About

The term ‘China Hand’ originally referred to merchants in the treaty ports of China who were able to provide foreigners with knowledge about the country’s language and culture. Nowadays, China Hand — or its Chinese equivalent: 中国通 (zhōng guó tōng) — is used to describe people with a thorough understanding of China; not only with respect to linguistic and cultural aspects, but increasingly also regarding its economic and political trajectory.

Back in 2009, I was first introduced to China working as a volunteer English teacher in the far-western region of Xinjiang. I literally found myself in between worlds: the thrifty Han-Chinese who had mostly migrated to Xinjiang from other parts of China, and the more traditional, Central Asia-oriented Uyghur population. Living amongst these two very distinct groups of people I quickly noticed how diverse and complicated China truly is.

To make sense of what was going on around me, I started to write reports (in Dutch) about the many fascinating aspects of life in a small city on the ancient Silk Road. I wrote about the many trips I made throughout China with fellow volunteers and the people we encountered along the way. Given China’s relentless economic rise, there was more than enough to write about on the economics side. Witnessing the palpable tension between the Han-Chinese and the Uyghurs, I became immersed in Chinese politics, too. Becoming familiar with Mandarin Chinese helped me to better understand people’s behaviour and opinions.

During my studies at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, I returned to China for a Bachelor exchange semester in Shanghai. Although I found myself in a completely different environment as compared to Xinjiang, it was no less interesting and I picked up my digital pen again soon after settling in. In addition to covering the city’s rapid development, the 2012 Communist Party’s leadership change and China’s growing assertiveness in the region, I expanded my Mandarin capabilities and further explored the inner, less well-known provinces.

I have had the ambition to live and work in China from a young age. After starting my career at the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM), I moved to Hong Kong in late 2018 to work at Privium Fund Management, a global investment management company. Hong Kong has always had an uneasy relationship with the mainland. Given the latter’s growing influence in the Special Administrative Region, it was fascinating to witness the constant tension and occasional chaos that gripped the city the following years. At the end of 2021, I relocated to Singapore to continue my career and follow the developments in China from a distance. After living well over five years in Asia it was time to return home to the Netherlands.

Not yet an Old China Hand, as experts on Chinese affairs are often referred to, my aim is to engage readers with China by sharing my personal insights into this fascinating and complex country. Although the articles are all in some way related to China, the scope of topics is quite broad: from China’s economic performance and political developments, to cultural differences and social transformations. Bigger trends will be complemented with personal experiences. I will try to provide a nuanced view, with some articles being appreciative while others have a more critical tone. I am always open to discussion, so whether you consider yourself a China Hand or you have no connection to China (yet), I’m eager to hear your thoughts.