Podcasts about Xiaohongshu

Could Asia be entering a new IPO boom just as geopolitical tensions ease? SpaceX's explosive debut grabs headlines, but are Xiaohongshu and Foundation Healthcare the listings investors should really be watching? Can a tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal sustain the global rally, or is this simply a relief bounce fueled by falling oil prices? From BlackRock's hospitality bet to Nvidia's debt raise, China's AI challenger Zhipu, and SoftBank's surge, where is smart money flowing next? Hosted by Michelle Martin, we explore the winners, losers and emerging opportunities reshaping the investment landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headlines about China's economy often tell two contradictory stories at once: recovery and stagnation, consumer confidence and persistent caution, tech boom and structural drag. Making sense of what's actually happening requires someone who's tracking the data closely, week by week, from the ground up. Robert Wu does exactly that through Baiguan, a consultancy and popular newsletter that covers the Chinese economy, consumer trends, and business developments.In this episode, Robert gives us his unfiltered read on the state of China's economy in 2026. He breaks down two trends his recent newsletter highlighted: what's happening in the real estate market and whether salary recovery is real or overstated. He also assesses consumer sentiment and what it's actually showing up in spending behaviour across categories.Robert then takes us through a series of sector-specific spotlights: the auto market and whether robotaxis are genuinely scaling or still in hype territory; Pop Mart's trajectory and what it signals about Chinese consumer brands going global; DeepSeek's latest model and what it reveals about China's AI competitive position; and the food delivery war between Meituan and its challengers, and what that tells us about the state of China's consumer internet.He closes with the key variables that will shape the rest of the Chinese economy in 2026, and what international businesses should understand about China that isn't making it into the headlines. Discussion Points·       What Baiguan is, who Robert writes for, and what led him to cover the Chinese economy·       High-level read on the state of China's economy in 2026: recovery, stagnation, or something more complex·       Real estate market update: what the data is showing and whether the sector has turned a corner·       Salary recovery: how real it is, which segments are seeing it, and what it means for consumer spending·       Consumer sentiment assessment: how people are actually feeling and how it's showing up in spending patterns·       Auto market dynamics and the robotaxi question: genuine scaling or early-stage hype·       Pop Mart: bullish or bearish, and what its trajectory tells us about C-brand globalisation·       DeepSeek's new model and what it signals about China's AI competitive position relative to the West·       The food delivery war: who's winning, who's losing, and what it reveals about China's consumer internet·       Key variables to watch for the rest of 2026 and what international businesses are missing about China

【聊了什么The What】 这是一期三月份聊的节目，两个月后才发出来，新剧也成了旧剧——不过！想想三月份每周追剧的日子，还是很想念维斯特洛。 本期节目，我们联合友台美轮美换，邀请林三土（土师）与王浩岚两位嘉宾，和疲惫主播阿花一起解读HBO权游新剧《七王国的骑士》。在这部“小而美”的童话中，没有了焚城的巨龙，只有阶级倒挂的邓肯与小蛋。当贫民窟骑士遇上“不该成王的王”，剧情会如何推动？ 我们聊到《七王国的骑士》与《龙之家族》还有《权力的游戏》截然不同的视听质感，挖掘隐藏在草蛇灰线中的家族传承，从底层视角解构维斯特洛的统治逻辑，以及为何这种简单的道德故事在当下更有力量。这是一期硬核书粉与剧粉都不能错过的维斯特洛精英政治漫谈，涉及骑士比武、近亲结婚的疯狂血脉以及王室的“例外论”。 Note: This episode was actually recorded back in March and is only now hitting the airwaves. Our then-obsession is no longer new news, but we still miss those March days of weekly binge-watching, and we really miss the world of Westeros. In this episode, Cyberpink teams up with our sister podcast American Roulette (美轮美换) and special guests, Lin Santu and Wang Haolan, to unpack the new HBO Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. In this intimate, grounded tale, dragons are gone. Instead, we get the class-flipping dynamic of Dunk (Ser Duncan the Tall) and Egg (Prince Aegon V Targaryen). What happens when a slum-born hedge knight meets a prince who was never meant to rule? We break down how this show departs from Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, deconstruct Westerosi politics from the bottom up, and explain why this type of simple moral tale hit harder today. From knightly tourneys to royal incest and "Targaryen Exceptionalism," this is a deep dive hardcore fans won't want to miss. 【时间轴 The When】 02:06: 邓肯与小蛋：流浪汉骑士与坦格利安王子的阶级倒置友谊 05:12: 剧迷吐槽：对比《权力的游戏》烂尾与《龙之家族》的改编问题 16:19: 童话感外壳下的社会讽刺与底层视角 21:30: 英雄解构：御林铁卫的传说 vs 现实中的政治工具 26:43: 骑士文化：侍从制度、比武大赛与欧洲封建制历史原型 46:20: 比武审判，“七子审判”，“阿什福德诉桑顿案”与现实决斗法 55:26：从侍童（Page）到见习骑士（Squire）的成长礼对比中国古代身份制度与欧洲阶层区分 1:02:22 展望下一季，邓肯与布蕾妮的血缘彩蛋及未来剧集期待 02:06 Dunk and Egg: The class-inverted friendship between a slum knight and a Targaryen prince 05:12 Fan rants: Comparing the botched ending of Game of Thrones with the adaptation issues in House of the Dragon 16:19 Social satire and the grassroots perspective hidden beneath a fairy-tale exterior 21:30 Deconstructing heroes: The legends of the Kingsguard vs. their reality as political tools 26:43 Chivalric culture: The squire system, tournaments, and historical archetypes from European feudalism 46:20 Trial by combat, "Trial of Seven," Ashford v Thornton, and real-world dueling laws 55:26 The rite of passage from page to squire: Comparing ancient Chinese status systems with European social stratification 1:02:22 Looking ahead to next season: Easter eggs and expectations for future episodes 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

Most global businesses enter Asia with a playbook built elsewhere. The pricing models, growth assumptions, labour structures, and definitions of value that worked in North America or Europe get applied to markets that operate by fundamentally different rules. The result, as Eric Stryson has observed across nearly two decades of on-the-ground leadership work in Asia, is failure - not dramatic failure, but the slow erosion of credibility that comes from never truly understanding where you are.Eric Stryson is Managing Director at The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT), an independent pan-Asian think tank with offices in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. He has designed and facilitated more than 60 experiential leadership programmes across fifteen countries in Asia and the Middle East, working with over 3,000 executives from organisations including HSBC, Petronas, Marriott, MasterCard, and Standard Chartered. His public sector clients include the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Dubai Government, and the Central Bank of Malaysia.In this episode, Eric argues that much of what organisations believe they know about Asia is filtered through AI systems, research, and analysis shaped by Western institutions and historical precedents. Even conventional online research surfaces insights produced predominantly by incumbent Western policy and academic bodies, reinforcing a narrow and often distorted lens. Challenging these assumptions, he contends, requires moving beyond second-hand analysis and grounding decision-making in on-the-ground observation and lived experience.From renegotiating what 'value' means to understanding why Western growth models break down in Asia's diverse political and social contexts, Eric offers a rare perspective on what it actually takes to operate credibly in a post-Western, Asia-led growth environment. Discussion Points·       Why Western-filtered research and AI-generated analysis fail businesses trying to understand Asian markets·       Concrete examples of Western business models and assumptions breaking down on the ground in Asia·       How Asian markets define value differently - and why pricing strategies built elsewhere so often misfire·       Why 'scale fast, dominate markets' growth assumptions need renegotiating in Asia's diverse contexts·       What nearly 20 years of field project work in Asia reveals that research reports and case studies don't·       How consumption patterns and labour structures in Asia require businesses to rethink core operating models·       What 'post-Western world' means in practice for businesses operating in China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East·       How to use AI tools responsibly when the training data reflects predominantly Western institutional perspectives·       Why Hong Kong businesses face an urgent reinvention moment - and what that looks like in practice·       The single most important thing Western businesses should do differently before entering or scaling in Asian marketsGuest BioEric Stryson is Managing Director at The Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT), an independent pan-Asian think tank with offices in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. He has designed and facilitated more than 60 experiential leadership programmes across fifteen countries in Asia and the Middle East, working with over 3,000 executives from C-suite to high-potential talent. His corporate clients include AIA, BASF, CITIC, DBS, FedEx, HSBC, Marriott, MasterCard, Panasonic, Petronas, Prudential, and Standard Chartered. His public sector clients include the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Dubai Government, the Central Bank of Malaysia, and various provincial and county governments in mainland China. Eric's articles have appeared in the South China Morning Post, Financial Times, China Daily, and The Straits Times, and he has been interviewed by CNBC. Links & Resources·       GIFT website: www.global-inst.com·       Eric Stryson profile: global-inst.com/team/eric-stryson·       SCMP: Reinvention must start now if Hong Kong businesses are to survive change·       FT Letter: A Bric in a de-dollarised wall or a new architecture?·       Digital Transformation Documentary: Eric Stryson on technology causing problems

So, the fifth month of 2026 is complete - and it was another one dominated by the impacts of the US/Israel war in Iran/Lebanon. This week, Gary and Hannah recap May's top 8 travel takeaways from across ASEAN and beyond with stopovers in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia, plus China, India and the UK. En route, we discuss flight route cuts across South East Asia, China, Japan and South Korea, and look at whether plans for an ASEAN reserve stockpile of crude oil would ease future jet fuel shocks. Meanwhile, visitor arrivals slowed in key markets and cratered in Cambodia and currency values fell sharply in Indonesia and Thailand. On a brighter note, carriers in Singapore and Malaysia are seeing growth on routes with Australia and Europe. Plus, we assess the surge of Indian tourists to Vietnam, and address the potential benefits of Xiaohongshu's impressive tourism tie-up in Singapore .

Some women in China are unhappy with how brands are making women's clothing. Posts on the social media site Xiaohongshu show just how awkward the sizing can be. A video of a tiny dog squeezed into a size L women top went viral as proof that brands label tiny clothes as much bigger than they actually are. Now many women are turning to menswear for its durability, quality and low cost. BBC Chinese reporter Eunice Yang explains the trend in detail.This isn't just happening in China. Gender and age in fashion have been getting more blurred. Fashion Psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell explains why we could all benefit from shopping in any department.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Benita Barden and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Emily Horler

【聊了什么The What】 点击疲惫娇娃专属链接购买《挽救计划》中文翻译本：https://s.click.taobao.com/TGDx25m 同样是面对太阳危机，有人选择抽签牺牲一半人口，有人选择赌上性命去相信一个异星邻居。 本期节目，我们聊了聊这部披着硬科幻外壳的暖心喜剧。为什么比起刘慈欣式的黑暗森林和牺牲叙事，Andy Weir这种复古的、甚至有点天真的技术乐观主义反而更让人泪流满面？节目还深入挖掘了电影与原著的观感差异：从书中惊心动魄的硬核推理，到电影中极具魅力的物理喜剧，以及那个手搓一切的claude code大蜘蛛Rocky。 What do you do when faced with a galaxy-wide astrophage crisis that threatens the center of our solar system: the sun? While some choose a lottery system that sacrifices half of humanity (hi Thanos), others stake their lives on trusting an alien neighbor. In this episode, we dive into Project Hail Mary, a heartwarming comedy wrapped in a hard sci-fi shell. In a world that leans more towards Liu Cixin's Dark Forest survivalism theory and narratives of forced sacrifice, why does Andy Weir's retro—and perhaps slightly naive—technological optimism move us to tears? We break down the page-to-screen adaptation, Ryan Gosling's incredibly charismatic physical comedy, and why everyone is falling in love with Rocky, the spider-like engineer (aka your personal Claude Code) who literally hand-crafts anything and everything. 【时间轴 The When】 01:41：《挽救计划》电影概况：2026年全球热议的科幻巨作 11:29：书影对比：原著中的物理推演与电影的影视化改编 19:41：演技大赏：瑞恩·高斯林如何赋予主角人性厚度 26:34：Rocky的魅力：手搓通道、心算能力与类似中文的沟通方式 31:20：缅怀贝尔实验室：那个充满纯真与乐观的美国技术黄金时代 35:57：斯特拉特：桑德拉·惠勒如何塑造坚定的“哲人王” 42:39：为什么我们要反思“必须死掉一半人”的科幻设定 48:45：姚指挥官与卢钦卡的《Wind of Change》瞬间 54:24：反战与互信：《House of Dynamite》和黑暗森林法则的破解 58:29：博弈论死局：用利他选择破解“别人先开枪”的焦虑 01:41: Project Hail Mary Overview: The Global Sci-Fi Sensation of 2026 11:29: Page vs. Screen: Hard-Core Physics Deductions meets Cinematic Adaptation 19:41: Performance Review: How Ryan Gosling Adds Human Depth to His Character 26:34: The Charm of Rocky: Hand-Crafted Tunnels, Mental Math, and a Chinese-Style Way of Communicating 31:20: Ode to Bell Labs: The Pure and Optimistic Golden Age of American Tech 35:57: Stratt: How Sandra Hüller Shapes a Resolute "Philosopher King" 42:39: Deconstructing the Trope: Why We Must Rethink the "Half of Humanity Must Die" Sci-Fi Setup 48:45: Commander Yao and Ilyukhina's "Wind of Change" Moment 54:24: Anti-War and Mutual Trust: Breaking the Dark Forest Law via House of Dynamite 58:29: The Game Theory Deadlock: Overcoming the "Who Shoots First" Anxiety with Altruism 【拓展链接 The Links】 点击疲惫娇娃专属链接购买《挽救计划》中文翻译本：https://s.click.taobao.com/TGDx25m 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

