Language Isn’t the Only Barrier

In any business transaction it’s important to do thorough due diligence before signing on the dotted line. And when you’re considering entering the Chinese market there is a LOT of diligence to do. Beyond market research and economic analysis, there’s much more that potential investors or entrepreneurs need to familiarize themselves with to get a real grip on the business potential that China offers… and its dangers.

For those considering making the move to China, the amount of information flowing from here to the West can seem like a tsunami. Who should you follow for the best local information? Who are the voices inside this vast, complex country that can shed more light on the situation on the ground more than spreadsheets and earnings reports can? How can you take your knowledge a step further and go beyond simply knowing about events, and start moving towards truly understanding the economy and culture?

There are people who have spent the better part of their lives trying to decode the enigma that is Chinese society, and while we won’t pretend to have any magic crystal balls to offer that can lighten the workload required to gain even a rudimentary understanding, we can offer some direction.

News

The cohort of Western media based in China exploded in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics and it has barely subsided since. Given China’s early (remarkable!) recovery from the global financial crisis that followed those Games and its subsequent meteoric rise onto the world stage, it’s little wonder why.

With all of the reporters here there are lots of stories coming out of the country via lots of different news organizations. There are a few of them, however, that stand out not only for their consistent quality, but for their intense focus and dedication to the “China beat”. We think that you won’t go wrong with these sites on your daily “To Read” list.

Arguably the standard-bearer of world business news, The Economist’s team in China has vast experience and always presents stories in a global context.

This Wall Street Journal site combines the newspaper’s in-depth business coverage with commentary and analysis from a stable of very talented China-based writers with an unmistakably American point of view.

A repository of their always insightful China coverage, this section of The Atlantic’s website is a great source for thoughtful writing on issues in China. Their perspective is decidedly Western, but their analysis is balanced.

Expats

The best translators of a culture are often the people who have already chosen to live there. Complex issues can get simplified by Western media that struggles to explain things to a notoriously short-on-attention audience back home. And while it may seem that everybody has a blog these days, there is a growing stable of dedicated expats who are passionate about not only informing those on the outside of what’s going on within China, but also of making sure that everything is put into proper context.

A local blog, this site mixes in news and events out of Beijing with wry commentary on national stories. While deep insight into political or economic issues is scarce, what shows up on this site is a good barometer of what expats and locals are focusing on inside of China.

A site with a decidedly more national view than Beijing Cream, it still has its feet planted firmly in Mainland China’s most international city. What shows up here is often the topic du jour in China. There’s more mature observation going on here, but plenty of sarcasm, too.

Long-time expat Bill Bishop’s labor of love has morphed from a simple news clipping service for fellow market analysts into THE must-read daily newsletter for China watchers. Browsing through his morning round-up of stories from all over the Western and Chinese internet – coupled with brief, insightful commentary – is a necessary part of many expats’ daily routines.

A partner with The Atlantic, Tea Leaf Nation bills itself as an “e-magazine” rather than a blog. Here you can find really insightful opinion on issues that affect China from an inside perspective. Their stable of writers in China and the US makes an effort to focus on the news through then lens of what’s trending on Chinese media – both institutional and social. They’re wonky enough to satisfy the most devoted China hounds, yet light-hearted enough to be accessible to even the most neophyte observers.

Sinica (produced by Popup Chinese) is actually a podcast and not a blog, but it’s on the list because legendary Chinese-American rocker Kaiser Kuo is a longtime China hand who has gone from national rock ‘n’ roll icon to spokesman for Baidu– the country’s answer to Google. His deep experience bridging divides and longtime friendships with many in Western media and academic circles makes his weekly guest list a who’s who of Western thinkers and observers of China.

Local Flavor

Just how much do you want to know about China? If you’re thinking of doing business here, you really can’t learn enough about the people who call this country home. Alas, this is where the language barrier starts to become a problem, as all of China’s top sites are written in Chinese. But if you’ve got a translation app in your browser and a lot of patience, you can try wading through sites such as Hsu’s Blog, Letters from De Day and Lao Sha.

For those who maybe don’t have the time, there is still one more place for you to try:

These purveyors of Chinese culture make it their mission to translate the hottest internet memes and most polarizing discussion topics for an English-speaking audience. While this site tends to focus on cultural ephemera and is incredibly light on business news, it is an essential starting point for anybody who wants to learn more about China from the “man on the street” perspective. And it’s endlessly fascinating.

Of course the story doesn’t end here. But if you put these sites on your radar you’ll be well on your way towards getting a handle on what China is all about.