Beijing, and my high school and college groups. 

Her father traveled with her and would return with her ashes. His choice to support her wish for euthanasia, despite the emotional cost, adds a profound sadness to her story. His presence reflects a compassionate role, underscoring the emotional toll on loved ones who accompany someone to their end. This journey was undoubtedly agonizing for him—fulfilling her wish while confronting the heartbreaking reality of losing his child.

Though rare, her decision to choose euthanasia, document and share it publicly may have been an attempt to raise awareness of the severe pain and limitations lupus can bring, or perhaps to find comfort in a virtual community during her final days. Or perhaps it reveals her deep-harbored desire to be understood and remember. Or simply to connect with as many as possible in her last moments. Drawing a virtual audience to witness her experience, she also opened a broader conversation about chronic illness, euthanasia, and personal autonomy.

A Chinese saying, “雁过留声, 人过留名" (Yàn guò liú shēng, rén guò liú míng), which translates to “As a wild goose flies by, it leaves a call; as a person passes, they leave their name." This saying emphasizes the idea that just as geese leave echoes when they pass, people also leave behind their legacy or reputation, so when they leave this world, people still remember them. It also implies a reminder to live a life that leaves a positive mark or influence, as our actions and character will be remembered long after we’re gone. To leave her name behind, perhaps that's what was in her mind.

By sharing her story in real time, rather than reflecting privately, she invited the world to see and feel her journey. This immediate, digital narrative brought a rawness and urgency that would be lost in a retrospective account.

Her courageous choice sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media about her decision.

From a parent’s perspective, supporting a child in this choice may be the ultimate act of love and empathy, despite being one of the deepest heartbreaks. While his daughter is now free from suffering, the father must bear the weight of her absence and the memories of her struggle. This is an enduring form of grief—a loss that offers no resolution. Parents hope to see their children grow, flourish, and find happiness, so losing a child, especially in such a way, creates a void that nothing can fill.

This transition—from being a parent to facing life without his child—is a unique form of ultimate loss, leaving him in a painful state of “un-parenting” and a vacancy that defies words.

In honoring his daughter’s choice and standing by her to the very end, this father showed remarkable strength and acceptance. His presence in her final moments speaks to a love that embraces even the most painful goodbye.

Election Day has arrived, and with it, a palpable tension felt nationwide and beyond.

Yesterday, we stocked up on groceries, preparing to stay home today and tomorrow. As early as October 17, we began hearing about the potential for post-election unrest in D.C. “The threat of political violence will likely hang over the nation’s capital in the weeks following Election Day,” security experts warn, noting that despite heightened precautions, concerns linger about another incident like January 6.

In the face of such an intensely polarized climate, law enforcement officials are on high alert for possible violent reactions to the election outcome. Prepared measures include increased patrols, enhanced protection for key public figures, and close coordination with local agencies to respond swiftly to any flashpoints.

This caution stems from the possibility of a delayed vote count, especially in a close race. If one candidate seems to lead initially, only to lose as mail-in ballots are counted, some may misinterpret the shift as fraud, leading to heightened tensions.

Meanwhile, retailers and businesses have taken proactive steps to secure their storefronts, bracing against possible vandalism or looting. Although officials aim to avoid escalation, they are prepared to respond to incidents that could stem from charged political rhetoric or online misinformation, which could trigger isolated or “lone wolf” incidents.

In moments like these, a Chinese saying best captures the sense of tension and caution in DC right now: "草木皆兵" (cǎo mù jiē bīng). It means "every tree and bush looks like a hidden enemy soldier." It describes people under extreme tension imagine enemies lurking everywhere, conveying a heightened state of alertness and a readiness to respond to perceived threats—a fitting parallel to the current tense atmosphere around the election.

Zooming out, while tensions simmer locally, the world is collectively holding its breath. America’s election has far-reaching consequences, affecting global markets, trade dynamics, geopolitical alliances, and the stability of key regions like Western Europe and Asia. Depending on the outcome, we could witness everything from escalated trade conflicts to changes in Western European security strategies, especially in war zones.

As leaders across the globe, particularly in Western Europe and Asia, watch closely, it’s clear that changes in American leadership could either ease or intensify global tensions, shifting alliance, markets, especially with key players in Asia.