As artificial intelligence tools become cheaper, smarter and easier to use, they are helping more Chinese entrepreneurs turn personal expertise and online followings into one-person companies (OPCs), building lean businesses powered by digital platforms and AI-driven productivity.随着人工智能工具变得更实惠、更智能、更易用，越来越多的中国创业者正借助AI，将个人专长与线上粉丝转化为“一人公司”，构建以数字平台和AI驱动的生产力为支撑的轻量化商业模式。For Wang Yao, founder of an OPC built around her online personal channel "Wiley", the appeal lies not in scale, but in flexibility and low risk.王瑶（网名“Wiley”）就是一位围绕个人线上频道打造“一人公司”的创业者。对她而言，这种模式的吸引力不在于规模，而在于灵活性和低风险。Through social media content sharing personal growth, life abroad and cost-effective ways to improve productivity, Wang's channel has attracted over 100,000 followers on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, and has built a business centered on consulting services and brand partnerships.王瑶通过社交媒体分享个人成长、海外生活以及高性价比的提升效率方法，其频道在中国社交平台小红书上吸引了超过10万粉丝，并围绕咨询服务和品牌合作构建了商业模式。"The company operates in a very healthy way because it has zero debt, low costs and high flexibility," Wang said, describing her business model as the monetization of "trust-based traffic".“公司运营非常健康，因为它零负债、低成本、高灵活性，”王瑶说，她的商业模式就是将“信任流量”变现。Wang said more people are beginning to realize that entrepreneurship no longer necessarily requires large teams, venture capital or corporate backing.王瑶表示，越来越多的人开始意识到，创业不再必然需要庞大的团队、风险投资或企业背书。"People are gradually discovering that you don't have to join a major company or pursue fundraising and IPOs," she said. "One person can still build a decent business through their own skills and influence."“人们逐渐发现，不一定要加入大公司，也不一定要追求融资和上市，”她说，“一个人凭借自己的技能和影响力，同样可以打造一份体面的事业。”The content creator added that the rapid development of AI tools has become a major factor behind that shift.她补充道，AI工具的快速发展正是这一转变背后的主要推动力。"I do not need to hire copywriters, designers or video editors. AI has taken on these roles. That keeps the marginal cost of running my OPC extremely low and allows me to test new content directions or business models with very low risk," she said.“我不需要雇佣文案、设计师或视频剪辑师。AI承担了这些角色。这让我的‘一人公司'边际成本极低，也让我能够以极低的风险尝试新的内容方向或商业模式。”"The growing abundance, accessibility and usability of AI tools are key to one person becoming a team," said He Xia, a former chief engineer at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.中国信息通信研究院原总工程师何霞表示：“AI工具的日益丰富、易用和好用，是‘一个人成为一支队伍'的关键。”Current AI tools can cover functions from software development and daily searches to image generation and audio-video production, and AI agents such as OpenClaw are also lowering the coding threshold and bringing opportunities for entrepreneurs with little technical background, said He.何霞指出，当前AI工具已覆盖软件开发、日常搜索、图像生成、音视频制作等功能，而且，像OpenClaw这样的AI智能体还在降低编程门槛，为缺乏技术背景的创业者带来机遇。The trend is now reshaping China's entrepreneurial landscape. According to the China OPC development trends report (2025-30) released by the Zhongguancun Talent Association in February, the number of OPCs nationwide had exceeded 16 million by June 2025, accounting for 27.4 percent of all enterprises in China.这一趋势正在重塑中国的创业格局。根据中关村人才协会2026年2月发布的《中国一人公司发展研究报告（2025-2030）》，截至2025年6月，全国“一人公司”数量已超过1600万家，占中国企业总数的27.4%。In the first half of 2025 alone, China registered 2.86 million new OPCs, up 47 percent year-on-year and accounting for nearly a quarter of all newly registered businesses.仅2025年上半年，全国就新注册了286万家“一人公司”，同比增长47%，占同期新注册企业总数的近四分之一。Still, analysts also cautioned that AI alone cannot guarantee long-term business success.不过，专家亦提醒，仅凭AI并不能保证企业长期成功。"Many people focus only on AI's impact on productivity while overlooking that in the 'human plus AI' model, the human remains the core competitive factor," said Zhou Guangsu, a professor at Renmin University of China's school of labor and human resources.中国人民大学劳动人事学院教授周广肃表示：“许多人只关注AI对生产力的影响，却忽略了在‘人+AI'的模式中，人仍然是核心的竞争因素。”Zhou said that while AI can help entrepreneurs rapidly build products and applications, commercialization still depends heavily on business judgment, market insight and resilience under pressure.周广肃指出，虽然AI能帮助创业者快速构建产品和应用，但商业化仍然很大程度上依赖于商业判断力、市场洞察力以及抗压能力。Pan Helin, a member of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy, said OPCs should not become a purely symbolic trend.工业和信息化部信息通信经济专家委员会委员盘和林表示，“一人公司”不应沦为纯粹的符号化趋势。"What matters is substance over form," Pan said, adding that lowering transaction costs, improving the business environment and strengthening talent-support policies will be key to the sector's sustainable development.盘和林强调，关键在于“实质重于形式”。他补充道，降低交易成本、改善营商环境、强化人才支持政策，是这一业态可持续发展的关键。expertise /ˌekspɜːˈtiːz/专长，专业技能lean business /liːn ˈbɪznɪs/轻量化商业模式cost-effective /kɒst ɪˈfektɪv/高性价比的，划算的entrepreneurial landscape /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːriəl ˈlændskeɪp/创业格局

HOW TO HIRE IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN 2026   The post-pandemic recovery, shifting regulatory landscape, and explosive growth of domestic tech giants and surprising resilience of export economy in face of Trump Tariff War, have completely rewired how Chinese professionals evaluate opportunities.   What attracted top talent five years ago - multinational brand prestige, expat packages, hierarchical titles—now falls flat against the priorities of a new generation.   Meanwhile, local competitors are mastering AI-driven recruitment, offering unprecedented flexibility, and tapping into talent pools Western companies barely know exist. This webinar cuts through the noise to reveal what's actually working in China right now. If you're serious about building teams in the world's most complex talent market, this is your competitive intelligence briefing.   10 Critical Shifts Reshaping Hiring in China   • The Rise of "Quiet Loyalty" vs. "Lying Flat" • Domestic Giant Competition – How BYD, ByteDance, CATL, and Huawei are rewriting compensation, perks, and career development benchmarks—setting expectations that foreign employers now struggle to match • AI-Native Recruitment Platforms – Why LinkedIn's China exit created a fragmented ecosystem of super-apps (WeChat, Maimai, Boss Zhipin, Xiaohongshu) and how AI-powered matching algorithms on these platforms now determine candidate visibility • The Regulatory Tightrope – Navigating 2026's evolving data privacy laws, cross-border data transfer restrictions, and employment contract requirements that can derail hires before day one • Localiaation Beyond Translation – Why "glocal" strategies fail in China and how winning employers build autonomous, culturally-embedded talent teams rather than exporting Western HR playbooks • The Returnee Talent Wave – Tapping into the growing pool of overseas-educated Chinese professionals returning home - what they expect, what they're leaving behind, and why they choose local over multinational • Flexible Work Realities – Confronting the gap between China's 996 legacy and younger workers' demands for work-life balance, remote options, and mental health support—without sacrificing productivity expectations • Skills-First Hiring in Practice – Moving beyond degree pedigree and brand-name resumes to competency-based assessments, as China's education inflation makes traditional credentials increasingly unreliable signals • Employer Branding on Chinese Social – Mastering Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Douyin, and Zhihu for talent attraction—platforms where candidates research your reputation through employee-generated content, not corporate career pages • Succession-Proofing Your China Leadership – Addressing the critical shortage of ready-now local leaders and why 2026's winners are accelerating executive development programs rather than importing expat talent     All this and more as we tackle what it's like to hire on of the main drivers of the global economy.   We're on Tuesday May 5th, 10am BST / 5pm CST. Save your seat (click on the green button) to register and follow the channel here (recommended) to be notified whenever we go live with a new show.   Live session includes extended Q&A on your specific China hiring challenges. Recording available exclusively to registrants.

Lisa Nan, Beauty Editor at Jing Daily, joins The Negotiation to break down what's really happening in China's beauty and luxury markets right now. From the rise of C-beauty brands challenging international players to the unexpected virality of Kris Jenner as China's 'money goddess,' Lisa tracks the trends that are reshaping how brands sell in the world's largest beauty market.In this episode, Lisa covers the hottest brands and sub-categories driving growth, the emergence of male beauty and the silver beauty market (50+ consumers), and the decline of mega-anchors in China's livestreaming ecosystem. She explains which domestic and foreign brands are winning, what's replacing the mega-anchor model, and how moments like the Winter Olympics and viral memes reveal deeper shifts in Chinese consumer behavior.Lisa also discusses the current state of China's overall beauty and luxury markets, functional beauty trends like scalp care and science-backed skincare, and the emerging developments international brands should be monitoring closely. Whether you're a brand considering China entry or navigating the market's rapid evolution, this conversation offers actionable insights from one of the industry's sharpest observers. Discussion Points·       Current state of China's beauty market: strengths, weaknesses, and key dynamics shaping 2026·       Overall luxury market health: which brands are cutting stores, which are doubling down, and why·       Hottest domestic C-beauty brands (Proya, Florasis, Winona) and foreign brands succeeding in China·       Fastest-growing sub-categories: scalp care, fragrance, functional beauty, and science-backed products·       Male beauty market expansion: how brands are approaching male consumers differently·       Silver beauty market (50+) finally taking off: who's getting it right and what's driving demand·       Decline of mega-anchors in livestreaming: what happened and what's replacing the mega-anchor model·       Kris Jenner as China's 'money goddess': what viral memes reveal about Gen Z consumer engagement·       Winter Olympics impact: Eileen Gu, Su Yiming, and how brands leverage winter sports moments·       Emerging trends to watch: what's on the radar that international brands might be missing

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes Dr. Nici Sweaney, founder of AI Her Way and one of the most compelling voices on ethical AI adoption, gender equity in technology, and responsible AI systems.Nici has an extraordinary background. She started in butterfly ecology, spent 17 years as a quantitative scientist in academia, and has worked with the United Nations, World Bank, WWF, Hewlett-Packard, and Salesforce. Named one of Microsoft's Top 10 Trailblazing Entrepreneurs in AI, she's now helping organizations across over 20 industries adopt AI in ways that drive efficiency while maintaining ethical standards.This conversation explores how AI is fundamentally reshaping consumer behavior and brand discovery. Nici breaks down what AI means for marketing strategy, how brands should be thinking about the funnel differently, and where the biggest operational transformations are happening inside consumer businesses.The discussion also tackles critical equity and representation questions. Nici explains why it matters who builds AI systems, how different global models shape what consumers are exposed to, and the practical implications of bias in training data for brands using AI in customer-facing applications.Finally, Nici shares systems-level thinking on AI adoption. She walks through how leadership teams should be approaching this strategically, why governance and ethics need to be built in from the start, and where overwhelmed organizations should begin.This is essential listening for anyone leading AI adoption, building consumer brands, or trying to understand how AI is changing the way people discover, evaluate, and buy products.Discussion Points·       Nici's journey from butterfly ecology to quantitative science to founding AI Her Way·       What AI Her Way does and who it serves across 20+ industries·       How AI is reshaping consumer behavior, brand discovery, and purchasing decisions·       Marketing transformation: rethinking the funnel, channels, and content creation in an AI-driven world·       Operational impact: where consumer brands are seeing the biggest AI-driven transformations·       Why equity and representation in AI matter for consumer-facing applications·       How different global models (Western vs Chinese vs others) shape what consumers see·       Practical implications of bias in AI training data for brands·       Systems-level thinking: how leadership teams should approach AI adoption strategically·       Building governance and ethical frameworks from the start, not as an afterthought·       Where overwhelmed organizations should start with AI adoption·       Closing the AI gender gap and why women need to help shape AI's future·       Big shifts coming in AI over the next 2-5 years for consumer behavior and brand marketing·       Key takeaway for business leaders and marketers on AI

In this rapid-fire update episode of The Negotiation, our host, Todd Embley, sits down with Jacob Cooke, CEO and Co-Founder of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, for a fast-paced conversation covering the biggest developments in China's e-commerce and AI landscape.Jake unpacks Alibaba's recent earnings—why he's encouraged despite weak earnings—and breaks down the significance of their new AI business unit, Token Hub, and the Wukong platform. The conversation explores the OpenClaw phenomenon sweeping China and what it means for enterprise AI adoption.The episode also dives into WPIC's latest annual data report, revealing strong growth across China's e-commerce market and the dramatic platform shift toward Douyin. Jake shares fascinating insights on the pet category—including the explosive growth of live dog and cat sales on social commerce platforms—and highlights other standout trends in nutraceuticals, fashion, and sports.Jake also provides his read on Canada-China relations following Prime Minister Mark Carney's historic visit, discusses the excitement around Canadian journalists being back on the ground in Beijing, and shares what the diplomatic reset means for Canadian brands like Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose.This is a must-listen for anyone tracking China's consumer market, AI developments, or Canada-China business opportunities. Enjoy!Discussion Points·      Alibaba's latest earnings: why Jake is encouraged despite net income down 66%·      Token Hub and Wukong: How Alibaba is restructuring to monetize AI through tokens instead of subscriptions·      The OpenClaw phenomenon: Why it's exploding in China and how cheap, capable models fuel adoption·      WPIC's annual data report: Top-level takeaways on China's e-commerce market (2023-2025)·      Pet market deep-dive: 20.4% growth and the rise of live pet sales on Douyin·      Nutraceuticals surge: 27.3% growth and Douyin overtaking Tmall for the first time·      Canada-China relations: What PM Carney's visit means for business and why CBC journalists being back matters·      Canadian brand performance: How Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose are doing on the ground·      Increased business confidence: Western leaders' visits to China and rising brand interest·      Key message for international brands entering or expanding in China in 2026

