This week on Sinica, Kaiser chats with Lulu Chen, who has reported on tech in China for over a decade and is the author of the book Influence Empire: The Inside Story of Tencent and China's Tech Ambition. It's a fascinating look at not only Tencent but at the overall internet sector in China, focusing on the travails and the triumphs of some of the most consequential Chinese internet entrepreneurs.5:31 – Motivation for and background of Influence Empire10:15 – Ma Huateng and Martin Lau at Tencent19:56 – How the Chinese internet sector went from copying to innovating30:59 – Cutthroat company cultures33:20 – What made Allen Zhang successful?37:25 – The Tencent-Meituan food delivery coup45:21 – Tencent’s position in the online game industry51:58 – Understanding China’s 2020-2022 tech crackdownA complete transcript of this podcast is available at TheChinaProject.com.Recommendations:Lulu: The Gay Talese Reader: Portraits and Encounters by Gay TaleseKaiser: Cunk on Earth on NetflixSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chinese emigrants are choosing new destinations due to China's economic slowdown and pandemic handling. The podcast explores the impact on destination countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and New Zealand. It also discusses the effects of common prosperity policies and the anxieties of the middle class regarding social advancement.

Lulu Chen, a Bloomberg reporter, dives into the pressures faced by professionals amid China's economic crackdowns. She discusses the anxiety gripping young workers as job losses and pay cuts reshape their dreams. The conversation highlights the emotional toll on families and the shifting values around career aspirations. Mental health challenges among these workers are on the rise, complicating an already volatile landscape. As parents grapple with hopes for their children's futures, the impacts of Xi Jinping's policies create a compelling narrative of resilience amidst uncertainty.

Lulu Chen, a Bloomberg journalist specializing in economic trends, discusses the profound impact of Xi Jinping’s policies on China’s workforce. She highlights how millions face job losses and pay cuts, leading to widespread anxiety among the country's skilled professionals. The pressure permeates mental health, fueling a rise in anxiety and depression. Chen also examines the challenges of reskilling amidst age discrimination and the public's frustration over increasing retirement ages—a cocktail of socio-economic turmoil stirring unrest among China’s younger generation.

A discussion on the challenges facing China's property sector, Apple's decision to cancel their electric vehicle project, Alibaba's investment in AI, and insights on APAC markets from Catherine Yeung of Fidelity International.