Helen’s Column

Connect Online

Archives

Ads by Google

Helen’s Book

Search Site

Email Subscription

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Calendar

February 2012
M T W T F S S
« Jan    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
272829  

My Interview on BBC World News

On December 6th, I was on BBC World News to discuss eurozone debt crisis and how the Chinese middle class can help re-balance the West’s economy.

My Speech at Asia House in London

On December 5th, I spoke with Lord Wei at Asia House in London on the impact of China’s middle class to the West and the meaning of a new Chinese Dream. Sir John Boyd, chairman of Asia House, introduced Lord Wei and me at the event. Below is the speech I gave at the event.

Thank you, Sir John Boyd, for your kind introduction.

First, I’d like to thank Lord Wei and Asia House for hosting my book launch here. It’s such an honor for me. Thank you very much!

This is my second time in London. London is a special place for me because, as a native Chinese, my first exposure to the Western world was through Dickens’ novels and Shakespeare’s plays. I remember the first time I visited London in 1993, I made a point to visit the Dickens House and Shakespeare’s home.

Today, I come to London at a very different time. The West’s economy is faltering. The eurozone debt crisis is looming large. Yet, I believe the biggest story of our time is not Italy’s default, or occupying London. Although these events are very significant, there is another story that has far-reaching implications – the rise of China’s middle class.

Do you know that the Chinese middle class is already five times the size of the UK population? In fifteen years, the Chinese middle class will reach 800 million. It will change the dynamics of the world we live in, and have huge impact on everything – our life, our jobs, our economy, and the world.

Today, I’d like to talk about three things: First, I will tell you a little bit about myself – who I am, and why I wanted to write this book. Second, I will tell a story about people I interviewed in China to give you an idea what it is like to be middle class in China. Third, I will discuss briefly the main thesis of the book: “the Oneness of the World.” Continue reading My Speech at Asia House in London

I Will Be Speaking in London with Lord Wei

Upon the invitation of Lord Wei, a member of the House of Lords in the UK, I will be speaking at Asia House in London on December 5th. I am very honored that Lord Wei will share the stage with me and have a conversation about the Chinese Dream. Please see the invitation below:

Lord Wei is the youngest member of the House of Lords and a former adviser with the UK Government on the Big Society project. Due to his extraordinary work as a community leader, he was appointed a life peer at age thirty-three by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Register at:  http://thechinesedream.eventbrite.com

I will also be attending the House of Lords to discuss with Lord Wei the future of the Chinese dream, and how overseas Chinese can help bridge China and the West to create a more balanced and sustainable world.

Enhanced by Zemanta

What Is the Chinese Dream?

A few months back, I wrote an article “What Is the Chinese Dream” here. In that article, I recounted an incident in which someone asked me: “tell me in one sentence or two, what is the Chinese dream?” I stuttered, and then said, “This is a simple question, but there are no simple answers.”

Since then, I have been thinking about this question, “what is the Chinese Dream?” I feel a little foolish that, having written a book titled The Chinese Dream, I still cannot articulate what the Chinese dream is.

When I speak to an American audience, I often say “the Chinese Dream is like the American Dream” (and this has even offended some of my Chinese compatriots). Yes, the Chinese middle class wants what Americans have – owning a big house, driving a luxurious car, and living a comfortable life.

But many would argue with me that that is not the essence of the American Dream. Continue reading What Is the Chinese Dream?

My Interview on Talk Tonight Show at Bay Area Chinese TV KTSF Channel 26

I was on KTSF Channel 26, a San Francisco Chinese TV station, on Sept. 5, to talk about my book The Chinese Dream and the impact of the Chinese middle class on the U.S. economy.