This Is Not an Advertorial

7/22/2010 - Holding the latest copy of China Daily USA is not the same as carryin’ pictures of Chairman Mao. To be sure, its editorial policy is under the eye of the state. But it's also a reliable force for increased transparency and an invaluable window to modern China. Here’s my 8 reasons to read China Daily.
1. Talking Points     Feel out of touch and need a quick fix? China Daily is the fastest possible survey across politics, current events, business, pop culture, and the latest scandals. I read the CD headlines, then go online searching through the Guardian, the Times, blogs and etc.

2. Get the View from Beijing     Ever wonder how China’s government views North Korea’s behavior,valuation of the Chinese yuan, climate change, wage hikes, business ethics, the sex trade? CD makes it impossible to miss the official position.

3. Business intelligence     In one 500 word article I learned that Hubei Henglong (one of the millions of Chinese companies that hardly anyone has ever heard of) finalized $600 million in sales of automotive components to Detroit-based carmakers on May 29. And that 50 Chinese companies are expected to set up shop in Greater Detroit in the next two years. Sure, it’s only two data points in a huge landscape. But they’re useful data points, and I found no trace of them in the WSJ, Automotive News or any newswire, trade, or blog.

4. A primer on Chinese government relations     Watch the coverage on multinationals and foreigners and observe: those treated positively are presented along with a list of what they’ve done for China.

5. Communication with Chinese Characteristics     Case in point: Beijing + Taipei sign the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement on June 29. Readers: be absolutely certain that every word has passed the triple test of conveying a) Symbolic significance: China Daily does the math (2+2= ?) for westerners who might not otherwise appreciate why the agreement was signed in Chongqing, for example; b) Context: don’t just outline the ECFA, set the stage- frame up the history and current affairs so we can put it all together, like a Chinese person would and c) Intent: Please, tell us what to think, including the useful “Hmm, there’s 8 articles on this just today so it must be a Really Big Deal!” as well as the overkill "Gee whiz, this is just pure upside for everyone!"

6. Learn what’s Out Of The Closet     Every closet has skeletons, and China has a huge closets. But anything in CD is fair game for foreigners to talk about. besides, all that context, symbolism and intent is simultaneously educational and a cheat sheet on how to focus your skepticism. (ex. not many CD articles on human rights miss a chance to call out the USA for whatever offenses are on record.)

7. Appreciate the importance of native language     If you want to reach Chinese business people, stop telling yourself they all read English. It doesn’t matter. As immersed as I have been in Chinese language for decades, I still don't speed read well. CD's effort to make China comprehensible to westerners makes my life so much easier.

8. Corny headlines     There are people who think the Chinese are humorless. I say, get in touch with your inner 4th grader with hopelessly bad headlines like “Sofa So Good”, “Getting Horny” and “Samsung Savors Sweet Success”.

Search-directed online browsing (chinadailyusa.com) gets you some Chinese perspective. For aspiring China hands, or those of us stuck temporarily in exile from the middle kingdom, nothing beats a stack of China Dailys for a rainy Saturday of speed reading.