China Biz Talk - Baiguan Radio

Hi everyone, welcome to another collaboration episode between Pekingnology and Baiguan. Quick notice: we heard some complaints about the audio quality of our episodes recently, and so we have made special efforts to improve the experience this time. We hope you enjoy it better! In this episode, you will hear about:[01:32] Zichen Wang’s observations during his study at Princeton[04:40] The ongoing controversy regarding CK Hutchison’s Panama ports sale [20:16] New top-level policy on boosting domestic demand[27:03] China Development Forum[29:16] Will Xi and Trump meet soon? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.baiguan.news/subscribe

Timeline[00:56] Two Sessions[03:31] Birth subsidies[06:33] 1-trillion-yuan state VC fund[11:33] China’s new tariff on US agriculture[17:32] Trump’s impact on stock market confidence[19:47] Significance of TSMC’s $100b investment in the US And a small announcement here. I have started a new newsletter called Paid Sub, where I will discuss China’s market intelligence, Data-as-a-Service, professional knowledge and paid content industry in China - basically the industry I work for and have dedicated my life to. It will be an interesting industry publication if you are also working in our industry.In the first article just published today, I discussed the main difference between China and the West in our industry: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.baiguan.news/subscribe

Timeline[01:14] The symposium with private entrepreneurs[15:49] Market rallies in Hong Kong and China ADRs[21:29] New White House memo on restricting Chinese investors into the US[27:22] China’s stance on Ukraine This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.baiguan.news/subscribe

In this engaging discussion, venture capitalist Johnny Zou shares insights on DeepSeek, a controversial AI venture gaining traction in China. He touches on whether it signals a strategic move against the U.S. and the extent of Beijing’s influence. Johnny delves into the technology competition landscape and examines investment strategies in this rapidly evolving sector. He also speaks on the implications of quantitative trading in China’s stock market, followed by challenges of censorship in AI development. A fascinating exploration of tech and geopolitics!

Explore the recent dialogue between Presidents Trump and Xi on TikTok and China's economic indicators. Delve into Xi's visit to Liaoning, revealing parallels to the U.S. Rust Belt and the region's growth potential. Discover the shift in China's investment policy aimed at enhancing the stock market and boosting investor sentiment. Unpack the controversies in China's healthcare system regarding drug reimbursement policies. Finally, assess the geopolitical tensions surrounding TikTok's ownership and its implications for U.S.-China relations.

Today we are honored to invite Mr. Max Peiro. Max is the Founder and CEO of Re-Hub, a Business Intelligence SaaS provider specializing in the Chinese luxury ecosystem. Re-Hub was recently acquired by DLG (Digital Luxury Group), an independent marketing and technology group with offices in Geneva, Shanghai, and New York.Max has 16 years of experience working in China, 13 of which are partnering with global brands to support their digital and innovation strategies.In this interview, you will hear Max, as an industry veteran, talking about the ins and outs of China's luxury sector, how it has evolved, and how it may adapt to the future.Top highlights with timestamp[11:31] A discussion about the “gray market”, a key unique feature of China’s luxury industry[14:48] On secondhand luxury market[18:12] Unique behaviors of Chinese people buying luxury products: buying during overseas travels and highly digital-savvy[29:24] Max’s advice for the challenges ahead in 2025[35:48] China’s fledgling domestic luxury sector This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.baiguan.news/subscribe

Zak Dychtwald, Founder and CEO of Young China Group, discusses his journey of bridging cultures while navigating life and business in China. He shares insights on the unique identity of China's post-90s generation and their impact on society. Dychtwald highlights his people-first approach in understanding macroeconomic trends and government decisions. With his new initiative, YCG Bridgeworks, he aims to enhance collaboration between US and Chinese teams, tackling cultural differences and fostering stronger global relationships.

