ChinaTalk The View from Chengdu: Freelance Reporting Outside First-Tier Cities
Aug 21, 2019
In this discussion, Lauren Teixeira, a freelance reporter based in Chengdu, shares her insights on the vibrant cultural scene outside China's first-tier cities. She explores the challenges of discussing contentious issues like the anti-Extradition Bill protests amidst a restrictive information environment. Lauren also delves into China's emerging pop culture scene, influenced by K-pop, and highlights the struggle for creative expression among youth facing political constraints. Discover how contemporary artists are shaping a new narrative in a complex socio-political landscape.
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Living Outside Tier One Cities
- Consider living outside of first-tier cities in China for a more affordable and less depressing experience.
- Chengdu offers cosmopolitan vibes without first-tier baggage, great food, and cool people.
Discovering Chengdu Hip Hop
- Lauren Teixeira's introduction to Chengdu's hip-hop scene came through a friend who sent her a Higher Brothers video.
- Impressed by their originality, she wrote an article on them before their rise to fame.
Discussing Sensitive Topics with Mainlanders
- Engaging mainland Chinese on sensitive topics like Xinjiang or Hong Kong can be challenging due to limited access to information and differing perspectives.
- Directly providing outside information is necessary for meaningful discussion, as simply suggesting research is often not feasible.