China's top internet regulator announced on Saturday a new initiative to standardize the labeling of short video content, aiming to curb the spread of misleading information and maintain a healthy online environment.国家互联网信息办公室3月21日发布新规，要求规范短视频内容标注，遏制虚假信息传播，维护清朗网络空间。The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) stated that inconsistent labeling standards across various platforms have allowed fictionalized narratives, staged marketing and AI-generated content to go unlabeled, misleading the public and disrupting social order.中央网信办指出，由于各平台标注标准不一，导致虚构剧情、摆拍营销、AI生成等内容未作标注，严重误导公众认知，扰乱社会秩序。Under the proposed guidelines, platforms must standardize mandatory tag categories and make labeling a compulsory step in the publishing process. Beyond new uploads, the regulator will also require platforms to retroactively tag existing content to ensure universal compliance.根据中央网信办的部署，各平台须规范强制标注类别，并将标注设定为发布流程中的强制环节。除新增内容外，平台还需对存量内容进行回溯标注，确保全面合规。Six major platforms — Douyin, Kuaishou, Tencent, Xiaohongshu, Bilibili and Weibo — have begun retrospective action, removing more than 37,000 misleading or staged videos and penalizing over 3,400 accounts. Approximately 600,000 videos have been updated with appropriate labels, while the platforms have also optimized their interfaces to ensure ease of use for creators.抖音、快手、腾讯、小红书、哔哩哔哩、微博等六家重点平台已开展存量标注工作，累计清理虚假或摆拍内容3.7万余条，处罚账号3400余个，补充标注短视频60余万条，并同步优化发布界面，方便用户进行标注。The CAC stated that it will soon be issuing a clear timeline for the implementation of the requirements nationwide, while the regulator warned that it will conduct inspections to gather evidence and will strictly penalize and publicly expose accounts or platforms that fail to comply with the new labeling standards.下一步，中央网信办将明确具体工作要求和工作进度安排，在全国范围内统一部署推进规范短视频内容标注工作，并同步开展巡查取证，严惩未按要求进行标注的账号和主体责任落实不力的网站平台，公开进行曝光。curb /kɜːrb/遏制staged marketing /steɪdʒd ˈmɑːrkɪtɪŋ/摆拍营销retroactively /ˌretroʊˈæktɪvli/追溯地；有追溯效力地

【聊了什么The What】 电影颁奖季随着奥斯卡2026的完结落下帷幕，本期疲惫娇娃一年一度又来带着大家来例行盘点奥斯卡。先从争议开始，我们讨论了《K-pop猎魔女团》获奖感言被粗暴掐断引发的亚裔“噤声”事件和流媒体如何让学院派感到“被蚕食”的恐惧。几个娃也重点解析了年度大热《一战再战》与《罪人 Sinners》：艺术家电影人PTA是如何交出一份让大众满意的答卷？Ryan Coogler又是如何用恐怖片外壳包裹美国南方的移民血泪？我们对比了最佳男主提名的甜茶和获奖的Michael B. Jordan的表演（如果好奇我们对于甜茶的看法，请移步隔壁百花newsletter仔细阅读），也讨论了我们喜欢的导演赵婷和贾法·帕纳西。全球秩序分崩离析的当下，好莱坞的美式中心主义叙事在还站得住脚吗？敬请收听本期节目一探究竟。 Welcome to the annual Oscars recap by your neighborhood film and pop culture critics: CyberPink. We start off with controversies: discussing the "silencing" of Asian voices after the acceptance speech for K-Pop Demon Hunters was abruptly cut short, and exploring the ongoing battle between rise of streaming giants and the traditional film industry the Academy represents. We then jump into the heavy hitters: “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” – how did auteur Paul Thomas Anderson deliver a film that (finally) satisfied the masses? And how did Ryan Coogler use the framework of a horror film to envelop the blood, sweat, and tears of the American South's immigrant experience? We compare the performances of Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet and winner Michael B. Jordan (if you're curious about our hot takes on Timmy “Sweet Tea”, please head over to our Baihua Newsletter for the full debrief). We also share our love for directors Chloé Zhao and Jafar Panahi. In an era where the global world order is fracturing, is there still space for an America-centric narrative in Hollywood? Tune in to this episode to find out. 【时间轴 The When】 01:39：从杨紫琼到《K-pop猎魔女团》：亚裔在奥斯卡的“闭麦”困境 08:48：《罪人Sinners》深度解析：原创剧本、吸血鬼隐喻与真实的华裔移民史 21:24：最佳男主讨论：怎样才是最佳表演，我们为什么喜欢日漫宅男Michael B. Jordan 26:54：PTA 的《一战再战》：一代大师如何拍出“合群”的佳作 37:13：电影工业焦虑：竖屏电影、影院发短信与看不进长片的下一代 38:32：国际影片《情感价值》：细腻如“北欧杨德昌”的家庭剖析 46:41：赵婷的“修仙”片场 52:56：颁奖礼遗珠：伊朗导演贾法·帕纳西的《一场意外》 54:20：好莱坞的美国中心主义：这到底是“奥运会”还是“超级碗”？ 57:34：电影行业新气象：选角奖首设与女性摄影师的历史性突破 01:39: From Michelle Yeoh to “KPop Demon Hunters”: Silencing Asians at the Oscars 08:48: Deep dive into “Sinners”: original screenplay in an era of sequels, vampire metaphors, and Chinese immigration history in the south 21:24: Best actor discussion: what defines a "best performance"? And why do we adore Michael B. Jordan 26:54: PTA's “One Battle After Another“ -- how a master auteur crafted a "crowd-pleasing" masterpiece (finally) 37:13: Film industry's ever-growing anxiety: vertical screens, texting in theaters, and a whole generation losing the ability to watch feature-length films 38:32: International feature “Sentimental Value”: a delicate and intimate look at a family's anatomy 46:41: On the set of Chloe Zhao: her "transcendental" filmmaking style 52:56: Awards season snub: Jafar Panahi's “It Was Just An Accident” 54:20: Hollywood's America-centrism: is the Oscars the "Olympics" or the "Super Bowl"? 57:34: New frontiers in film: the inaugural casting award and historical breakthroughs for female cinematographers 【拓展链接 The Links】 所有我们单独做过节目的episode： 哈姆内特 戛纳 一战再战 猎魔女团 其他拓展链接 Dolly Li 美国南方的中国移民 纽约时报最佳导演提名者采访 Jafar Panahi 专访 讲述在美国的中国矿工的恐怖片 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes Colin Jeavons, Founder and CEO of Nomix Group—a forward-thinking holding company reshaping digital commerce through AI, performance marketing, and creator-driven commerce.Colin is a veteran of the digital space with over 25 years of experience, from the early days of commercial search in the late 1990s to today's AI-powered shopping revolution. Under his leadership, Nomix Group has driven over $2.5 billion in verified product sales and built an ecosystem spanning five specialized divisions—Shopnomix, Appnomix, Fanomix, Pronomix, and Creatornomix—each tackling different aspects of how consumers discover, evaluate, and buy products online.Colin recently made waves by predicting that AI will drive a 30 percent surge in digital commerce spending across Western markets by 2027—a bold forecast reflecting fundamental shifts in consumer behavior. This conversation explores what's driving that transformation, how AI answer engines and agentic shopping are changing the game, and what Western brands should learn from China's leadership in social commerce, live-streaming, and creator-led shopping on platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Taobao Live.From the "post-advertising" era to the rise of creator economies, Colin offers a comprehensive view of where digital commerce is headed and how brands can prepare for a future where content, community, and AI converge to create "Commerce, Everywhere."Discussion Points·      Colin's background in digital commerce from the 1990s to today's AI revolution·      What Nomix Group is and how its five divisions work together·      The "post-advertising" phase of digital commerce and what's driving it·      Colin's prediction: AI will drive 30% growth in digital shopping by 2027·      What AI-powered commerce actually looks like—answer engines, agentic shopping, conversational AI·      The explosion of creator-driven commerce and influencer marketing·      Lessons Western brands should learn from China's social commerce playbook (Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Taobao Live)·      Building "agentic marketplaces" where AI connects content directly to commerce·      The infrastructure behind "Commerce, Everywhere."·      How performance marketing is evolving in an AI-first, creator-driven world·      Democratizing AI commerce tools for small businesses and ensuring fair creator economics·      What's next for Nomix Group and digital commerce·      Key advice for brands preparing for the AI commerce shift

Major social media and content platform Red Note, or Xiaohongshu, announced new governance measures on Tuesday targeting accounts automatically operated through AI tools, saying violations could lead to account bans in the most serious cases.周二，小红书公布了针对利用 AI 工具自动运营账号的新治理措施，称情节最严重的违规行为将导致账号封禁。In a statement posted on its official account, the platform said it recently discovered that some users were running accounts using so-called AI "hosting" models, in which content is automatically generated and published through technical tools, while comments, private messages and group chats are also generated to create the appearance of real user interaction.该平台在其官方账号发布的声明中表示，近期发现部分用户采用所谓 AI “托管” 模式运营账号，即通过技术工具自动生成并发布内容，同时自动生成评论、私信和群聊内容，营造真实用户互动的假象。It stressed that using AI technology to impersonate real users, create non-authentic content or conduct fake interactions will be strictly prohibited.平台强调，严禁利用 AI 技术冒充真实用户、生成非真实内容或开展虚假互动。Under the new rules, accounts that are directly registered, operated and interacted with through AI hosting tools, or those whose publicly visible posts are entirely generated and published by such tools, will face account bans, according to the statement.声明称，根据新规，凡通过 AI 托管工具直接注册、运营、互动的账号，或公开发布内容全部由该类工具自动生成并发布的账号，将面临封禁处理。For accounts that occasionally use AI hosting tools to create, post or interact, Red Note said it will adopt a tiered penalty system based on the severity of violations, including warnings and restrictions on content distribution.对于偶尔使用 AI 托管工具进行创作、发布或互动的账号，小红书表示将根据违规情节轻重采取分级处罚机制，包括警告和限制内容分发。"It is every genuine record and every sincere exchange that together create the warmth of the community," the announcement said, calling on users to use AI tools responsibly during the creative process and to ensure that posts continue to reflect real experiences and personal insights shared by individuals.公告称：“正是每一条真实的记录、每一次真诚的交流，共同构筑了社区的温度。” 平台呼吁用户在创作过程中负责任地使用 AI 工具，确保发布内容持续体现个人分享的真实经历与个人感悟。governance /ˈɡʌvənəns/ 治理violations /ˌvaɪəˈleɪʃnz/ 违规行为impersonate /ɪmˈpɜːsəneɪt/ 冒充；假扮genuine /ˈdʒenjuɪn/ 真实的；真诚的

In this special episode of The Negotiation, WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke steps in as host to interview Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director & COO at the Canada China Business Council—one of the leading organizations supporting Canadian businesses in China and strengthening bilateral commercial ties.This episode offers a unique perspective: Jacob was in Beijing during Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to China—the first by a Canadian leader in years—giving him firsthand insight into the trip's significance. Together, Jacob and Bijan unpack what the visit means for Canadian business and Canada-China relations, with Bijan's deep expertise in trade policy, market access, and bilateral economic engagement complementing Jacob's on-the-ground observations.This conversation comes at a critical moment: as the U.S. administration raises questions about Canada's engagement with China, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on the facts—what was actually agreed, what it means for jobs and GDP, and why China remains a vital market for Canadian exporters and businesses.Discussion Points·       The historical context and significance of Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China·       Whether the visit achieved a meaningful reset in Canada-China relations·       Specific outcomes and agreements from the trip—sector-by-sector wins for the Canadian economy·       CCBC's role during the visit and how members have reacted·       How Canadian businesses are reassessing their perceptions of China post-visit·       Next challenges CCBC will work to solve for Canadian business·       Clarifying misconceptions around a potential "deal" with China and U.S. political concerns·       The strategic importance of China to Canada's economy—jobs, GDP, and export opportunities

