Letter from Shanghai: Reflections on China in 2024 — #73

00:00 Overview: 3 weeks in China
02:33 The China knowledge problem: Grappling with Reality
06:54 Physics seminars in Shanghai and Beijing
15:54 Chinese academia, challenges in scientific culture
22:43 Yu Min: Two Bombs, One Satellite
27:02 He Jiankui and gene editing, plus the future of biotech in China
33:32 China's AI and chip war strategy. Impact of U.S. policies on semiconductor industry
35:46 Quiet confidence in China's technological advancements
37:17 Discovering my father's history in Yunnan, etched in stone
41:04 Climbing Jade Mountain on election night: Trump Triumph
48:31 Shanghai modern infrastructure and technology
51:16 High-speed rail in China
53:12 Visit China - or at least watch some travel videos on YouTube!




Links to X posts made during my trip - check out the whole timeline
during this period.

PPP and US vs PRC Real GDP

PhD student asks me whether Jews control US politics:

Note to retards, on "Chicoms":

Yu Min and the Chinese H-bomb:

Me and He Jiankui:

Dali:

Lijiang:

MAGA on the Mountain:

Business-class lie flat seats on HSR:

Kumming:

Shanghai:

Music used with permission from Blade Runner Blues Livestream improvisation by State Azure.

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[jamesho]

Fantastic report. As an ABC, I too, just recently returned from China, the third trip in the last year. It is gratifying that your observations parallel those of mine and most definitely are not that of the dystopic, oppressive society as portrayed in Western media. Perhaps a bit of projection? In spite of the recent economic downturn, which is to be expected for any economy, there is still a perceptible electricity within China. Something that I first experienced 40 years ago when I was a young med student visiting from the US. China has come so far in such a short period of time and never ceases to amaze me. I am planning yet another trip with my brother, sister-in-law and possibly my 80+ mother so that they may share in my awe of China!

[Praisethesunson]

Went to Bejing in 1997 and again in 2022. The difference was staggering. Easily the most expansive and comprehensive public transit on the planet. China obviously has it's problems but the improvements it has made as a state and improvements in the lives of the population cannot be understated.

[johnsmith]

It’s nice and refreshing to watch a video that is narrated by a human being rather than an AI narration, not to mention that this human being is also a very pleasant person to listen to and watch, and of course the content is so important.
Thank you very much for uploading this video, I enjoyed watching it.

[GoBFree]

Over the last several years I have been planning to travel to western China, so this is very timely. Thanks. My daughter lived in Beijing and Shanghai for three years, so I traveled extensively along the east coast and fell in love with the people and the culture. Chinese and Americans are so similar in many ways...ambitious, hardworking individuals. I will add Kunming and Emerald Mountain (with oxygen!) to my itinerary.

[davidk]

53:12 another argument for why one with the means to do so should seriously consider traveling to China in order to better calibrate one's understanding of China is that having a better, more accurate understanding of China untainted by the bias of vested interests that influence our media coverage helps one to hold our government officials accountable for their policies towards China, which arguably is an existential matter for all of us.

[eulescholz]

I am german and fell in love with chinese culture in my youth ( that was a long time ago) I Ging, Tao, Wilhelm Reich etc. Now in my 70ies I am learning chinese, because I pretend to visit China before I leave this world! I follow many vloggers on youtube, even chinese media, which on geopolitical issues is more balanced than any other midia in the West! As I am living in Brazil, a BRICS country, I am happy to see the comercial ties getting closer between China and Brazil! Pax Sinica!

[kooisengchng]

Those who travel frequently to China will notice that China changes from year to year. There is improvement in every sphere of life. There is no way US can keep up with this kind of improvement. No wonder US has to hobble China in every way it can.

[lucyng-pellicioli]

Thank you for such an engaging commentary. It's a long video but I was totally immersed - you are a great story teller! I was especially moved by the story of you searching for your father. Also, I was in all the places you mentioned just last summer.

[semqueixas]

Since the first manifold video I watched, I became a follower. It's always full of good and trustful information and analysis.

[folag]

Absolutely informative and entertaining. I don't often watch such a long video, but this one was captivating.

[juliegrimme]

Oh I'm enjoying your presentaiton. I just came back to the states after two weeks traveling around the bay area in the Souht. Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and flying to Hangzhou. So quiet, kind, honest, , hard working people. Such a pleasure to be there.

[pkrit]

Thanks for sharing your experiences in China. I have been to China many times this year but for business and leisure only. It is very interesting to hear from your perspectives involving academia there. BTW I lived in Kunming for 3 years from 2005-2008, it's a great place.

[eulescholz]

Just subscribed! Very interesting insider view with a personal touch! Greetings from Brazil!

[jwchen]

As a UM Wolverine, it takes a lot to give you a thumbs up, but I thank you immensely for your candor and realism about the challenges facing the most important relationship in the foreseeable future.

[stanleycheung]

Nice and very balanced reporting from China, needs more of this to the West.

[eriktan]

Hi Stephen, new subscriber here. The story of your father’s connection with 西南联大 and how you discovered this link between your family and the legendary history of the Chinese people’s struggles is truly beautiful. I’m a PhD student in the humanities here in California, and I also spent two years studying at UO back in 2017.

Although I was born and raised in Shanghai, I’ve become very Americanized in terms of mentality and lifestyle. Because of this, I really resonate with some of your attitudes and sentiments toward China—it’s the new frontier, the future, but it also faces so many challenges, much like the U.S. does. As you said, the biggest event unfolding on this planet over the next few decades is the Sino-US competition. As someone with ties to both of these great nations, I feel, in a way, a profound sense of historicity at this moment, along with my place in this process.

I don’t like Trump, but I don’t want to see him lose either—the whole deep state (which isn’t even that deep) is the common enemy of people around the world. Anyway, I just got a little sentimental listening to what you said. Cheers, and enjoy the rest of your time in China!

[eventhense]

the photo of your Dad in Yunnan - what a discovery for your family! I really hope to visit Yunnan some day.

[MSans-]

Very insightful video...thanks Steve! Superlative perspective beyond the noise.

[lynnwandering]

native chinese here, your story about 联大 is great, 联大 is a high point in our intellectual and academic history, the migration itself is incredible story, your dad surely lived a magnificent life.

[lianjunma]

Thank you for doing what you do. You are by far my most trusted source of information in this chaotic world. Keep up the amazing work. Wishing to meet you in person one day.