Face-Off: The U.S. vs China

China’s Fortunes

May 14, 2024

Keyu Jin and Elsie Chen discuss China's economic downturn, real estate meltdown, tech entrepreneurs disappearing, college graduates opting out. Elsie Chen's article on 'lying flat' trend. Analysis of Chinese economy, US-China relations, and Taiwan tensions.

38:06

Episode guests

Keyu Jin

Elsie Chen

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Chinese youth adopting 'lying flat' lifestyle to rebel against societal pressures and opt out of work culture.

Challenges in Chinese economy, including housing crisis and youth unemployment, raising concerns about economic direction and US-China relations.

Deep dives

The Rise of 'Lying Flat' in China

A new trend called 'lying flat' among Chinese youth has emerged, reflecting a desire to opt out of societal pressures and expectations. This movement involves some individuals completely quitting work and simplifying their lives, sparking a viral phenomenon. Despite the Chinese government's disapproval and censorship of the trend, it highlights a potential shift in attitudes towards work and lifestyle choices.

Impact of Anti-Corruption Measures on Public Sector and Growth

01:25

The Importance of Economic Stability in Political Context

00:52

Balancing short-term benefits with long-term consequences in trade disputes

01:15

Introduction

2min

The Rise of 'Lying Flat' in China

20min

China's Role in Emerging Technologies and Economic Growth

7min

Analysis of the Chinese Economy and Future Prospects

4min

Speculations on US-China Relations and Global Order

3min

Taiwan: A Central Point of Concern for Washington and Beijing

3min

How the Chinese economic downturn is affecting all kinds of people. How real estate meltdown, with enough unfinished empty apartments to fill the population of Germany, is at the center of it all. How tech entrepreneurs are mysteriously disappearing, and how college graduates don’t want to work.

Guests: Keyu Jin, London School of Economics, author of New China Playbook; Elsie Chen, a member of China’s “lying down” generation, now a Nieman Fellow at Harvard.

Elsie Chen’s New York Times article about lying flat. She interviews Luo Huazhong, the factory worker, who quit his job, went back to his rural village. His post about his lifestyle decision went viral, and inspired a movement dedicated to opting out.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/03/world/asia/china-slackers-tangping.html

A roundtable discussion with Keyu Jin at the Fairbank Center at Harvard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=357QIFs9FXc

Sound design, original score, mixing and mastering by Rowhome Productions.

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