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Johnny Erling

Johnny Erling Published: March 5th, 2021

Wang Huning: servant of three masters

It’s always the same protocol ritual, celebrated annually on March 5. This Friday, China’s Premier Li Keqiang will open the mammoth meeting of the National People’s Congress with his accountability report and the key data for the new five-year plan and this time also for a 15-year plan. Thousands of delegates are already waiting in […]

Johnny Erling Published: February 26th, 2021

China’s compass points south

Red display boards in the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets promise investors gains. The color green stands for losses. This is one way China’s stock markets differ from those in Europe, where green is the color of hope. It is also paradoxical that masses of housewives and pensioners scurry on the trading floor. Ninety-six percent […]

Johnny Erling Published: February 11th, 2021

Behind the scenes of power: Xi’s New Year’s speech

Chinese consider themselves lucky because they can celebrate the New Year twice (with double the holiday entitlement). They look forward to the Western New Year on Dec. 31 and then to their traditional New Year and Family Festival (Chunjie), which begins on the night of Feb. 12 this year. But President Xi Jinping speaks to […]