The China Daily

Hello again from Shunyi for Tuesday, 4th May where, probably like you, China is getting back to work after a 3 day long weekend for the annual May Day Holiday. To outsiders it may seem that China has a lot of holidays. True. Sort of. But we can discuss that in another article – maybe. Today, we will focus on the much maligned, misunderstood, oft castigated, poor old China People’s Daily.

The “emotive” description above is a bit tongue in cheek. It is not uncommon to see mainstream western, in particular, US Media quote the People’s China. Of course that is fine. We often quote from other media as well. However, you can bet your shirt, or your life or your wife – which ever is more important- that anything quoted from China People’s Daily will be tagged with the snide rider:

the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Part in China

Of course the not so subtle inference is that nothing from this source can be believed, trusted or taken seriously. Sowing the seeds of doubt and hatred. That anything that does not mirror or reflect our glorious western, again, US, standards, beliefs and view of life is wrong. It is a propaganda rag biased in favour of the Chinese Government. Not objective. Yet compare Fox News and CNN. Same stories often treated differently reflecting each media’s political leanings.

We are not suggesting the China’s People’s Daily is a totally objective, neutral publication.
Of course it isn’t. No more than Fox or CNN is. A good example of political slant is this article describing a recent communication between various ethnic leaders in Xinjiang and New Zealand;

Xinjiang, New Zealand online meeting exchanges foster understanding
China Daily

Or this unashamedly political, propaganda video addressing the charges of genocide in Xinjiang;

Fact Check: Is there a ‘genocide’ in Xinjiang?
Video link

However, just as Fox and CNN also have good, meaty objective stories, so too does the China People’s Daily. So whilst their editorials and political content is oft – but not always – slanted in favour of the Chinese GVt, it does carry some useful, worthwhile content. Business, finance and motoring are some good examples. Which is why we list it as one of our sources.

Now, many articles are short, in both content and depth and do tend to have an upbeat, rarara feel, such as this one:

China’s May Day holiday travel back to 2019 level
China Daily

However the canny reader will draw comparisons between 2019 , 2020 and today and note that domestically at least, China is coming back to life. In many cases it is not the article itself that is of value, but rather the snapshot insight it gives to where Chinese society and economy is at that given time.

For marketers looking to establish a distribution / logistics branch in China, this article may be provide useful information;

Logistics port becomes operational in China’s Guizhou
China Daily

In summary, the China Peoples Daily Newspaper carries some very good, informative stories.
They may not actually be in great depth but CEO’s, CMO’s marketers or SME’s looking at entering the China market will find it gives good background to what is actually happening here. If you are serious about the China market, put your political biases aside, take off your rose tinted specs and add The People’s Daily to your reading list. Just be sure to balance it with some of the others from our list.

Introducing Everlyne YU

China Website Baidu Optimisation

In 2003 Everlyne Yu co-founded WPBeijing Marketing Studio with Englishman Peter Bic, now known as Bic Brands.

She began Uengager, as a SaaS MarTech company focused on customer engagement in 2017.

Hello, Nihao, I’m Everlyne

“I love to talk about and help people understand the amazing ways MarTech and SaaS can work to strengthen your business engagement with Chinese consumers.
I know you have questions or want to talk about your brand or business in China so please, drop me a line opposite. If you prefer live chat, call and talk to me live, in person direct.“

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Everlyne is also a key note speaker, lecturer and KOL on MarTech in China. She is CEO of Uengager, business development officer for Bicyu.

Everlyne hs been privileged to work with a variety of international organisations, from VW, Cushman Wakefield, Sodexo, Bristol Myers Squibb to local Chinese firms such as Midea, and OK Order.

If you’re looking for guidance, tips, advice on any aspect of starting or growing a business in China or training, coaching your existing China marketing team for excellence, be sure to check out Uengager. Home page and base for Everlyne Yu. Read her short bio – opposite left – or contact her direct – below – for a free, heart to heart chat.