【百花新闻信 Baihua Newsletter】 百花 Baihua Newsletter 正式上线了。也希望疲惫娇娃的听众们去订阅这个新闻信。 如果你一直在听《疲惫娇娃》《美轮美换》，或者来过我们的读书会、线下活动，你其实已经在百花的世界里了。只是现在，我们想把这个世界更系统、更持续地建起来。我们想记录中文播客圈正在发生什么，记录中国互联网的公共讨论空间，也记录这一代数字原住民华语创作者如何在"平行互联网"之间生存、创造、发声，这个新闻信是双语的，我们几个女的和其他百花成员会轮流写作。 请点击这里订阅：https://baihua.substack.com/ 如果打不开这个链接，请用以下问卷留下你的邮箱账号：https://wj.qq.com/s2/25773709/59ax/ Baihua Newsletter has officially launched. We warmly invite listeners of CyberPink to subscribe. If you've been listening to CyberPink or Mei Lun Mei Huan, or have joined our book clubs and offline events, you've already been part of the Baihua world. Now, we want to build that world in a more systematic and sustainable way. Through Baihua, we aim to document what's happening in the Chinese-language podcast sphere, trace the evolving public discourse on the Chinese internet, and explore how a generation of digital-native Chinese creators are surviving, creating, and speaking across what we call “parallel internets.” The newsletter is bilingual. We — along with other Baihua contributors — will take turns writing. Subscribe here: https://baihua.substack.com/ If you can't open the URL above, leave your email address here: https://wj.qq.com/s2/25773709/59ax/ 【聊了什么The What】 这期节目是vibe shift三部曲的最后一集——在酝酿了很久以后，我们终于找到了一个适合开启的角度——“匮乏”。这里的匮乏不仅仅指经济指标上的衰退（如好莱坞罢工、票房崩溃、生活成本危机），更指向一种集体心理状态：对美好未来的想象力丧失了。 当“信心”消失，欲望就变成了苦涩的愤怒和嘲讽。我们聊到了韩国电影中为了生存系统性谋杀竞争对手的失业男主，聊到了好莱坞自由主义叙事的全面崩塌，以及 Gen Z 为何不再相信《哈利·波特》式的英雄主义。在这样一个极化、原子化、被算法裹挟的时代，我们该如何寻找解药？答案或许在于做一些“低效”但具体的事情，比如给邻居送菜，比如慢慢地讲一个故事。 This episode is the final installment of our “Vibe Shift” trilogy. After circling the theme for a long time, we finally found the right entry point: scarcity. Scarcity here doesn't only refer to economic downturns — Hollywood strikes, collapsing box office numbers, or the cost-of-living crisis. It points to something deeper: a collective psychological state in which the imagination of a better future has eroded. When confidence disappears, desire curdles into resentment, sarcasm, and anger. We talk about a Korean film in which an unemployed man systemically eliminates his competitors just to survive. We discuss the collapse of Hollywood's liberal narrative framework. We explore why Gen Z no longer believes in Harry Potter–style heroism. In an era defined by polarization, atomization, and algorithmic manipulation, how do we find an antidote? Perhaps the answer lies in doing things that feel inefficient but concrete — bringing vegetables to a neighbor, telling a story slowly and carefully. 【时间轴 The When】 00:00 什么是“匮乏感”？它不只是缺钱，而是对未来失去信心。当希望消失，欲望会转化为愤怒和犬儒。 05:30 从《无路可逃》和《爱丁顿》说起。当资源紧缩，他人变成路障。传统“供养者”男性叙事在现代系统中崩塌。 12:11 自由主义叙事开始失效。观众厌倦好莱坞的说教，《The Studio》揭示的是文化工业的瘫痪与精英脱节。 23:36 代际断裂。为什么 Gen Z 对《哈利波特》那种九十年代式的乐观主义越来越无感，Gen Z 成长于极化与停滞之中，不再相信善恶分明的世界。 36:00 我们开始怀旧：布拉德·皮特和《F1》是一个典型例子，电影构建了一个没有政治争议、只有输赢规则的世界。传统男性气概重新被召唤。你爹还是你爹。这种叙事满足了人们对确定性的渴望，也提供了一种逃避复杂现实的方式。 47:50 性别角色回潮。《爱情盲选》和 tradwife 现象反映了在极化时代中对安全感的表演式追寻。 55: 50 AI 并未带来连接，反而放大分裂，我们开始怀疑“科技救世”的神话。《神奇四侠》中的技术乐观主义不复存在。 1:23:30 西方社会 生活成本危机加剧匮乏感。算法利用焦虑制造争吵，社交网络赛博巴尔干化是什么？ 1:35:30 结语 拒绝犬儒，从具体行动开始。真实的连接或许是对抗虚无的唯一方式。 00:00 What is “scarcity”? It's not just financial lack, but a loss of faith in the future. When hope disappears, desire turns into anger and cynicism. 05:30 We begin with No Other Choice and Eddington. As resources shrink, other people become obstacles. The traditional male “provider” narrative collapses within the modern system. 12:11 The liberal narrative loses its grip. Audiences are exhausted by Hollywood moralizing. The Studio exposes paralysis within the cultural industry and its detachment from ordinary life. 23:36 A generational rupture. Why Gen Z no longer connects with 1990s optimism like Harry Potter. Raised amid polarization and stagnation, they no longer believe in a morally clear world. 36:00 We turn to nostalgia. Brad Pitt and F1 serve as a key example. The film constructs a world without political conflict — only winners and losers. Traditional masculinity is revived. “Daddy is still daddy.” It satisfies a longing for certainty and offers escape from complexity. 47:50 The return of gender roles. Love Is Blind and the tradwife phenomenon reflect a performative search for safety in a polarized age. 55:50 AI did not bring connection; it amplified division. We begin to question the myth of technological salvation. The technological optimism of Fantastic Four no longer holds. 1:23:30 The Western cost-of-living crisis deepens scarcity. Algorithms exploit anxiety and manufacture endless conflict. What does cyber-Balkanization of social networks mean? 1:35:30 Conclusion. Reject cynicism and begin with concrete action. Real human connection may be the only antidote to nihilism. 【拓展链接 The Links】 阿花： Beyond the Machine: Creative agency in the AI landscape Personal canon by Celine Nguyen Remaking Liberalism: The Past, Present, and Future of Freedom by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson 配图：从1998年开始的价格变化 影视/剧集： 电影《无路可逃》(No Other Choice / The AX) 电影《爱丁顿》(Eddington) 电影《F1》 电影《神奇四侠》(Fantastic 4) 剧集《The Studio》 真人秀《爱情盲选》(Love is Blind) 剧集《Abbott Elementary》 书籍/人物/概念： Daron Acemoglu (经济学家) Hanif Abdurraqib (作家/诗人) Tradwife (传统家庭主妇风潮) Cyber-Balkanization (赛博巴尔干化) Identity Politics (身份政治) 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes Tom Simpson, Managing Director of China Operations and China Chief Representative for the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC)—one of the leading organizations supporting UK businesses in China and strengthening bilateral commercial ties.Tom joins the show to unpack Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's recent visit to China—the first by a UK leader in eight years—and what it means for British business and UK-China relations. With deep expertise in bilateral trade and on-the-ground operations in China, Tom provides an insider perspective on the specific outcomes of the trip, CBBC's role during the visit, and what comes next for UK companies navigating the Chinese market.From visa-free travel to tariff reductions, Tom walks through the concrete agreements reached and explores what they mean for different sectors of the UK economy. The conversation also addresses the ongoing challenges and opportunities UK businesses face in China, and where the greatest potential lies for UK-China commercial cooperation in the years ahead.Discussion Points·       Historical background to PM Starmer's visit—why the eight-year gap and how the trip came about·       Whether the visit achieved a meaningful reset in UK-China relations·       Specific agreements and announcements: visa-free travel, tariff reductions, and other key outcomes·       CBBC's role during the trip and member reactions·       Current challenges and opportunities for UK companies operating in China·       Priority areas for UK-China commercial cooperation over the next few years·       Key message for UK business leaders is still uncertain about China as a market

We interview Kenny Wow, a popular creator on Rednote or Xiaohongshu with thousands of American followers. His witty storytelling about life in a Chinese small town has garnered a large following. He shares insights on how Chinese New Year is changing and explains what the West often gets wrong about China, covering issues from Social Credit Scores to the cost of eating out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Negotiation podcast, host Todd Embley welcomes back Justin Downes, President of Axis Leisure Management and one of the foremost experts on skiing and winter sports development in Asia.With nearly two decades of experience shaping China's ski and snowboard industry — including playing a role in the infrastructure behind the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics — Justin brings a rare, on-the-ground perspective. More recently, his work in Japan's ski market gives him a comparative lens on how Asia's two most important winter sports economies are evolving.With the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, this conversation dives into participation trends, market growth, and where the biggest opportunities lie for brands, operators, and investors across China and Japan.Discussion Points·       Where Justin is joining from and what he's been focused on since his last appearance·       A high-level assessment of the 2025–2026 ski season in China·       Comparing the outlook for China and Japan's ski markets — similarities and divergences·       Data and trends around skier and snowboarder participation in China·       How the profile of the “typical” Chinese skier has evolved in recent years·       Chinese athletes to watch ahead of the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics·       Whether Milan 2026 could spark another participation boost across China and Asia·       The evolution of indoor skiing in China and its role in market development·       Commercial opportunities across resorts, equipment, apparel, training, and experiences·       Key takeaways on what the next five years hold for skiing in China and Japan

Chinese tourist numbers to Japan have plummeted amid diplomatic frictions, security warnings, large-scale flight cancellations, and growing concerns over natural disasters and disease outbreaks, experts said on Tuesday.专家周二表示，受外交摩擦、安全警告、大规模航班取消以及对自然灾害和疾病暴发的担忧加剧影响，赴日中国游客数量急剧下降。Chinese carriers have canceled nearly half of all flights from the Chinese mainland to Japan this month. The downturn began in November, when remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi involving Taiwan triggered public backlash, according to Yang Jinsong, a researcher at the China Tourism Academy.中国航空公司本月已取消近半数从中国大陆飞往日本的航班。中国旅游研究院研究员杨劲松指出，自去年11月日本首相高市早苗涉及台湾问题的言论引发公众强烈反响后，航班量便开始下滑。Yang said the drop in traveler demand is the result of multiple overlapping factors. "In addition to fluctuations in bilateral relations that have fueled public sentiment, travelers are increasingly wary of Japan's public security situation, recent earthquake activity, as well as disease outbreaks," Yang said.杨劲松表示，旅客需求下降是由多重因素叠加造成的。他说道：“除了双边关系波动引发的公众情绪波动外，旅客对日本公共安全状况、近期地震活动以及疾病暴发的担忧也在不断加剧。”On Monday, three major carriers — Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines — announced that passengers who purchased tickets before noon that day for Japan-bound flights scheduled between March 29 and Oct 24, 2026, would be eligible for free refunds or changes.周一，三大航空公司——中国国际航空、中国南方航空和中国东方航空——宣布，凡在当天中午之前购买2026年3月29日至10月24日期间飞往日本航班机票的乘客，均可免费办理退票或改签手续。Since Nov 15, 2025, Chinese carriers have canceled a large number of flights to Japan. Data from aviation platform Flight Manager shows that in January 2026, the cancellation rate for flights from the Chinese mainland to Japan reached 47.2 percent, up 7.8 percentage points from the previous month. As of Monday, flights on 49 routes scheduled for February had been canceled.自2025年11月15日起，中国航空公司大幅取消飞往日本的航班。航空平台Flight Manager数据显示，2026年1月中国大陆飞往日本的航班取消率达47.2%，较上月上升7.8个百分点。截至周一，原定2月份执飞的49条航线航班已被取消。According to immigration statistics released by the Japanese government on Jan 15, about 348,700 Chinese nationals, excluding those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, traveled to Japan in December 2025, down about 40 percent from the previous year and about 35 percent from November 2025.日本政府1月15日公布的出入境统计数据显示，2025年12月赴日中国公民（不含香港、澳门及台湾地区）约34.87万人次，较上年同期下降约40%，较2025年11月下降约35%。China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday issued a travel advisory warning that public security in Japan has deteriorated in recent months, highlighting a rise in criminal cases targeting Chinese citizens. Earthquakes in several regions have caused injuries, and the Japanese government has warned of possible follow-up seismic activity, it said.中国外交部周一发布旅行提示，称日本近月来治安状况恶化，针对中国公民的刑事案件有所增加。该提示指出，日本多地发生地震造成人员受伤，日方政府已警告可能出现后续地震活动。"Chinese citizens in Japan are facing serious safety threats," the ministry said in the statement, advising travelers to avoid visiting Japan and those already there to closely monitor security conditions as well as earthquake and disaster alerts.外交部在声明中表示：“在日本的中国公民正面临严重的安全威胁。”建议旅行者避免前往日本，已在当地的人员需密切关注安全状况及地震灾害预警。Meanwhile, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said on Tuesday that a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, the country's 18th outbreak this season, was confirmed at a poultry farm in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo. More than 100,000 quail were being raised at the farm.与此同时，日本农林水产省周二表示，东京附近的千叶县一家禽类养殖场确诊爆发高致病性禽流感疫情，这是该国本季第18起疫情。该养殖场饲养着超过10万只鹌鹑。On social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, users have been debating whether Japan remains a viable holiday destination. One user, nicknamed Xiaoyu, posted on Tuesday asking for advice on whether to proceed with a planned Spring Festival hiking trip along the Kumano Kodo trail.在社交媒体平台小红书上，用户们正热议日本是否仍是可行的度假目的地。一位昵称为小雨（音译）的用户周二发帖询问，是否该按计划在春节期间前往熊野古道徒步旅行。"I am preparing a 'Plan B' amid fears of flight cancellations and other uncontrollable risks," the user said.小雨（音译）表示：“鉴于航班取消及其他不可控风险的担忧，我正在制定‘B计划'。”While some commenters said they were increasingly worried, others said their trips in December were largely unaffected.虽然部分评论者表示他们越来越担心，但也有人称他们12月的行程基本未受影响。Yang said Chinese travelers may consider alternative destinations for the holiday period, as uncertainty surrounding flights and safety conditions continues to influence travel decisions.杨劲松表示，由于航班安排和安全状况的不确定性持续影响着出行决策，中国游客可能会考虑在假期期间选择其他目的地。aviation/ˌeɪ.viˈeɪ.ʃən/n.航空（学）；飞行（术）；航空工业

社群軟體 shèqún ruǎntǐ – social media platform小紅書 Xiǎohóngshū – Xiaohongshu (a Chinese social media app)命令 mìnglìng – order; command停止解析、限制接取 tíngzhǐ jiěxī, xiànzhì jiēqǔ – suspend resolution and restrict access封鎖 fēngsuǒ – to block; to ban資安 zī'ān – information security資安檢測 zī'ān jiǎncè – cybersecurity inspection檢測指標 jiǎncè zhǐbiāo – inspection criteria; testing indicators合格 hégé – qualified; up to standard過度收集使用者個人資料 guòdù shōují shǐyòngzhě gèrén zīliào – excessive collection of users' personal data不明資料回傳 bùmíng zīliào huíchuán – unknown data transmission詐騙 zhàpiàn – fraud; scam財損金額 cáisǔn jīn'é – amount of financial loss設立 shèlì – to establish; to set up法律代表人 fǎlǜ dàibiǎo rén – legal representative執法單位 zhífǎ dānwèi – law enforcement agency追查 zhuīchá – to investigate; to trace檢察官 jiǎncháguān – prosecutor配合 pèihé – to cooperate; to comply母公司 mǔ gōngsī – parent company回應 huíyìng – to respond限制 xiànzhì – restriction; to restrict美妝 měizhuāng – beauty and cosmetics穿搭 chuāndā – outfit styling; fashion coordination繞過限制 ràoguò xiànzhì – to bypass restrictions開放 kāifàng – open限制言論自由 xiànzhì yánlùn zìyóu – restrict freedom of speech防詐的措施 fángzhà de cuòshī – anti-fraud measures解除禁令 jiěchú jìnlìng – lift the ban政治考量 zhèngzhì kǎoliáng – political considerationsFollow me on Instagram: fangfang.chineselearning !

