Yanwen’s blog

On August 3rd, Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen made history by winning the gold medal in the women's singles tennis event at the Olympics. This victory is not just a personal triumph but also a symbol of a broader economic shift in China.

Tennis is a sport that requires significant financial investment, with every stage—from training to competing internationally—demanding substantial resources. For example, Zheng’s father hired top coaches, such as Carlos Rodríguez, with annual fees of 600,000 yuan, and sent her to train in the United States, adding to the financial burden. Overall, the family's annual expenses for her tennis career reached up to 3 million yuan.

It was said that Father Zheng spent 20 million yuan on her tennis career. They even sold their house. Growing up, Zheng Qinwen never eats snacks or drinks sodas, leading a very frugal life. As Zheng Qinwen said, she can be where she is now all because her mother quit her job when she was 12 to fully support her and her father’s supervision that pushed her to continuously improve. This reminds me so much of the experience of pianist Lang Lang's journey and the sacrifice that his parents made for him.

Zheng Qinwen's success is not just a victory on the court; it’s a testament to the evolving dynamics of Chinese society with the rise of a middle class, where from an ordinary family, determination, private support, and a new generation of athletes are beginning to redefine the future of sports in China. 

On the one hand, Zheng's story is emblematic of a broader shift from state-sponsored programs to a more diversified system where individual sacrifices and private sponsorships are increasingly pivotal.

On the other hand, her personal triumph also raises a poignant question: what about the countless talented young athletes who lack the financial backing Zheng's family provided? While Zheng's journey highlights the huge expenses, the potential for personal and societal advancement, it also underscores the challenges faced by those who do not have the same resources or opportunities. 

A Chinese saying goes, “苦尽甘来”(kǔ jìn gān lái), meaning: Bitterness ends and sweetness begins. This teaches people that after enduring the bitter hardship of training and diligent practice, you will taste the sweetness of success and rewards. It also reflects the sacrifices Zheng's family made and the success they are now beginning to see. This captures the essence of her journey and the broader aspiration for a system where all who are talented and willing to endure hardship can eventually taste the rewards of their efforts.

On Tuesday evening, during a meeting with one of my Korean students, I found myself reflecting on the cultural and traditional roles of women in some Asian countries.

When I scheduled our meeting for 5 pm, she asked if I needed time to prepare dinner. I replied that I didn't, as my husband handles the cooking. She was surprised, as most husbands in Korea don't do housework.

I mentioned that I encourage my son to pitch in at home and am glad to see that he does it. She responded that in Korea, a mother-in-law would be upset if she saw her son doing housework. Typically, the mother-in-law and her son sit in the living room chatting while the wife does all the chores.

This conversation reminded me of my Indian student, who told me that she handled all the household tasks while her parents-in-law and husband never lifted a finger.

I explained to my student that traditionally, Asian countries are quite patriarchal, assigning women subservient roles within the family and society. Women are expected to take care of all domestic responsibilities, such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare.

However, women in modern China, due to the revolution, have shed many of the old traditions that discriminated against them. Mao's famous saying, 妇女能顶半边天 (fùnǚ néng dǐng bànbiāntiān), meaning "Women hold up half the sky," recognizes the importance and strength of women in society and empowers them to fight for equal rights. It emphasizes gender equality and the vital roles women play in all aspects of life, including work, family, and community.

Culturally, Chinese women have made tremendous progress in achieving equal rights. However, politically, I would say, baby, you've come a long way but still have a long way to go. So far, China has not seen a female state leader like Park Geun-hye, former president of South Korea, or Pratibha Patil, former president of India. 

Finally, reflecting on these conversations, it's clear that while cultural norms and expectations regarding gender roles vary widely across Asian countries, there is a shared history of patriarchy that continues impacting women today. 

The journey towards gender equality is ongoing, and as the famous saying goes, "Women hold up half the sky"—a testament to their enduring strength and indispensable contributions to society. Indeed, baby, you've come a long way, but there's still further to go.

A friend of mine, having lived in India and been outside the US for a long time, now lives in both the US and abroad. He was amazed by "how difficult it is to be in the US and maintain a global perspective."

He shows his understanding by saying, I don't blame those in the US for their narrow vision because the media is so provincial and inward-looking that "most people can't even begin to understand the unknown unknowns of what's out there and what they're missing."

Because of this, there's little chance of improvement if you are not aware of your own naivety and ignorance. Reading extensively won't help, because there's no substitute for traveling and soaking yourself in the world to fully grasp the vast and unexpected extent of one's ignorance.

I recall one of my young relatives, who was only 9 years old at the time, believing he was smarter than everyone else in every way, except for our knowledge of English. He couldn’t be blamed for this perspective because, at that age, he simply didn’t know what he didn’t know.

Ultimately, at some point, you must challenge all the assumptions you once accepted as truths and try to think differently from your old self. My friend said, "the more I delve into new markets, the more I realize the overwhelming extent of my own ignorance. I consider myself fortunate to at least be aware of this fact."