Welcome to Baiguan Radio, where we regularly chat with our diverse subscribers like you with unique domain knowledge related to China to share your experience with other members. Today I am pleased to chat with Mr. Stanley Kee, a veteran market research leader for over 25 years. Stanley is a Singaporean and he was ex-Managing Director for APAC for Circana, one of the world’s largest market research companies after the merger of IRI and NPD. Before Circana, Stanley was ex Managing Director for Southeast Asia for GfK Asia, also a market research powerhouse. Stanley has strong industry exposure spanning Consumer Technology, Tires, Lubricants, Sportswear & Lifestyle, Beauty, Toys, Gaming, Licensing, and Foodservice products, and is well-versed in Retail, E-commerce, & Live-streaming businesses.In today’s conversation, I picked Stanley’s brains on what he thought should be the best approach for Chinese companies expanding overseas, why he is confident about China’s future, and where Asia’s market research industry is going.Timeline[02:42] On new trends of Chinese companies going global[11:41] The example of Luckin Coffee, what it has done for its going global strategy and how it can do better[24:50] Stanley’s source of confidence about China’s future, as a foreigner[31:05] The future of Asia’s market research industry This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.baiguan.news/subscribe

Johnny Zou, top venture capitalist, discusses China's economic mistakes post-08 crisis, over-financialization, and unique career perspectives. He delves into China's manufacturing dominance, generational challenges, and contrasts traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.baiguan.newsWelcome to China biz talk by Baiguan Radio. Two weeks ago I hosted an “Ask Me Anything” live webinar for paid subscribers of Baiguan, where many of you threw at me many interesting questions you have about China. Today, we are releasing the recording of the AMA webinar to paid subscribers like you. If you are a free subscriber, you can listen to a preview that lasts for about 10 minutes. While the full version is more than an hour. You can also check out what are the questions being asked in this recording, at the post below.Every few months, we will host this kind of live webinar for our paid subscribers. And every month, we will open AMA chats at the Substack app, also exclusive for paid subscribers. All of these features, including all of our paid articles, come at as low as $100/year. If you wish to have access to these offerings, make sure to subscribe to us. Without further ado, let’s play the webinar recording now.Key highlights and timestamps01:12 What are your comments on 民生为大?05:49 What does the average Chinese 25-35 years old think of Africa?08:09 I read your article on “China’s venture capital is dying” which got quite popular in China. What are your most updated views on China’s capital market? Esp with the stock market rising recently?15:36 In your view, what is the best way to track population growth in major cities? How do you see the differentiation between top-tier and lower-tier cities going forward? Seeing many of your posts talking up some of the lower tier cities, but also feel that top tier cities remain 'safer' as an investment (esp. property).22:00 What kind of policy that Chinese gov would give with regards of the aging population and declining birthrate? And what kind of policy do you think would be useful?26:48 Both China and America have allowed for hedge funds and stock buybacks, but supposedly China's economy is less financialized. What do you think about this topic?37:35 How do you see language becoming a barrier in the near future when Chinese investors and companies continue to export in key industries beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar?40:45 I haven’t had the chance to listen to the podcast on China inc’s overseas strategy after the TikTok ban. Any chance to brief us on the discussion? Just want to have more views on TT41:40 And please share your thoughts on Elon Musk’s visit to China and its implications49:17 How will power transition work? Will it go smoothly next time?53:16 I want to ask about the China-India relationship, which has been pretty terrible the last few years. India's govt has taken some pretty drastic actions to retaliate against the border issue and limit Chinese involvement in the Indian economy (investment curbs, banning TikTok, raiding Xiaomi, etc), but China has not imposed any sort of reciprocal penalties. Do you have some sense of where things stand from the Chinese government's point of view, and how do you see this going in the coming months?55:45 Are there interesting platforms(in English) to know about Chinese Tech trends, especially great startups? Something like Techcrunch but for Chinese Companies57:50 TikTok and US… what is the mainstream in China saying about it?01:03:02 What advice would you give to Ecosystem builders who are looking at attracting Chinese Tech VCs to invest in markets other than the traditional SEA region? i.e. Going beyond investing in Construction and EV sales.