On the eighth day of the 12th month on the Chinese calendar, which falls on Monday this year, the aroma of laba porridge will drift across Beijing and the rest of the country, signaling the arrival of the Chinese New Year season.农历十二月八日，今年恰逢周一，腊八粥的香气将飘荡在北京及全国各地，宣告春节时节的到来。The character "la" refers to the 12th month on the Chinese calendar, while "ba" means the number eight. For most people, savoring labaporridge— which is typically made of at least eight ingredients including glutinous rice and red beans — is more than a traditional ritual, because it marks the moment when the year-end countdown starts and serves as the prelude to new beginnings.“腊”字指农历十二月，”八”则代表数字八。对多数人而言，品尝腊八粥——这种通常由糯米、红豆等至少八种食材熬制的粥品——不仅是传统习俗，更标志着岁末倒计时的开始，为新年的启程奏响序曲。Despite the cold spell in the Chinese capital, warmth will fill the halls of its historical temples on Monday. Yonghegong, also known as Lama Temple, a magnificent testament to Beijing's rich culture and spiritual heritage, will launch its annual laba porridge distribution, as will Guanghua, Tanzhe and other temples, drawing large crowds of visitors.尽管北京正值寒潮，在周一，这座历史名城的寺庙殿堂里却将充满暖意。作为北京丰富文化与精神遗产的壮丽见证，雍和宫（又称喇嘛寺）将启动年度腊八粥发放活动，广化寺、潭柘寺等寺庙也将同步开展，吸引大批游客前来。Temple-based porridge distribution remains central to the laba tradition in Beijing, with Yonghegong being the most anticipated site. Bowl after bowl of steaming hot porridge there is not only expected to help buffer the winter chill, but also provides people with a shared sense of hope.寺庙供粥仍是北京腊八传统的核心环节，其中雍和宫是最受期待的地点。一碗碗热气腾腾的粥不仅能驱散冬日的寒意，更传递着人们共同的希望。Since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), laba porridge prepared at the temple has been one of the city's most significant seasonal events. From emperors to ordinary residents, everyone believed — and still believes — that partaking of a bowl of the temple's porridge brings good fortune and peace in the year ahead.自清朝（1644-1911）以来，寺庙里熬制的腊八粥便成为这座城市最重要的季节性盛事之一。从帝王到百姓，人人都相信，时至今日也依然如此——品尝一碗寺庙的腊八粥，便能为来年带来好运与平安。Historical records show that Emperor Yongzheng attached particular importance to the laba ceremony, elevating it to a rigorously regulated imperial ritual. Preparations began as early as the first day of the 12th month of the Chinese calendar and continued for eight days.史料记载，雍正帝格外重视腊八节庆典，将其提升为规制严谨的皇家仪式。筹备工作早在农历十二月初一便已启动，持续八日之久。According to Qing Dynasty archives, a single ceremony required more than 720 kilograms of primary ingredients, with the total weight of all ingredients reaching 1,000 kg. About 5,000 kg of firewood was used to prepare laba porridge, reflecting the scale and solemnity of the event.据清代档案记载，单次仪式需耗费720余公斤主料，所有食材总重达千斤。烹制腊八粥约需五千斤柴火，足见其规模之宏大、仪式之隆重。Visitors to Lama Temple today can still see the massive copper cauldron once used exclusively for making laba porridge. Crafted by the erstwhile imperial workshop, the vessel measures about two meters in diameter and 1.5 meters in depth, and weighs around 8 metric tons.今日造访雍和宫的游客，仍可见到那口专用于熬制腊八粥的巨型铜锅。这口由昔日皇家工坊打造的巨器，直径约两米，深约一米五，重达八吨。Originally placed near the temple's eastern gate, the cauldron stood over a deep earthen stove supported by iron pillars to ensure steady heat, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of past ceremonies.这口铜鼎原置于寺庙东门附近，架设在由铁柱支撑的深土灶上以保持恒温，让人得以窥见昔日仪式的恢弘盛况。Traditionally, laba porridge at Lama Temple was made in the same pot six times, with each preparation serving a distinct purpose. The first pot was offered to the statues of Buddha, including those in the Forbidden City and imperial gardens. The second was presented to the imperial family, enriched with cream and preserved fruit to reflect royal refinement.传统上，雍和宫的腊八粥需在同一口锅中煮制六次，每次熬煮皆有特定用途。首锅粥供奉于佛像，包括紫禁城及皇家园林中的佛像；第二锅则呈献给皇室，特意加入奶油与蜜饯，彰显皇室的精致品味。Subsequent pots were distributed among senior officials and monks, while the sixth one was shared with members of the public, embodying the ideal of celebrating together with the people.后续的锅次则分于高级官员和僧侣，而第六锅则与民众共享，体现了与百姓同庆的理想。The ingredients reflected imperial standards. For example, during Emperor Qianlong's reign, laba porridge was made of 13 ingredients, including millet, rice, beans, red dates, chestnuts, almonds and brown sugar.在腊八粥的食材中也体现着皇室标准。例如乾隆年间，腊八粥由小米、大米、豆类、红枣、栗子、杏仁和红糖等十三种食材熬制而成。Other ancient shrines in Beijing have their own laba rituals. The Guangji and Guanghua temples begin distributing the porridge before dawn, with residents lining up in the dark to be among the first to receive a bowl. Tanzhe Temple, which boasts a history of more than 1,700 years, offers what many longtime Beijing residents regard as "a symbol of peace and good health".北京其他古刹也有各自的腊八节仪式。广济寺和广化寺在黎明前就开始分发粥，居民们在黑暗中排队，争相成为最早领到一碗粥的人。拥有1700多年历史的槐树寺所供奉的粥，被许多老北京人视为“平安健康之象征”。Beyond temples, the laba tradition also finds expression in everyday urban life. Huguosi Snack, a well-known eatery in the Chinese capital, recently launched a laba porridge variety on its menu, featuring more than 20 ingredients.除了寺庙，腊八传统也在都市日常生活中得到体现。北京知名护国寺小吃街近日推出腊八粥新品，内含二十余种食材。Aoliao Jiaxin, a user on social media platform Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, said she tried the porridge at Huguosi on the first day and found it "packed with real ingredients and very satisfying".社交媒体平台小红书用户阿寮佳欣（音译）表示，她在开市首日品尝了护国寺的粥品，表示“食材真实饱满，非常满足”。Across China, regional variations lend laba porridge distinct local character. Northern versions tend to be thick and hearty, often paired with pickled laba garlic. The porridge in Jiangnan, or the southern region in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is lighter and delicately sweet, with some prepared in savory form. In the northwest, lamb is a key ingredient for extra warmth.在中国各地，地域差异赋予腊八粥独特的本土风味。北方版本通常浓稠饱满，常佐以腌制腊八蒜。江南地区（长江下游的南方区域）的粥品则清淡甘美，有些还会制作咸味版本。在西北地区，羊肉作为重要食材，为粥品增添额外的暖意。Yet everywhere, laba porridge emphasizes harmony, with the blend of grains symbolizing abundance and envisaging a prosperous year ahead.然而无论何处，腊八粥都强调和谐，杂粮的融合象征着丰饶，预示着来年繁荣昌盛。ritual/ˈrɪtʃuəl/n.仪式；例行公事prelude/ˈpreljuːd/n.序曲；开端cauldron/ˈkɔːldrən/n.大锅；鼎hearty/ˈhɑːti/adj.丰盛的；浓郁的

In this episode of The Negotiation Podcast, host Todd Embley sits down with Nichola Quail, Founder and CEO of Insights Exchange and a leading global market research strategist. Nichola works at the intersection of strategy, research, and execution, helping brands access the right insights to make smarter decisions in complex and fast-changing markets.Nichola shares her career journey and the motivation behind founding Insights Exchange, a platform designed to connect companies with best-in-class research specialists around the world. She explains how her work helps organizations cut through noise, avoid costly missteps, and gain a clearer understanding of consumers across diverse markets.The conversation explores why market research has never been more important, particularly as brands expand internationally and respond to rapidly shifting consumer behaviors. Nichola also discusses common mistakes companies make when interpreting data, and highlights insights from recent global research reports that reveal how consumer attitudes and priorities differ across regions.Discussion PointsNichola's professional background and the founding story behind Insights ExchangeHow Insights Exchange supports brands with tailored global research and insightsWhy market research is critical for navigating uncertainty and entering new marketsCommon pitfalls brands face when misinterpreting or misusing research dataKey findings from recent reports across multiple international marketsHow strong insights can drive better strategy, product decisions, and market entry success

In this episode of The Negotiation Podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Jacob Cooke, CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, to unpack the significance of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Beijing—the first by a Canadian prime minister in eight years.Jacob provides a timely analysis of what this visit signals for Canada–China relations after nearly a decade of diplomatic and trade tensions. The discussion focuses on why the visit itself matters, particularly as Canada navigates U.S. tariffs, economic pressure at home, and shifting global trade dynamics.The conversation explores what Canadian businesses are hoping to see from the trip, including reduced friction, improved market access, and momentum on longstanding trade issues affecting sectors such as agriculture, seafood, and pet food. Turning to consumer brands, Jacob examines how Canadian companies like Lululemon and Arc'teryx continue to compete in China amid the rise of guochao and strong domestic players such as Bosideng. He explains why success in China is less about nationality and more about performance, quality, and lifestyle positioning.Finally, the episode looks ahead at whether a diplomatic reset is necessary for renewed Canadian investment in China—and how improving political ties can help restore confidence in boardrooms, even without immediate policy breakthroughs.Discussion PointsWhy Mark Carney's Beijing visit is symbolically and strategically significantWhat Canadian corporates are realistically expecting from the tripPotential outcomes that would signal a positive shift in Canada–China relationsTrade barriers affecting Canadian agriculture, food, and pet-related exportsHow Canadian consumer brands compete amid guochao and rising local championsWhether diplomatic tensions have held back Canadian business in ChinaWhy geopolitics rarely drive Chinese consumer purchasing decisionsHow a diplomatic reset could reduce risk and unlock new commercial momentum

Yu Qing and her friend chat about a portable juicer that Yu Qing discovered on Xiaohongshu. Their friendly chat turns into a light reflection on how good quality and smart marketing must go hand in hand. Even “good wine” needs a bit of buzz！—————————————————————————————————朋友：哇，你在喝什么？看起来就很健康。是果蔬汁吗？雨晴：是的，好眼光！我最近在小红书被种草了一款便捷式榨汁机。它超级好用。我现在几乎每天都用它来榨各种果蔬。朋友：哇！那太棒啦！操作起来麻烦吗？雨晴：非常简单。有手就会。而且，价格也很实惠。比起去外面买现成的，自己榨的又放心又便宜。朋友：我都被你种草啦。雨晴：快下手，要不要我把链接发给你？朋友：嗯嗯，可以发给我看看。哈哈。这个品牌应该请你做代言人。雨晴：哈哈，好的产品自带广告效应。口碑好才是品牌的成功之道。朋友：对啊。还是那句话：“酒香不怕巷子深”，好的东西藏得再深也会被发现。雨晴：嗯，不过我也是在他们的直播间看到他们打广告才买的。现在这个时代也许需要两者结合才能走得长远。既要产品好，也要有一定的营销方法。朋友：哎，不愧是在市场部工作的。看这些问题还是深一些。雨晴：没有，这有什么深的？！哈哈哈，话说，链接发给你啦，你自己看着买吧。别被我影响太多啦。我会天天用，因为我喜欢果蔬汁，但是我感觉你好像对果蔬汁不是那么感冒。朋友：我看看。—————————————————————————————————If you're enjoying this story, there's so much more waiting for you inside maayot:✅ Daily bite-sized stories that suit your level✅ native audio✅ Interactions with native for practice your speaking✅ One tap Pinyin, explain in context for words and sentences✅ Writing and speaking exercises with real person feedback✅ Track your learning streakNot using these features yet? Open our app or visit maayot.com and explore everything your Mandarin journey needs. Use promotion code “Podcast” , get a 50% off today !If this episode made you smile, laugh, or learn something new. Please Take just 30 seconds to leave us a rating and short review. It helps other Mandarin learners discover us !

