China
Read your leader
The books China’s government officials pore over are a guide to what they’re thinking. Yang Guang reports.Government officials’ reading selections provide much food for thought because of their power and influence.A survey conducted earlier this year by Insight China magazine reveals 35.1 percent of government officials spend 10 to 14 hours reading per week, and the figure is seven to nine hours for 26 percent.Reading appears to be a tradition among Chinese government officials.Mao Zedong once said he could manage a day without food or sleep but not without books. His favorites were classical Chinese history books, such as The Twenty-Four Histories (a collection of books covering the period from 3000 BC to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)) and Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government (histories from 403 BC to AD 959, covering 16 dynasties).Deng Xiaoping was also a fan of history books, particularly Records of Three Kingdoms, and a fan of Hong Kong martial arts novelist Louis Cha.It is reported that Jiang Zemin had a collection of 3,000 books in his office, when he was mayor of Shanghai. Jiang told Time magazine he liked reading Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) poems, as well as works by Dante, Shakespeare, Balzac, Tolstoy and Mark Twain.Hu Jintao recalled how he read Russian novels How the Steel Was Tempered and The Story of Zoya and Shura with passion as a young man, when meeting a visiting Russian youth delegation.The Fourth Plenum of the 17th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee considered constructing a learning-oriented Party as an urgent task in 2009.In May 2009, Xi Jinping proposed that “reading and learning” are necessary for leading cadres to be competent in their work, at the opening ceremony of a seminar at the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC – the top training facility for senior government officials.According to Wang Changjiang, a professor with the Party School, there has been an initiative to encourage officials to read: Every class is divided into several teams and every team member gives a 15-minute speech about a book they have read. The best are then selected to attend class-level exchanges.”The driving force (of this initiative) is considerable since competition is involved,” Wang says. “They (officials) tend to read professional books in their working areas.”The Publicity Department and Organization Department have recommended books to Party members nationwide since 2010. Four booklists have been forwarded so far.The first list focuses on deepening understanding of basic Party theories and includes seven collections of classical works by Marx, Engels, Lenin and Mao, among others.A publishing industry insider told Oriental Outlook magazine that both the Publicity Department and the General Administration of Press and Publication have special subdivisions in charge of book recommendations. They will follow newly published books, ask publishing houses for recommendations and then place group purchasing orders.Zhang Zuozhen, marketing director with Sanlian Bookstore, says books about Mao remain the most popular among government officials’ group purchases. Biographies of important figures in the CPC and of historical figures in political and business circles are also sought-after.In addition, officialdom novels, a genre originating from Wang Yuewen’s 1999 Painting, have remained in vogue. Some are even regarded as guides for grassroots officials.On the provincial level, recommendations are made out of more practical concerns. For instance, Hunan province’s authorities have made it clear that besides books recommended by the central government, they would attach more emphasis to titles on the contemporary market economy, international relations and information technology.Under such guidelines, economics and finance books are a frequent choice, such as The Logic of Finance and Currency Wars, although some are still controversial within academic circles.Compared with government organizations, recommendations by individual officials attract more eyeballs. One example is Wang Yang, Party secretary of Guangdong province.When he was the Party secretary of Chongqing municipality in 2007, Wang strongly recommended Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat to his colleagues. After he was transferred to work in Guangdong, he invited Friedman for a visit and the latter considered Wang to be “one of the most innovative thinkers in China’s leadership today”.At the beginning of 2011, Wang wrote a letter to cadres of provincial and municipal governments, recommending Mismeasuring Our Lives: Why GDP Doesn’t Add Up and Happier: Finding Pleasure, Meaning and Life’s Ultimate Currency. The two books about happiness are believed to represent Wang’s administrative philosophy.Read full article here.
The books China’s government officials pore over are a guide to what they’re thinking. Yang Guang reports.Government officials’ reading selections provide much food for thought because of their power and influence.A survey conducted earlier this year by Insight China magazine reveals 35.1 percent of government officials spend 10 to 14 hours reading per week, and the figure is seven to nine hours for 26 percent.Reading appears to be a tradition among Chinese government officials.
Mao Zedong once said he could manage a day without food or sleep but not without books. His favorites were classical Chinese history books, such as The Twenty-Four Histories (a collection of books covering the period from 3000 BC to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)) and Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government (histories from 403 BC to AD 959, covering 16 dynasties).Deng Xiaoping was also a fan of history books, particularly Records of Three Kingdoms, and a fan of Hong Kong martial arts novelist Louis Cha.It is reported that Jiang Zemin had a collection of 3,000 books in his office, when he was mayor of Shanghai. Jiang told Time magazine he liked reading Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) poems, as well as works by Dante, Shakespeare, Balzac, Tolstoy and Mark Twain.Hu Jintao recalled how he read Russian novels How the Steel Was Tempered and The Story of Zoya and Shura with passion as a young man, when meeting a visiting Russian youth delegation.
