Ever since I switched jobs, I can’t count the number of times I have been asked, "So how is your new job? Are you happy?" My answer is often: "I don’t know."
The “Potted Plant” Mindset
Ever since I relocated from Silicon Valley to Beijing, I have literally been asked by everyone around me: Is the move permanent? Do you want to be in the US or China in the long run? To which I reply: Why do I need to stay in any place “permanently”? Why do I have to … Continue reading The “Potted Plant” Mindset
What is it like to work in China?
Since I relocated to Beijing from Silicon Valley, one of the questions I got most frequently has been: "So how do you like working in China?" Here are some observations so far.
Taipei Tasting Notes
When I arrived in Taiwan for the first time last week, my first impression was that it felt just like Japan. Taipei station feels just like Tokyo station. Ximen is like Shinjuku/Shibuya. Even the cute, mountainous town on the outskirt of Taipei - Jiufen - reminds one of Kamakura, the cute, mountainous town on the outskirt … Continue reading Taipei Tasting Notes
China’s Watching Silicon Valley. Does Silicon Valley Watch China?
Every day, I meet entrepreneurs across the US and China. I often ask them about their competitors overseas. When I’m in China, I notice that Chinese founders usually have comprehensive knowledge about their US competitors, listing off minute product features and the latest numbers on their size and traction. On the other hand, when I … Continue reading China’s Watching Silicon Valley. Does Silicon Valley Watch China?
How to Keep Up with What’s Happening in China
This is a list of resources that I have found helpful for staying in touch with what's happening in China (and here's why I stay in touch with China), with a focus on tech. I should admit that I have been/am currently affiliated with many of the outlets mentioned below. English-language resources 996 Podcast A … Continue reading How to Keep Up with What’s Happening in China
A Love Letter to Arsicault Bakery
If you know me, you know that I’m a croissant snob. I had originally conceived this blog post as a comprehensive review of “The Croissants of San Francisco.” But after going around tasting all the croissants of San Francisco, the verdict for the best croissant became so clear that I decided to devote my entire … Continue reading A Love Letter to Arsicault Bakery
“Father of WeChat” Lays Out 2018 Product Roadmap
By Zara Zhang and Hans Tung What is the most watched speech in the Chinese tech community? It is WeChat's founder Allen Zhang's keynote address at the WeChat Open Class PRO (WeChat's equivalent of Apple's WWDC or Google I/O) held in Guangzhou each January. Zhang is the mastermind behind WeChat, the super app with 980 million … Continue reading “Father of WeChat” Lays Out 2018 Product Roadmap
Lessons Learned from Organizing Harvard China Forum
At Harvard, I co-led the organization of Harvard China Forum, the largest student-run China conference in North America that attracts 1,200 attendees and features over 100 speakers each year. The speaker list is a who's who of prominent figures in the US-China cross-border world. It was not easy to run a large event as students … Continue reading Lessons Learned from Organizing Harvard China Forum
Has Tech Made China Less Friendly to Foreigners?
For every app that I use, there is a China equivalent that I put into a category on my phone called “China.” This screenshot reminds me of how self-contained China’s tech ecosystem has become. Chinese people use Chinese apps. Non-Chinese people use non-Chinese apps. Those who travel back and forth, like me, usually have … Continue reading Has Tech Made China Less Friendly to Foreigners?