 In this episode of The Negotiation Podcast, host Todd Embley is joined by Richard Kimber, an Australian and Hong Kong–admitted lawyer who has helped more than 400 companies enter and operate in the Chinese market.Richard brings decades of experience advising international businesses across sectors, including agribusiness, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, sports, and education. His work spans China market entry, international trade, strategic alliances and joint ventures, IP licensing, and compliance—making him a trusted advisor for brands navigating the complexities of doing business in China.The conversation focuses on the realities of manufacturing and sourcing in China today: what has changed, what remains misunderstood, and how brands can protect themselves while still capturing the advantages of China's manufacturing ecosystem.Discussion PointsRichard's personal journey into China and how his legal career evolved alongside China's opening and globalizationThe types of companies and industries he most commonly supports todayThe most common challenges foreign brands face when manufacturing or sourcing in China—and how

La question peut sembler légère, mais elle est en réalité très sérieuse économiquement : la beauté « made in China » est-elle en train de détrôner la célèbre K-beauty coréenne ? Depuis une quinzaine d'années, la Corée du Sud s'est imposée comme une puissance mondiale des cosmétiques, portée par l'innovation, le soft power culturel et des marques devenues incontournables. Mais depuis peu, un nouvel acteur accélère très vite : la Chine.La K-beauty a longtemps dominé le segment des cosmétiques innovants et accessibles. En 2023, l'industrie cosmétique sud-coréenne représentait environ 14 milliards de dollars d'exportations, contre moins de 2 milliards au début des années 2010. Des marques comme Innisfree, Laneige ou COSRX ont popularisé les routines en dix étapes, les masques en tissu et les soins ultra-techniques, tout en profitant de la vague K-pop et des dramas coréens. La Corée du Sud exporte aujourd'hui ses produits vers plus de 150 pays.Mais la Chine rattrape son retard à une vitesse impressionnante. Le marché chinois de la beauté est devenu le deuxième plus grand au monde, derrière les États-Unis, avec un chiffre d'affaires estimé à plus de 80 milliards de dollars en 2024. Surtout, les marques locales chinoises connaissent une croissance à deux chiffres, là où les marques étrangères stagnent. Selon plusieurs cabinets d'études, les marques chinoises représentaient moins de 30 % du marché en 2015 ; elles dépassent désormais 50 % des ventes de cosmétiques en Chine.La force de la beauté chinoise repose sur trois leviers économiques. D'abord, le prix : des produits souvent 20 à 40 % moins chers que leurs équivalents coréens ou occidentaux. Ensuite, la vitesse d'innovation : certaines marques chinoises lancent de nouveaux produits en quelques semaines, en s'appuyant sur les données issues du e-commerce et des réseaux sociaux. Enfin, la maîtrise du marketing digital : sur Douyin, Xiaohongshu ou Tmall, les marques chinoises exploitent à grande échelle le live-shopping et les influenceurs locaux.Autre élément clé : la Chine n'est plus seulement un marché intérieur. Les exportations de cosmétiques chinois ont progressé de plus de 20 % par an depuis 2020, notamment vers l'Asie du Sud-Est, le Moyen-Orient et l'Afrique. Là où la K-beauty s'est mondialisée par la culture, la C-beauty s'impose par la puissance industrielle et logistique.Faut-il pour autant enterrer la K-beauty ? Pas encore. La Corée conserve une image premium en matière de formulation et de dermatologie. Mais une chose est sûre : la beauté made in China n'est plus un outsider. Elle est devenue un concurrent crédible, capable de redessiner l'équilibre économique mondial du secteur cosmétique. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

We talk the government's strong reaction to South Korea's newly launched e-Arrival card system; Tsai Ing-wen talking the need for a solar power policy 2.0, government agencies justifying a decision to block Chinese social media app, Xiaohongshu for a year and more. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday condemned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for banning the mainland social media app RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, calling the move "an act against democracy" and driven by self-interest.中国大陆发言人周三谴责台湾民进党当局封禁大陆社交媒体应用“小红书”（RedNote），并称此举是“反民主行为”，受私利驱使。Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference that the DPP authorities' decision deprives people in Taiwan, especially young people, of their right to information and their freedom to use social media platforms.国务院台办发言人陈斌华在新闻发布会上表示，民进党当局的决定剥夺了台湾民众，尤其是年轻人的信息权和使用社交媒体平台的自由。The ban, announced on Dec 4, was imposed by Taiwan's "interior affairs department" for a year, citing alleged failures in "multiple cybersecurity indicators" and claims of "frequent fraud".该禁令于12月4日宣布，由台湾“内政部门”以所谓“多个网络安全指标不达标”和“频繁涉诈”为由，实施为期一年的封禁。Chen argued that RedNote allows people in Taiwan, especially young users, to learn about the mainland's real situation and interact positively with mainland netizens. This, he added, breaks through the "information cocoons" and long-standing slander about the mainland that the DPP authorities have deliberately cultivated.陈斌华指出，小红书让台湾民众，特别是年轻用户能够了解大陆真实情况，并与大陆网友积极互动，有助于打破民进党当局刻意营造的“信息茧房”和长期对大陆的抹黑叙事。"The DPP authorities claim they are 'combating fraud', but in reality they are acting 'against democracy'," he said, adding that the ban exposes their "inner fear and unease".他表示：“民进党当局声称在‘打击诈骗'，但实际上是在‘反民主'。”此举暴露了他们“内心的恐惧与不安”。Chen denounced the ban as a reckless action that tramples on democracy and restricts freedom. "It has also severely affected the livelihoods of those in Taiwan who rely on RedNote for income," he added.陈斌华谴责该禁令是践踏民主、限制自由的鲁莽行为，并补充说：“这也严重影响了依赖小红书谋生的台湾民众的生计。”According to reports, RedNote has more than 3 million users in Taiwan, 70 percent of whom were born after 1990. Following the announcement of the ban, downloads of the app surged, pushing RedNote to the top of Taiwan's social app download rankings on Sunday. The app is still available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, but it can only be used through a VPN.据报道，小红书在台湾拥有超过300万用户，其中70%为“90后”。禁令宣布后，应用下载量激增，使其在周日登上台湾社交类应用下载榜首。尽管小红书仍可在Google Play和苹果App Store下载，但只能通过VPN使用。Chen pointed to media reports showing that Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud cases last year and has already exceeded 30,000 cases this year, far more than the number attributed to RedNote by the DPP authorities.陈斌华引用媒体报道指出，Facebook去年涉诈近6万起，今年已超3万起，远高于民进党当局归因于小红书的数字。He further criticized the DPP authorities for opposing anything that Taiwan residents use and blocking anything popular among young people, from mainland-based shopping platforms and video sites to social media, saying the DPP has effectively become the "party of restricting people".他进一步批评民进党当局对台湾民众所用之物皆反对，对年轻人喜爱的热门应用皆加以封堵——从大陆购物平台、视频网站到社交媒体，称其事实上已成“限制人民的政党”。The ban has drawn widespread criticism across the island. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said the DPP's ban on RedNote is merely the first step toward building a "great firewall" under the guise of fighting fraud.该禁令在岛内引发广泛批评。中国国民党主席郑丽文表示，民进党以打诈为名封禁小红书，只是构建“防火长城”的第一步。She noted that the DPP authorities cannot tolerate the fact that on RedNote, users of different backgrounds can freely and amicably discuss topics ranging from beauty and fashion to everyday life.她指出，民进党当局无法容忍不同背景的用户在小红书上自由、友善地交流，从美妆、时尚到日常生活的各类话题。"The DPP authorities will inevitably face the consequences of their reckless actions," Chen said, adding that such regressive measures cannot stop the growing trend of people in Taiwan, especially young people, seeking to learn about and connect with their compatriots on the mainland.陈斌华表示：“民进党当局必将为其鲁莽行为承担后果。”他强调，这类倒退举措无法阻挡台湾民众，尤其是年轻人了解大陆、与大陆同胞交流的趋势。Condemn/kənˈdem/谴责self-interest/'self'intərist/私利information cocoon信息茧房regressive measures倒退举措

The Democratic Progressive Party authorities have banned the mainland social media app RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, out of self-interest, depriving the people of Taiwan of their right to information and to freely use social media platforms, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.中国大陆发言人周三表示，民进党当局出于私利，禁止大陆社交媒体使用小红书，剥夺了台湾民众获取信息和自由使用社交媒体平台的权利。Responding to the DPP authorities' recent decision to ban RedNote, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference that although the DPP claims the move is aimed at "combating fraud", it is in fact "an act against democracy".针对民进党当局近期决定禁止小红书，国务院台湾事务办公室发言人陈斌华在记者会上表示，尽管民进党声称此举旨在“打击欺诈”，但实际上却是“反民主行为”。Chen said that through RedNote, people in Taiwan, especially young users, learn about the mainland's real situation and engage positively with mainland netizens. This, he noted, breaks through the "information cocoons" and long-standing slander against the mainland that the DPP authorities have deliberately fostered.陈斌华表示，通过小红书平台，台湾民众特别是年轻用户能够了解大陆真实情况，并与大陆网民积极互动。他指出，这有效打破了民进党当局刻意营造的“信息茧房”以及长期以来对大陆的污蔑。On Dec 4, the DPP authorities imposed a one-year ban on RedNote, which has more than 3 million users in Taiwan, 70 percent of whom were born in the 1990s. The authorities cited reasons such as "failing multiple cybersecurity indicators" and "frequent fraud".12月4日，台湾当局对拥有逾300万用户的社交平台小红书实施为期一年的禁令，其中70%用户为90后。当局以“多项网络安全指标不合格”以及“频繁发生诈骗行为”等理由作出禁令。Chen condemned the ban as a reckless act that tramples on democracy, restricts freedom, and deprives the people of Taiwan, especially young people, of their right to information and to access social media platforms freely. "It has also seriously affected the livelihoods of those in Taiwan who depend on RedNote for income," he added.陈斌华谴责这项禁令是践踏民主、限制自由的鲁莽行径，剥夺了台湾民众——尤其是年轻一代——获取信息和自由使用社交媒体平台的权利。他补充道：“此举还严重影响了台湾地区依赖小红书平台谋生的从业者的生计。”Citing media reports, Chen pointed out that Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud cases last year and has already surpassed 30,000 cases this year, far exceeding the number of incidents attributed to RedNote by the DPP authorities.陈斌华援引媒体报道指出，脸书去年涉及近六万宗诈骗案件，今年迄今已突破三万宗，远超民进党当局归咎于小红书的案件数量。Chen criticized the DPP authorities for opposing anything used by the people of Taiwan and blocking anything popular among young people—from shopping platforms and video sites to social media platforms from the mainland—saying the DPP has effectively become the "party of restricting people".陈斌华批评民进党当局反对台湾民众使用的任何事物，阻挠年轻人喜爱的任何平台——从购物平台、视频网站到大陆社交媒体平台——称民进党已实质上成为“限制人民的政党”。"The DPP authorities will inevitably face the consequences of their reckless actions," Chen said, adding that such regressive measures cannot halt the growing trend of people in Taiwan, especially young people, seeking to learn about and connect with their compatriots on the mainland.陈斌华表示，民进党当局终将为其鲁莽行径付出代价，并强调此类倒退措施无法阻挡台湾民众——尤其是年轻人——日益增长的了解大陆同胞、与之建立联系的趋势。

In Part 2 of our conversation with Professor Lizhi Liu, we shift from the origins of China's e-commerce boom to the competitive dynamics shaping its present—and its future.Lizhi breaks down how major platforms like Taobao/Tmall, JD, and Pinduoduo have shaped institutional innovation through intense competition, and what their strategies reveal about China's digital governance model. We discuss the globalization of Chinese platforms, the role of mega-shopping festivals like Singles' Day, and the evolution of social commerce as short-video platforms transform product discovery and purchasing behavior.We also explore how China's digital ecosystem may evolve over the next decade—and the one key lesson Lizhi hopes global audiences take away from her book.Listeners interested in cross-border commerce, platform governance, or the future of China's digital market will find this second installment packed with insights.Discussion Points (Part 2):How platform competition among Alibaba, JD, and Pinduoduo shaped China's e-commerce institutionsChina's growing presence in global e-commerce and the rise of cross-border sellersSingles' Day as a political-economic phenomenon, and whether these mega-festivals still matterThe evolution and significance of social commerce in ChinaPredictions for the next stage of China's e-commerce developmentThe key takeaway Lizhi hopes readers remember from From Click to Boom

① Hong Kong has completed its election of the eighth-term Legislative Council. As the city is in a difficult period after a deadly apartment fire, what's the significance of the election? (00:54) ② The Trump administration says it aims to prevent conflict with China over the Taiwan question in a new National Security Strategy document. Is this a sign that the current US administration is more realistic in its China policy? (14:43) ③ Why are Japan's repeated moves to interfere with China's naval exercises in the East China Sea dangerous? (24:49) ④ What has made the OECD raise its 2025 forecast for China's economic growth? (35:47) ⑤ Why have downloads of Xiaohongshu surged in Taiwan after the island's DPP authorities announced restriction of the social networking app? (46:17)

