Thread by @CindyXiaodanYu

A few observations after a couple of weeks in China... 🧵

1. The domestic transition to EVs is real

There's a tendency in the West to write off Chinese EVs as an export phenomenon. Most taxi drivers are on EVs now; one told me that charging is up to two thirds cheaper than petrol. Charging points are not a problem to find in cities

2. US sanctions have backfired

Spoke to people in Huawei and in other parts of the tech supply chain who agree that Biden's chips controls have accelerated Chinese suppliers coming together, a point @hsu_steve makes well. Today's tech sector is overwhelmingly confident

Pic above of Huawei's mental Shenzhen campus, a 1.2km square plot with life-size replicas of European landmarks, which I toured. Here are some more (including the three train lines that connects the campus)

3. Morale is still low

Most (esp in big cities) will complain how tough competition is in China these days. Social strata have hardened. The economy has not recovered. Past optimism is becoming ennui. A large part of the pessimism seems underpinned by the ongoing property crisis

Even so, it remains a vibrant country, and its young people are creative and fun. I found this moment touching: at dusk, a young busker runs a lakeside karaoke machine, inviting others to join. The exodus to RedNote was a reminder how little the West still sees of Chinese lives

And of course, some obligatory funky and delicious food pics...

1. Sichuan pepper'ed chicken nuggets
2. 'Sorrowful Rice' (char siu and egg)
3. Braised goose feet
4. Stir fried bull frog (tastes like chicken!)