The Fourth Plenum of the 17th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee considered constructing a learning-oriented Party as an urgent task in 2009.In May 2009, Xi Jinping proposed that “reading and learning” are necessary for leading cadres to be competent in their work, at the opening ceremony of a seminar at the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC – the top training facility for senior government officials.According to Wang Changjiang, a professor with the Party School, there has been an initiative to encourage officials to read: Every class is divided into several teams and every team member gives a 15-minute speech about a book they have read. The best are then selected to attend class-level exchanges.
Wang’s administrative philosophy.Read full article here.
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Read your leader
Business
Business Update: Southern Sun Reports Earnings Growth; China Stimulates Property Market – News24
Southern Sun reports increased earnings, attributed to growth in the hospitality sector, while China’s property market receives a boost, reflecting economic recovery and renewed investor confidence.
Southern Sun Earnings Surge
Southern Sun has reported a significant increase in its earnings, showcasing solid financial performance amid evolving market conditions. This growth highlights the company’s resilience and adaptability to changing consumer demands, positioning it well for future opportunities in the hospitality industry.
China’s Property Market Recovery
In a bid to rejuvenate its economy, China has introduced measures to boost its property market. These initiatives aim to stabilize real estate prices and encourage investment, which is crucial for maintaining economic momentum. The government’s commitment to supporting the sector reflects its understanding of the industry’s importance in overall economic health.
Broader Economic Implications
The rise in Southern Sun’s earnings and China’s proactive approach to revitalizing its property market indicate broader economic trends. Investors and stakeholders are keenly observing these developments, as they may signal recovery and growth opportunities in both the hospitality and real estate sectors. The collaboration between local businesses and governmental actions will be pivotal in shaping future economic landscapes.
Source : Business brief | Southern Sun sees earnings rise; China boosts its property market – News24
China
Vietnam’s Approach to China: A Balance of Cooperation and Struggle
Vietnam’s diplomatic strategy seeks a balance of cooperation and struggle with China, focusing on strengthening ties while resisting encroachments in the South China Sea through military enhancements and regional partnerships.
Vietnam’s Diplomatic Strategy
Vietnam’s diplomatic approach seeks to maintain a delicate balance between cooperation and struggle with China. While concerned about China’s growing influence, particularly in the South China Sea, Hanoi focuses on strengthening its economic and political ties. This effort involves military enhancements, fostering relationships with regional powers, and engaging in frequent political dialogues. By skillfully navigating relations with major powers, Vietnam aims to protect its sovereignty and foster stability amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Recent Developments and Implications
Hanoi’s diplomatic maneuvering has drawn attention, particularly regarding key visits like Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam’s August 2024 trip to China. Although there are apprehensions about a potential shift in Vietnam’s alignment due to To Lam’s background in public security and his anti-corruption initiatives, it is premature to predict any significant changes in policy. Vietnam’s leaders must continuously seek a balance between peaceful coexistence with China and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Economic Interdependence and Military Modernization
Vietnam’s strategy involves fostering economic interdependence with China while simultaneously resisting encroachments. This paradigm of “cooperation and struggle” enables Hanoi to cultivate beneficial ties in economic, political, and security domains. By leveraging its geographical advantage and connections, Vietnam enhances its economic ties while countering threats through military modernization and cooperation with regional partners. This nuanced approach allows Vietnam to welcome trade, particularly amidst shifting dynamics from the US-China trade war, ensuring continued foreign direct investment and growth in key sectors.
Source : Cooperation and struggle define Vietnam’s approach to China
China
2025 Schedule of Public Holidays in China
China’s 2025 public holiday schedule increases holidays by two days, with an 8-day Spring Festival and a 5-day Labor Day. Adjustments address public frustration, though long work periods persist. Notably, weekends are often designated as workdays to balance extended breaks.
China has released its 2025 Public Holiday schedule. Compared to 2024, the number of public holidays for all citizens has increased by two days, specifically for Lunar New Year’s Eve and May 2nd.
The announcement also clarifies the adjusted holiday arrangements, stating that the continuous work period before and after statutory holidays generally should not exceed six days, except for certain special circumstances.
According to the notice, in 2025, the Spring Festival will have an 8-day holiday, the Labor Day holiday will last 5 days, and the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival will jointly have 8 days off.
China has long been considered one of the least generous countries in terms of public holidays. Additionally, people have expressed frustration over the complicated adjustments to holiday and working days that are meant to create longer breaks. The newly introduced changes are expected to address these concerns to some extent.
Beyond the newly introduced changes, China’s 2025 public holiday schedule still features two major week-long holidays: Spring Festival (also known as Chinese New Year) and the National Day holiday (often called ‘Golden Week’).
In 2025, the Spring Festival falls between January 28 and February 4, and the National Day holiday, together with the Mid-Autumn Festival, fall between October 1 and 8.
Foreign human resource managers should note that Saturdays and Sundays are often marked as additional official workdays in China to compensate for long holiday breaks. For example, January 26 (Sunday) and February 8 (Saturday) are designated as workdays to partially offset the eight days off for the Spring Festival.
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
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- Business Update: Southern Sun Reports Earnings Growth; China Stimulates Property Market – News24
- Vietnam’s Approach to China: A Balance of Cooperation and Struggle
- 2025 Schedule of Public Holidays in China
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