ZGBriefs by Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs.
Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (MN), and Chinese Culture and Communication at Wheaton College (IL) and Taylor University (IN).
Joann has a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (MN), and an MA in teaching from the University of St. Thomas (MN).
She is the author of Survival Chinese Lessons and The Bells Are Not Silent: Stories of Church Bells in China.
Her personal blog, Outside-In can be found at joannpittman.com, where she writes on China, Minnesota, traveling, and issues related to "living well where you don't belong."
You can find her on Twitter @jkpittman.com and on Facebook at @authorjoannpittman.
She makes her home in New Brighton, Minnesota.
ZGBriefs | May 5, 2022
Chinese Food Is a Celebration of Time and Place (April 19, 2022, Epicurious) “Authenticity” is a loaded word that many chefs like Tong stay away from, because the very concept discriminates against food that has evolved over years and generations.
ZGBriefs | April 28, 2022
Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry may launch its final journey after 142 years in service (April 25, 2022, The Points Guy) After 142 years of service, Hong Kong’s iconic Star Ferry may sail its last trip between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island — unless it gets help from big-bucks business investment.
ZGBriefs | April 21, 2022
The quest to save Cantonese in a world dominated by Mandarin (April 17, 2022, The Los Angeles Times) Cantonese is the language of San Francisco Chinatown’s dim sum restaurants and herbal shops, of Northern California towns such as Marysville, where Chinese gold miners settled in the 1850s. But in the U.S. too, Mandarin is what many new immigrants speak and what is taught in classrooms from elementary school through college.
ZGBriefs | April 14, 2022
China’s Growing Influence in Latin America (April 12, 2022, Council on Foreign Relations) Over the past two decades, China has developed close economic and security ties with many Latin American countries, including Brazil and Venezuela. But Beijing’s growing sway in the region has raised concerns in Washington and beyond.
ZGBriefs | April 7, 2022
Audio: China locks down most of Shanghai: One resident shares his experience (April 1, 2022, WBUR) In China, the vast majority of the residents of Shanghai are under lockdown. The government has modified its original plan to shut down each half of the city for four days in order to test the population for COVID-19.
ZGBriefs | March 31, 2022
Due to unforeseen circumstances, ZGBriefs is taking a brief break this week and will be back “scanning the internet so you don’t have to” soon. In the meantime we invite you to join our free online webinar next month.
ZGBriefs | March 24, 2022
China’s Population to Peak as More Provinces Report Declines (March 20, 2022, Bloomberg) China’s population will likely peak this year, a central bank adviser said, with several provinces already reporting declines in the population growth rate.
ZGBriefs | March 17, 2022
Pandemic postcard: COVID outbreak leaves Hong Kong in limbo (March 16, 2022, AP) As a COVID-19 outbreak overwhelms Hong Kong, it’s hard for its 7.4 million residents to know what’s next.
ZGBriefs | March 10, 2022
Who are the Chinese Diaspora in Ukraine? (March 4, 2022, The World of Chinese) The trade, education, and human connections between China and Ukraine—in infographics.
ZGBriefs | March 3, 2022
China quietly plans a pivot from ‘zero COVID’ (March 1, 2022, Science)
Under what’s now called “dynamic zero COVID,” localities have leeway to “tailor the measures to local conditions,” says HKU virologist Huachen Zhu. But the national government is pushing back at what it considers unnecessary local restrictions.