In this first installment of our two-part conversation with Professor Lizhi Liu, Todd sits down with one of the leading scholars shaping global understanding of China's digital economy. Lizhi's award-winning book, From Click to Boom, explores how political institutions and digital platforms co-evolved to fuel the world's most sophisticated e-commerce ecosystem.In this episode, Lizhi walks us through her academic journey, what sparked her interest in the political economy of tech, and the research that shaped her landmark book. She explains the scale and speed of China's e-commerce boom, the institutional innovations that enabled it—from digital payments to logistics networks—and the profound social transformations that followed. We also take a deep dive into the rise of “Taobao Villages,” exploring how rural communities leveraged online commerce to reshape livelihoods and migration patterns.Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how China built the most advanced e-commerce market in the world—and why similar growth hasn't taken place in Western economies.Discussion Points (Part 1):Lizhi's academic background and path into studying the political economy of Chinese techWhat led to the research behind From Click to BoomThe global scale of China's e-commerce market and how it compares to the WestFoundational institutions that unlocked China's e-commerce growth: payments, logistics, governance mechanismsBroader social and economic impacts of digital commerce, including rural revitalizationThe rise and significance of Taobao Villages

AI lab Anthropic, digital bank Revolut, Chinese social network Xiaohongshu and supply chain specialist Zetwerk count among Baillie Gifford's most recent private growth company investments. These bold pioneers are part of an expanding asset class, representing some of the world's fastest growing and most disruptive businesses. Investment manager Robert Natzler tells host Leo Kelion how and why we backed them on behalf of our clients. Background: Robert Natzler is an investment manager on our Private Companies Team and deputy manager of The Schiehallion Fund.  In this conversation, recorded as part of our annual Disruption Week briefings, he brings you up to date on his team's recent activity, bringing our tally of private company investments to more than 160, with a total value of over $10bn. Companies discussed include: Mottu – the motorcycle rental and service provider, serving gig workers and others in Latin America. Revolut – the digital bank that has surpassed HSBC and other traditional lenders in terms of its customer count. Anthropic – the frontier AI lab behind the chatbot and coding champion Claude. Xiaohongshu – the Chinese social network, also known as RedNote, with a strong and growing following, especially among young women. Zetwerk – the outsourcing specialist giving western brands and manufacturers the ability to broaden their supply chains beyond China. Resources:About Robert Natzler Disruption Week From code to culture: private companies shaping the world Private Companies Team Private growth: looking over the overlooked Short Briefings on Long Term Thinking hub Why we are backing Anthropic  Companies mentioned include: Anthropic ByteDance Mottu Revolut Xiaohongshu (RedNote) Zetwerk  Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction – Mottu CEO Rubens Zanelatto's masterstroke 02:20 Investing in ‘real' companies with ambitious leaders 05:20 Helping growth-stage companies prepare to go public 08:35 Exceptional companies in California and beyond 09:55 Mottu: providing motorcycles and maintenance to an underserved segment 13:10 Revolut: pursuing a different playbook to traditional banks 16:35 Gaining conviction in AI lab Anthropic 23:40 Dario Amodei's appeal to other AI talent 24:30 Xiaohongshu (RedNote)'s popularity among women in China's wealthiest cities 26:25 Zetwerk: expanding access to factories around the world 28:37 How Baillie Gifford clients can access private companies 29:35 Taking a global perspective on private companies 

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley sits down with Elysia Guo, a rising voice in China's influencer economy and an entrepreneur who has built a unique career at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and digital influence.Elysia shares her journey from a strategy consultant to becoming a full-time content creator and brand collaborator, offering an inside look into China's fast-moving social marketing landscape. She discusses how she built her online presence, what brands look for when working with influencers, and what differentiates China's major social platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat.The conversation also explores the latest lifestyle and consumer trends shaping spending behavior among Chinese Gen Z and millennials, as well as actionable advice for international brands aiming to make an impact in China's complex and competitive digital space.Discussion Points:·       Elysia's career journey from consulting to entrepreneurship and influencer marketing·       The current job market for young professionals in China·       How influencers like Elysia collaborate with brands and what they look for in partnerships·       The most effective marketing strategies for brands in China's digital ecosystem·       Differences between major platforms: Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat·       Why Xiaohongshu stands out as a hub for product discovery and brand storytelling·       Emerging lifestyle and consumption trends among Chinese consumers·       Advice for international brands entering or expanding in China

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back Olivia Plotnick, Founder of Wai Social and one of the most insightful voices on Chinese consumer culture and digital marketing.Olivia recently embarked on a remarkable journey across 32 cities in China over 60 days, immersing herself in the country's diverse regional cultures and uncovering how people live, shop, and connect with brands today. From Tier 1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing to emerging urban centers, Olivia shares her firsthand observations of the evolving Chinese consumer landscape — revealing both common threads and striking regional contrasts.The conversation explores the resurgence of offline retail, the growing influence of local brands, and what international businesses can learn from how China's next generation of consumers engage with products, experiences, and storytelling. Olivia also reflects on her favorite moments from the road and offers advice for brands and travelers alike seeking an elevated understanding of today's modern China. Enjoy!Discussion Points:·       What inspired Olivia's 60-day, 32-city journey across China·       High-level takeaways about Chinese consumer trends and culture·       Differences in consumer behavior between major cities and emerging markets·       How offline retail and experience-driven shopping are evolving·       Insights into how Chinese and international brands connect differently with consumers·       What the trip revealed about the next generation of Chinese shoppers·       Stories and standout moments from her travels·       Olivia's personal recommendations for cities to visit in China

【聊了什么The What】 在“女权疲劳”与“woke倦怠”之后，美国流行文化正在经历一场“女性气质”的回潮（Vibe Shift）：保守女性气质重新流行起来。本期节目我们深入聊了姐妹会文化、MAGA美妆、还有TikTok上那些看似“非政治”的倡导健康生活的视频，是如何一步步把女性重新绑回“温柔、克制、顺从”的模子里，在无形中复活了反女性主义的观念。从阿拉巴马大学的 Bama Rush 现象到 Sydney Sweeney 的“cool girl”形象，这场Vibe Shift不仅是审美的变化，更是一种政治与文化的再编码，当流行文化把政治意识形态与个人价值混为一谈，什么样的女性故事被放大，又有哪些被抹去？ As part two of our Vibe Shift Trilogy, this episode dives into the return of conservative femininity in American pop culture today. We dive into pop culture moments such as Bama Rush, MAGA beauty trends on TikTok, the rise of wellness influencers and how their “apolitical” content is quietly reviving anti-feminist ideals of the olden days. The vibe shift isn't just about aesthetics, but a recoding of culture and politics. In this shift, we question what kinds of stories of womanhood get amplified — and which are erased? 【时间轴 The When】 1:30: Sydney Sweeney 牛仔裤广告的争议，保守派审美的回归 8:00 “男人圈” vs “女人圈” 文化是如何通过健身、美容等“非政治”话题，随后逐渐渗入反女性主义和厌女的意识形态。 11:20 女人圈的健康类头部播客如何散播保守女性主义，“健康 = 美丽 = 道德” 14:20 自由派女性叙事倦怠，保守叙事趁虚而入 23:48 从Bama Rush大学姐妹会文化来看美国南方保守主义的女性理想 38:44 保守叙事下新一代女性的人生理想是如何变成寻找值得依靠的伴侣 1:30 Sydney Sweeney and her jeans/genes and the return of the conservative femininity 8:00 – “manosphere” vs “womanosphere” cultures use seemingly non-political topics like fitness and beauty to gradually introduce anti-feminist and misogynistic ideologies 11:20 – top women's health podcasts in the “womanosphere” spread conservative femininity, promoting the idea that “Health = Beauty = Morality” 14:20 – Fatigue with liberal female narratives opens the door for conservative messaging 23:48 – Examining ideals of Southern conservative femininity through Bama Rush and Greek life 38:44 – The reinvention of the feminist ideal: securing a reliable partner and what that means for society 【拓展链接 The Links】 社会学家Anne Helen Petersen关于Bama Rush的文章，链接 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back Crystal Tai. Crystal is a journalist, cultural strategy researcher, and Managing Partner at Nüora Global Advisors. Formerly Senior Managing Editor at Jing Daily, her work explores how changing values + consumer behaviors, and social movements shape business trends and global markets. In this episode, Crystal shares her insights on the latest developments in China's sportswear and athleisure markets, including the ongoing popularity of Lululemon, the rise of niche sports labels, and emerging winterwear trends as the season approaches. She also provides an update on Chinese travel patterns in the post-COVID era, assesses overall consumer sentiment, and offers her take on Starbucks' challenges in the Chinese market.As always, Crystal brings her sharp reporting and deep understanding of Chinese consumer culture to the conversation—plus, a light-hearted discussion on Taylor Swift's engagement and its reception among Chinese fans. Enjoy! What You'll Learn in This Episode:·       How Lululemon continues to perform in China and key takeaways from its recent Q2 report.·       The rise of niche sports brands and new trends in the sports and athleisure market.·       Winterwear and winter sports trends to watch as the season kicks off.·       Post-COVID travel patterns and evolving consumer behaviors in China.·       Current Chinese consumer sentiment and what it means for global brands.·       Starbucks' challenges in China and whether the brand can bounce back.·       A fun look at celebrity news—Taylor Swift's engagement—and its impact in China.

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley sits down with David Perez-Des Rosiers, Director of the Beijing Chapter of the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC).The CCBC has been a cornerstone of Canada–China business relations for over four decades, supporting Canadian enterprises as they navigate opportunities and challenges in China. David shares his perspective on the chamber's work, its advocacy efforts, and the evolving landscape of bilateral trade and investment.The conversation also touches on the current state of Canada–China relations, recent provincial-level engagement such as Saskatchewan's trade mission to China, and the sectors where Canadian businesses are finding the strongest opportunities. David also previews CCBC's upcoming AGM, an important gathering for business leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas and chart the path forward.Whether you're a Canadian business eyeing China, a policymaker, or simply someone interested in international trade, this episode provides practical insights into one of Canada's most important commercial relationships.Discussion PointsDavid's role as Director of the CCBC Beijing ChapterThe role and mandate of the CCBC in Canada–China tradeServices and support offered to Canadian companies in ChinaRecent CCBC advocacy efforts and policy recommendations to OttawaThe state of Canada–China relations and signals from recent developmentsReflections on the Saskatchewan delegation's visit to ChinaTop opportunities for Canadian businesses in China todaySectors where Canada has strong positioning (agriculture, energy, consumer goods, services)Preview of the CCBC's upcoming AGM and its significanceAdvice for Canadian businesses navigating China's market today

【聊了什么The What】 这期节目我们聊了Ari Aster的最新电影《爱丁顿》(Eddington)——一部让人看完想骂街，但又忍不住要深度分析的作品。这位以《仲夏夜惊魂》和《遗传厄运》闻名的导演，这次把镜头对准了2020年5月疫情初期的美国小镇，用西部片的外壳包装了一个关于社交媒体如何撕裂社群的恐怖故事。Joaquin Phoenix饰演的老派警长Joe Cross和Pedro Pascal饰演的自由派市长在这个巴掌大的新墨西哥小镇展开政治对决，而真正的赢家却是那个从头到尾都面目模糊的科技巨头——他们要在这里建数据中心。我们从这部极具争议性的电影聊开去，探讨了BLM运动的社交媒体化、取消文化的游戏规则、以及阴谋论如何在小镇邻里间传播。最终发现，当所有人都在网上吵成一团的时候，真正的危机——AI和大科技公司——已经悄悄占领了现实世界。 This episode we dove into Ari Aster's latest film "Eddington"—a movie that'll make you want to throw things at the screen, but also can't stop you from obsessively analyzing every frame. The director behind "Midsommar" and "Hereditary" sets his sights on a fictional small American town during the early pandemic chaos of May 2020, wrapping a horror story about social media tearing communities apart in Western film genre. Joaquin Phoenix's old-school sheriff Joe Cross goes head-to-head with Pedro Pascal's liberal mayor in this tiny New Mexico town, while the real winner turns out to be the faceless tech giant that's been planning to build a data center there all along. We used this deeply polarizing film to unpack everything from how BLM got weaponized on social media, to the toxic rules of cancel culture, to how conspiracy theories spread like wildfire through small-town neighbor networks. The ending is both alarming and defeatist: while everyone was busy fighting online, the real crisis—AI and Big Tech—had already quietly taken over. 【时间轴 The When】 00:00 - Vibe Shift：从Covid到现在的时代精神转向 02:32 - Ari Aster这一次拍了个什么片？ 06:45 - 小镇警长和自由派精英的对决导演拉偏架了吗？ 15:45 - BLM运动的社交媒体化和"good trouble"的商品化 22:22 - 社交媒体游戏规则如何让所有人"吃相难看" 34:24 - 创伤如何成为舆论场的货币 38:55 - 小蓝的"假新闻田野调查" 45:19 - 电影结局的虚无主义倾向 48:19 - "SolidGoldMagikarp"彩蛋 52:18 - AI数据中心对美国小镇的真实影响 58:02 - 艺术家有权创作"残忍"艺术吗？ 1:10:00 - 爱丁顿里的真实社会议题 00:00 - Vibe Shift: Zeitgeist transformation from pandemic to now 02:32 - Film plot overview: Political showdown in a New Mexico town 06:45 - Did Ari Aster put his thumb on the scale in the fight between the sheriff and the mayor 15:45 - The social media-ization of BLM and commodification of "good trouble" 22:22 - How social media rules make everyone look bad 34:24 - How trauma becomes currency in the discourse 38:55 - Xiao Lan's "fake news field research" 45:19 - The film's nihilistic ending 48:19 - "SolidGoldMagikarp" Easter egg 52:18 - Real impact of AI data centers on American small towns 58:02 - Do artists have the right to create "cruel" art? 1:10:00 - Real social issues plaiguing today's America in "Eddington" 【拓展链接 The Links】 Film Colossus关于"Solid Gold Magikarp"异常标记的分析文章 纽约时报关于数据中心对社区用水影响的报道 Naomi Klein《Doppelganger》 Matthew Yglesias"The Great Awokening" 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买杯咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

