Lijia Zhang's Blog, page 28
June 7, 2020
Is English useless now in China
My latest oped in South China Morning Post, arguing downgrading English in China is unwise right now. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3087565/why-downgrading-english-boost-chinas-cultural-confidence-bad-idea
May 23, 2020
Being quoted in New Yorker
After all these years, I am still pleased to myself being quoted, especially in a publication such as New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/china-declares-victory-over-both-the-coronavirus-and-critics-of-the-communist-party-at-the-biggest-political-event-of-the-year
April 18, 2020
Taoism, nature and C-19
A commentary piece in today’s SCMP about the lessons we can learn from China’s indigenous Daoism, co-authored by me and my good friend Chen Xia, a top expert on Daoism.
March 6, 2020
Iwd
At panel discussion to mark International Women’s Day last night at China Exchange, with the theme ‘collective individualism’. It was a joint event involving IoD City, Women in the Livery section of the City Livery Club, Women Icebreakers of The 48 Group Club , ASEAN UK Business Forum ( AUBF ) and Mulan Foundation Network. I was honored to share a stage with outstanding women such as economist Vicky Pryce and digital strategist Francine Beleyi and a wonderful man talking from a male perspective.
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February 28, 2020
Book fair on Lithuania
I’ve just returned from attending the book fair in Vilnius. My novel Lotus has just been published in Lithuanian. I am pleased to report the trip was both enjoyable and successful. My event, introduced by the Lithuanian ambassador to China, the fabulous Ina Marciulionyte, was packed. And according to my publisher, the queue for my book singing was among the longest, together with the one for the president’s book, as well as a best-selling self-help book by a charismatic, long-haired priest about how to make peace with oneself. I am flattered. I was so impressed that so many people braved the cold weather to attend the book fair. The Lithuanians obviously love books and buy a lot of them, despite their modest pay.
February 21, 2020
Attending Lithuania book fair
I’ve been enjoying myself in Vilnius. After my arrival yesterday afternoon, I was met by my publisher, taken into a grand old hotel called Shakespeare, started interviews straight away. And a few receptions. How lovely to be looked after and to receive all these attention. Oh yes, excited to see the Lithuania edition of Lotus.
February 16, 2020
February 3, 2020
January 20, 2020
My events packed week in Shanghai
So busy in China, I didn’t even have time to post on social media. I was in Shanghai for a week, during which time I had six events. It started well on Sunday the 8th at M with a full-house. There I talked about the stories of my family, which illustrate the changing role of women in China. On Monday evening, I had an event with rising star Karoline Kan, the author of ‘Under the Red Skies’, discussing writing about China. Tuesday the 14 was a big day. On that morning, I gave a keynote speech at a business conference, using my story to illustrate how China has changed. It went down like a storm, if I do say so myself. On that evening, the Luxemburg consulate general and his lovely wife organized a dinner speech for me in their residence, attended by a group of diplomats and executives. The topic was again on gender. On Wednesday, I addressed a Toastmaster club in Jinan (mostly Chinese keen to learn English and public speaking). Many wrote to me, saying how much they felt inspired. And finally speaking at Royal Asiatic Society about my novel Lotus. It has been a morale-boosting trip.
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