The takeaway message is that average Americans live in a state of being isolated or detached from outside influences or experiences because of the insularity of media, not much different from my young relatives. The key to breaking out of this isolation is traveling outside the U.S. and immersing oneself in different cultures. While being exposed to different realities, ideas, and perspectives, it's crucial to be open-minded and humble enough to admit your ignorance and naivety and be ready to be challenged. 

A Chinese saying fits here perfectly, 井底之蛙 (Jǐng dǐ zhī wā), meaning "a frog at the bottom of a well" who thinks the sky is as large as the top of the well. It refers to someone with a limited outlook or narrow perspective, unaware of the broader world outside their immediate experience. It captures the idea of being confined to a small view, much like the insular perspective described about people living in the U.S.

In a world that is increasingly interconnected, it is essential to understand the confines and limitations of media-built info wells.

Only by being courageous enough to expose ourselves to different ideas and perspectives and by stepping out of our frog well can we hopefully overcome the insularity of the mainstream media, start seeing our naivety and ignorance and explore the vast horizons beyond.

Last weekend, I heard someone describing a parent as being "very prescriptive." This was the first time I had encountered this way of describing a parent or even a person.

Later, I learned that being prescriptive suggests that the parent employs a highly structured and authoritative parenting style, characterized by a high level of control, emphasis on discipline, security over adventure, order over chaos, adherence to established ways over innovation, and allowing limited freedom.

This style works well in kindergarten or among those who need specific guidance and instructions and who depend upon their guardians for decision-making.

It can be beneficial in providing a sense of security and clear expectations for young children but may also limit their independence and ability to make their own choices if not balanced with some level of flexibility and support for autonomy.

Children are like young trees that need sunlight, nutrients, guidance (staking), discipline (pruning), and freedom and space to grow. If a parent is super capable and tries to do everything for the children, he dwarfs them and blocks the sunlight, leaving them no room to develop their potential.

If the parent straitjackets the children beyond childhood, he deprives them of the freedom needed to reach the sky.

Similarly, prescriptive parenting is akin to micromanagement in the workplace, equally damaging in stifling creativity and growth. Just as a kite won't fly high if you don't let out the string -- "放风筝不放线，线短风筝难飞高" (Fàng fēngzhēng bù fàng xiàn, xiàn duǎn fēngzhēng nán fēi gāo), both children and employees won't reach their full potential if they are overly restricted.

Finally, it's important to keep in mind that both parenting and management benefit from balancing guidance with freedom, ensuring growth and development without unnecessary constraints and interferences. By fostering healthy and encouraging environments, individuals are nurtured and empowered to soar to the highest heights.

Recently, I read an article in The Economist titled "China’s Last Boomtowns Show Rapid Growth Is Still Possible," which highlights the impressive performance of small county-level cities in China. Among these, Yueqing stands out, offering valuable insights into achieving and sustaining rapid economic growth.

Yueqing's success is attributed to several key factors, which provide valuable lessons for the revitalization of Rust Belt cities in the U.S.

First, Yueqing's rapid development is deeply rooted in its entrepreneurial spirit and history. The city's businesses have evolved from producing basic components to more sophisticated and valuable electronic products. This transformation reflects a broader cultural and historical context that supports entrepreneurship and innovation.

Second, Yueqing benefits from its strategic geographic location near the port city of Wenzhou, which facilitates easy access to international markets and resources. This geographic advantage enhances trade and attracts investment.

Third, local government policies have played a crucial role in nurturing the city's industries. Officials have actively helped factories upgrade their production capabilities and shift to higher-value products. Effective government intervention, focusing on resource mobilization and establishing connections, has bolstered local businesses.

Fourth, policymakers in Yueqing have encouraged local enterprises to collaborate with nearby universities, fostering innovation and technological advancements. This partnership has enabled local businesses to surpass foreign competitors and become leaders in various tech fields.

A Chinese saying goes, 他山之石, 可以攻玉 (Tā shān zhī shí kě yǐ gōng yù) meaning: "The stones from other mountains can polish our jade." This saying emphasizes learning from other's experience in order to improve oneself.

The Rust Belt cities in the U.S., characterized by deindustrialization and economic stagnation, can learn some lessons from Yueqing's experience: such as, cultivating entrepreneurship and encouraging an entrepreneurial culture and supporting startups, identifying and exploiting geographic advantages, boosting government policy supporting local industries, establishing strong ties with local universities and research institutions to foster innovation and technological advancements and help local businesses stay competitive in the global market.

Yueqing's rise serves as a testament to the potential for rapid growth and economic transformation, even in smaller cities. By adopting similar strategies, Rust Belt cities in the U.S. or any place or individuals have the hope of thriving, revitalization and sustainable development. 

The key is 他山之石, 可以攻玉, learn from other's experience for all who want self improvement.