Alec Ash's guest appearances

Alec Ash

Sinica Podcast

Intrepid Times

Barbarians at the Gate

Peter Hessler

Michael Berry

Jude Blanchette

Carl Minzner

Gary Liu

Scott Kennedy

Barbara Finamore

Susan Thornton

Ian Johnson

Paul Haenle

Kaiser Kuo

Paul Triolo

Bob Davis

Colin Wright

Jason Wu

OwlTail

Stephanie Studer

This week on Sinica, Kaiser chats with Stephanie Studer, China correspondent for The Economist, who recently published a special report in the magazine about China’s “Post-90s” generation; and with Alec Ash, author of the book Wish Lanterns, which looks at a cohort of Chinese youth born between 1985 and 1990. The two explore the apparent contradictions between, on the one hand, the cosmopolitanism and socially progressive attitudes of young Chinese today and, on the other, their increasingly assertive national identity. 9:15: Social liberalism and nationalism10:55: Less impressed by the west27:38: China’s millennials and their western counterparts38:06: A progressive generation and regressive regime 43:12: How state actors affect post-90’s discourseRead more about China’s new youth here on SupChina, by Alec Ash. Recommendations:Stephanie: Frank Dorn’s jigsaw map of 1936 Beijing, available on the Beijing Postcards website.Alec: He recommends traveling to Dali, Yunnan, as well as trying the provincial cuisine. Kaiser: The column Beijing Lights, published on the Spittoon Collective website.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Sinica, Kaiser chats with Stephanie Studer, China correspondent for The Economist, who recently published a <a href="https://www.economist.com/special-report/2021/01/21/young-chinese-are-both-patriotic-and-socially-progressive" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">special report</a> in the magazine about China’s “Post-90s” generation; and with Alec Ash, author of the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wish-Lanterns-Young-Lives-China/dp/1628727640" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Wish Lanterns</a>, which looks at a cohort of Chinese youth born between 1985 and 1990. The two explore the apparent contradictions between, on the one hand, the cosmopolitanism and socially progressive attitudes of young Chinese today and, on the other, their increasingly assertive national identity. 9:15: Social liberalism and nationalism10:55: Less impressed by the west27:38: China’s millennials and their western counterparts38:06: A progressive generation and regressive regime 43:12: How state actors affect post-90’s discourseRead more about China’s new youth <a href="https://supchina.com/2021/04/08/chinas-new-youth-the-diverse-post-tiananmen-generation-shaping-the-country/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">here on SupChina</a>, by Alec Ash. Recommendations:Stephanie: Frank Dorn’s jigsaw map of 1936 Beijing, available on the <a href="https://beijingpostcards.yoopay.cn/store" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Beijing Postcards website</a>.Alec: He recommends traveling to Dali, Yunnan, as well as trying the provincial cuisine. Kaiser: The column <a href="https://spittooncollective.com/author/kuang/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Beijing Lights</a>, published on the Spittoon Collective website.See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

China's new youth, with Alec Ash and Stephanie Studer

Alec Ash is a young British writer who lives in Beijing, who has covered “left behind” children in Chinese villages, the “toughest high school exam in the world” and internet live streaming among many other subjects. He is the author of Wish Lanterns, which the Financial Times called a “closely observed study of China’s millennials.” The book tells the stories of six Chinese people born between 1985 and 1990. The characters have very different backgrounds and aspirations, including a rock musician named Lucifer, an internet addict named Snail, and a patriotic Party official’s daughter.   In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Alec discusses his book with Kaiser, Jeremy, and David Moser. He talks about contemporary youth culture in China, the concerns of Chinese millennials, how he met the six characters in the book and what we can understand about China’s changing culture from their stories. Recommendations: Jeremy: Unreliable Sources: How the Twentieth Century Was Reported, by John Simpson. David: The Oxford Illustrated History of Modern China, edited by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom. Alec: The Barbarians at the Gate podcast. Kaiser: Battle Cry of Freedom, by James M. McPherson — ”the best single-volume history of the American Civil War that I know of” — and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping, by Stephen R. Platt.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alec Ash is a young British writer who lives in Beijing, who has covered “left behind” children in Chinese villages, the “toughest high school exam in the world” and internet live streaming among many other subjects. He is the author of Wish Lanterns, which the Financial Times called a “closely observed study of China’s millennials.” The book tells the stories of six Chinese people born between 1985 and 1990. The characters have very different backgrounds and aspirations, including a rock musician named Lucifer, an internet addict named Snail, and a patriotic Party official’s daughter.   In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Alec discusses his book with Kaiser, Jeremy, and David Moser. He talks about contemporary youth culture in China, the concerns of Chinese millennials, how he met the six characters in the book and what we can understand about China’s changing culture from their stories. Recommendations: Jeremy: Unreliable Sources: How the Twentieth Century Was Reported, by John Simpson. David: The Oxford Illustrated History of Modern China, edited by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom. Alec: The Barbarians at the Gate podcast. Kaiser: Battle Cry of Freedom, by James M. McPherson — ”the best single-volume history of the American Civil War that I know of” — and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping, by Stephen R. Platt.   See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

Talking ’bout my generation: Alec Ash and Chinese millennials

There are over 320 million people in China aged between 15 and 30.This generation is often derided by their elders as well as the media. Depending on who you ask they’re shallow and materialistic, apathetic or overly patriotic.Beijing based journalist Alec Ash thought this stereotype might be missing the full picture, so he set out to do some research.Over four years, he followed the lives of 6 millennials growing up and pursuing their aspirations in new China.His debut book ‘Wish Lanterns’ chronicles their experience. It was released last month in the UK to widespread acclaim, winning an interview in the New York Times and glowing endorsements by veteran China writers.I met up with Alec last weekend at the Shanghai launch of his book, and interviewed him for half an hour. Here’s the edited recording where Alec discusses his book, and the challenges and rewards faced by foreigners who write about China.http://intrepidtimes.com/2016/07/wish-lanterns-interview-china-writer-alec-ash/

There are over 320 million people in China aged between 15 and 30. This generation is often derided by their elders as well as the media. Depending on who you ask they’re shallow and materialistic, apathetic or overly patriotic. Beijing based journalist Alec Ash thought this stereotype might be missing the full picture, so he set out to do some research. Over four years, he followed the lives of 6 millennials growing up and pursuing their aspirations in new China. His debut book ‘Wish Lanterns’ chronicles their experience. It was released last month in the UK to widespread acclaim, winning an interview in the New York Times and glowing endorsements by veteran China writers. I met up with Alec last weekend at the Shanghai launch of his book, and interviewed him for half an hour. Here’s the edited recording where Alec discusses his book, and the challenges and rewards faced by foreigners who write about China. <a href="http://intrepidtimes.com/2016/07/wish-lanterns-interview-china-writer-alec-ash/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://intrepidtimes.com/2016/07/wish-lanterns-interview-china-writer-alec-ash/</a>

Wish Lanterns – Young Lives in New China, Interview With Alec Ash