【聊了什么The What】 这个夏天，我们无数次的跟人解释：Netflix的Kpop猎魔女团虽然设定听起来很扯，但真的是好看的。顶流女团的真实身份是猎魔人，而她们的竞争对手（非常工具人的）男团则是一群真正的恶魔，用歌声和粉丝量争夺人类灵魂。我们从这部作品聊开去，探讨它如何超越了新时代的迪士尼公主叙事，创造了一个有工作的、更具代入感的当代女性童年幻想的寄托：和最好的朋友住在一起，拥有穿不完的漂亮衣服，人生最大的困难是和朋友的互相不理解。在一定程度上，对小朋友可能有点太幼稚，但对疲惫的我们正中要害。同时我们也回顾了过去十年 K-Pop 的全球化，从 BTS 在疫情期间的爆红到 Blackpink 登上 Coachella 主舞台；好像体感上今年夏天真的不一样，他们说的“韩流闯美”或许真的来了？ This summer, we found ourselves repeatedly explaining to people: like, yes, Netflix's K-pop Demon Hunters sounds ridiculous on paper, you might even feel ridiculous watching the first 20 minutes — but it's actually really good. The setup? A top girl group is secretly made up of demon hunters, while their rivals—the boy band—are literal demons battling for human souls through their music and fandom numbers. We used this show as a jumping-off point to explore how it goes beyond the new-generation Disney princess narrative to create a more relatable modern female fantasy—one where you live with your best friends, have endless fabulous outfits, and your biggest challenge in life is misunderstandings between friends. It might feel childish to some, especially for kids, but for us—burned out adults—it hit the emotional sweet spot. We also looked back on a decade of K-pop global expansion, from BTS's meteoric rise during the pandemic to Blackpink headlining Coachella. This summer feels different. Maybe the “Korean Wave” going global is actually happening? 【时间轴 The When】 00:39 - 奇幻首尔里用歌声封印恶魔的猎魔女团HUNTRIX。 10:28 - 立体的女性友谊和工具人男团 18:35 - K-pop产业的理想化呈现 21:26 - 从《降世神通》到现在亚裔创作者主体性的增强 27:14 - 保护我们的童年幻想和天经地义的女性友谊 42:34 - Kpop在欧美市场主流化了吗？ 00:39 - HUNTRIX: A demon-hunting girl group sealing demons with songs in a fantastical Seoul 10:28 - Deep female friendships vs. the “utility tool” boy band 18:35 - The idealized portrayal of the K-pop industry 21:26 - From Avatar: The Last Airbender to the growing agency of Asian creators 27:14 - Protecting our childhood fantasies and the naturalness of female friendship 42:34 - Has K-pop gone mainstream in Western markets? 【拓展链接 The Links】 58 “BTS之父”套现4000亿：韩娱教父的资本骗局遭政治狙击 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are joined by Nicole Lin, Business Development Country Manager at Tmall Global. This conversation comes ahead of the China Cross-Border Summit in Los Angeles on October 16, 2025, co-hosted by WPIC and Tmall Global.Nicole shares how Tmall Global is helping brands of all sizes access China's enormous consumer market without requiring a local entity, explaining how bonded zones, logistics, and social commerce integrations make market entry seamless. She discusses the consumer-first philosophy at Alibaba, the latest trends driving growth on Tmall Global, and which categories—like beauty, wellness, supplements, premium food, and pet care—are seeing the biggest lift.The episode also covers how international brands can localize, stand out, and succeed in China's fast-paced digital landscape, plus a preview of what to expect at October's summit in LA.Discussion PointsWhat brands can expect at the China Cross-Border Summit in Los Angeles this OctoberWhat makes Tmall Global different from domestic e-commerce platformsHow Chinese consumers discover and engage with brands in cross-border channelsWhy now is the right time for U.S. brands to enter the China marketThe top-performing consumer categories on Tmall Global in 2025Key lifestyle trends shaping China's demand for international productsLessons from over 46,000 global brands already selling on Tmall GlobalHow Alibaba helps brands localize through data, branding, livestreaming, and KOLsPractical first steps for brands that want to break into China

In this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome Emmanuel Poupelle, WPIC Marketing + Technologies' Director of Growth for Europe, to explore how European lifestyle and health brands can succeed in China's fast-changing consumer landscape. Originally recorded as a webinar, there were so many incredible insights brought to the discussion that we felt it was well worth publishing as a podcast as well.Drawing on his extensive experience advising international brands, Emmanuel explains why China's evolving demographics, shifting consumption priorities, and increasing demand for premium lifestyle products have created a major growth opportunity. We discuss why Xiaohongshu (RED) is essential for discovery and influence, how Chinese consumers evaluate value and quality, and why European “heritage” brands still hold strong appeal.From health supplements and personal care to mental wellness and outdoor products, Emmanuel walks through the most promising categories—and why brands need to lead with storytelling, lifestyle positioning, and an integrated service model to win in China. Enjoy!Discussion PointsWhat's changing in China's consumer landscape—and why this matters for European brandsThe growing influence of Chinese outbound travellers and Xiaohongshu (RED)Why lifestyle positioning and heritage storytelling are key to market entry successWhich health and wellness categories are gaining the most tractionHow services, co-branding, and social commerce strategies can complement product launchesTiming your entry: why summer is ideal for lifestyle and travel-linked brandsWhere opportunities remain wide open: supplements, clean beauty, mental wellness

【聊了什么The What】 HBO 新片Mountainhead是《继承之战》编剧 Jesse Armstrong 的导演初作。这一次，他把镜头从东海岸的传媒财阀转向了西海岸的科技巨头。 四位科技界巨头和曾经的好友在犹他州的豪华山庄度周末，外面的世界却因一款 AI 生成工具制造的政治假新闻陷入混乱。他们坐在山顶的别墅中，讨论着权力、技术与人类未来，以及如何延长自己的生命，甚至抵御死亡，上传意识。节目中，我们谈到了科技精英的傲慢与脆弱、有效加速主义（e/acc）在硅谷的兴起、从 All In Podcast 到特朗普就职典礼的科技圈政治野心，以及为什么现实比电影还科幻，却让创作者越来越难以讲述。从HBO关于科技的剧集大火的Silicon Valley到这部同样关于讲述科技圈内部故事的Mountainhead只有短短几年过去了。而太多改变已经发生。 Mountainhead, HBO's new film, marks the directorial debut of Succession writer Jesse Armstrong. This time, he shifts the camera from East Coast media dynasties to West Coast tech titans. The story follows four former friends and tech moguls spending a weekend at a luxury mountain estate in Utah, while the outside world descends into chaos—triggered by political disinformation generated by an AI tool they helped create. From the comfort of their hilltop villa, they debate power, technology, the future of humanity, and how to prolong their own lives—even resisting death by uploading their consciousness. In this episode, we talk about the arrogance and fragility of tech elites, the rise of Effective Accelerationism (e/acc) in Silicon Valley, the political ambitions of the tech world—from the All-In Podcast to Trump's inauguration—and why reality has become more sci-fi than fiction, making it harder than ever for creators to tell these stories. Only a few years separate HBO's Silicon Valley and Mountainhead, but in that short span, the world—and tech—has changed in ways no one could have scripted. 【时间轴 The When】 03:39 我们最喜欢的编剧把我们的推特故事线拍成电影了 08:15 四位主角是如何“缝合”现实中的硅谷大佬们？ 15:56 硅谷意识形态的转变：从商业逻辑到宗教信仰 32:29 科技大佬的权力渴望与“大教堂”、“创始人主权”、“Luxury Belief” 42:30 渴望权力，却又想逃避责任的Tech Bro文化 54:29 警惕权力的新外衣与我们应有的警惕 03:39 Our favorite screenwriter turns our Twitter storylines into a movie 08:15 How the four protagonists are “stitched together” from real-life Silicon Valley moguls 15:56 The ideological shift in Silicon Valley: from business logic to religious belief 32:29 Tech elites' thirst for power: “The Cathedral,” “Founder Sovereignty,” and “Luxury Beliefs” 42:30 The Tech Bro dilemma—craving power while dodging responsibility 54:29 The new disguise of power and why we must remain vigilant 【拓展链接 The Links】 小华提到的漫画：“参议院的老板们”——1889 【疲惫红书 CyberRed】 除了播客以外，疲惫娇娃的几个女的在小红书上开了官方账号，我们会不定期发布【疲惫在读】、【疲惫在看】、【疲惫旅行】、【疲惫Vlog】等等更加轻盈、好玩、实验性质的内容。如果你想知道除了播客以外我们在关注什么，快来小红书评论区和我们互动。 Apart from the podcast, we have set up an official account on Xiaohongshu. We will periodically post content such as “CyberPink Reading,” “CyberPink Watching,” “CyberPink Traveling,” “CyberPink Vlog,” and more. Those are lighter, more fun and more experimental stuff about our lives. Leave us some comments on Xiaohongshu! 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022

I couldn't help myself. I mean, how American can you be? In fact, I do what I can when travelling to absorb culture and not compare to the American lifestyle.  But I had to ask "Is the Chinese food in China the same as it is in the states?" The answer....listen to the podcast! I was completely taken by Emilie...She brings warmth to her perspective but at the same time, taking a firm position that is rooted in vast experience and educated conjecture. Emilie Steckenborn makes a living where most of us can only dream—at the intersection of wine, culture, and cutting-edge business in China's ever-evolving market. But don't let her youthful charm and “very strong Chinese accent” (as Paul jokes) fool you. Emilie is a polyglot insider who's spent over a decade breaking barriers in Shanghai, consulting for both airlines and luxury giants like LVMH, and unraveling the intricacies of food, wine, and social connection in the world's most populous country. You will come away from this episode with a front-row seat to Emilie's striking journey from Toronto to Asia's fine wine circles, and you'll learn how Western and Chinese culinary myths feed both perceptions and markets. She'll shed light on why most "Chinese food" in North America bears little resemblance to dishes in Beijing or Guangzhou, how social media platforms like Xiaohongshu change what's in your glass and on your plate, and why the Chinese DTC (direct-to-consumer) model leaves American wine buyers in the dust. You'll also get a candid look at the role of women in China's wine scene, why brand is king (or queen) from Yellowtail to Lafite, how fake wine scams erupt and vanish, and what it really takes to build—and protect—a luxury wine label in one of the world's most challenging markets. Emilie's passion for connection glues it all together, whether she's navigating bottles at 50-table banquets or forging authentic stories through her own "Bottled in China" podcast. Expect to leave with a new appreciation for the complexities of selling, sharing, and savoring wine across cultures—and the secrets behind the conversations that only a great glass can unlock.   ✅ Ever wondered how wine, culture, and business blend together in China's booming scene? ✅ Host Paul Kalemkiarian sits down with Emilie Steckenborn—wine industry leader, podcast host, and all-around trailblazer—for a globe-spanning conversation you won't forget. ✅ From myth-busting Chinese cuisine to insider stories on luxury wine brands, social media's impact, and the secret sauce behind wine's magic, Wine Talks uncorks big ideas and bigger stories. ✅ Discover why wine isn't just a drink, but a bridge for connection and innovation—and why the next “aha moment” in your own wine journey might be just one sip away. Listen now to Wine Talks with Paul K! #WineTalks #WinePodcast #EmilieSteckenborn #PaulKalemkiarian #WineBusiness #BottledInChina #WineCulture

Sometimes, after a long day speaking English, former WBUR podcast fellow Cici Yu just wants to zone out and spend time on the internet where everyone is speaking her native language, Chinese. Her app of choice? Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. So, when Cici logged on recently to find a feed filled with English-speaking Americans, she was surprised. Show notes: "The great social media migration: Sudden influx of US users to RedNote connects Chinese and Americans like never before" (CNN) "More speech and fewer mistakes" (Meta) "Instagram hides search results for 'Democrats'" (BBC) "Instagram and Facebook Blocked and Hid Abortion Pill Providers' Posts" (The New York Times) Credits: This episode was produced by Grace Tatter. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus. It was hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson.

TikTok's uncertain future has driven a flood of users to a fully Chinese social media app full of opportunities for genuine cultural exchange. And it's given fresh fodder for proponents of a decentralized social media ecosystem known as the fediverse. This episode was produced by Travis Larchuk, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Rob Byers, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A logo for Xiaohongshu, aka RedNote, and a TikTok logo displayed on smartphone screens in China. Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Vice President Joe Biden gave his farewell speech last night and we've fact-checked it, TikTok is being replaced as influencers flock to new Chinese app Xiaohongshu aka Little Red Book aka Red Note, incoming President Donald Trump has already changed the geopolitical landscape, we've compiled the big moves made around the world in anticipation of his second administration, and much more!GUEST: Josh FirestineNew California Psycho merch: https://crowdershop.com/products/california-psycho-t-shirt 20% of proceeds will be donated to California fire victims!DOWNLOAD THE RUMBLE APP TODAY: https://rumble.com/our-appsCheck out https://www.americanfinancing.net/crowder or call 800-974-6500 to learn how homeowners are saving $800 a month. NMLS 182334, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.orgConnect your Mug Club account to Rumble and enjoy Rumble Premium: https://support.locals.com/en/article/how-do-i-connect-my-locals-account-to-my-rumble-account-on-rumble-vhd2st/SOURCES: https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/lwc-sources-january-16-2025Join Rumble Premium to watch this show every day! http://louderwithcrowder.com/PremiumNEW MERCH! https://crowdershop.com/Subscribe to my podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/louder-with-crowder/FOLLOW ME: Website: https://louderwithcrowder.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/scrowder Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louderwithcrowder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevencrowderofficialMusic by @Pogo