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 | October 28, 2021
China is removing domes from mosques as part of a push to make them more 'Chinese' (October 24, 2021, NPR) China is removing the domes and minarets from thousands of mosques across the country. Authorities say the domes are evidence of foreign religious influence and are taking down overtly Islamic architecture as part of a push to sinicize historically Muslim ethnic groups — to make them more traditionally Chinese.
Public Lecture: Chinese Christians and the Path to Liberal Modernity in China
Join us in person or online for the autumn lecture in our ongoing, joint series.
ZGBriefs | October 21, 2021
Things Confucius Never Said (October 16, 2021, Sixth Tone) But the sayings quoted by your teacher, grandma, and “spiritual” friends may well never have actually been uttered by Confucius; or if they were, they could have been wildly misrepresented since his death.
Glory to God All the Earth
Songs of the St. Louis Jesuits in Chinese
Worship music in Chinese to strengthen and encourage your soul.
ZGBriefs | October 14, 2021
Changing China: How Xi's 'common prosperity' may impact the world (October 9, 2021, BBC) One of the most visible consequences of common prosperity has been the refocusing of corporate China's priorities to the domestic market.
5 Prayer Resources for China
There is much to pray about when it comes to China and churches in China, but sometimes it’s hard to know specifically how to prayer. These resources will help.
ZGBriefs | October 7, 2021
Hammered by Blackouts, China’s Rust Belt Grinds Down (October 5, 2021, Sixth Tone) Since September, high coal costs and inflexible electricity prices have caused shortages that forced local governments to implement rolling blackouts for energy-intensive industries.
ZGBriefs | September 30, 2021
China’s Housing Bubble Puts All Other Housing Bubbles to Shame (September 27, 2021, Bloomberg) Pyramid scheme, house of cards, Jenga tower with half the pieces missing, intoxicated teenager on stilts.
ZGBriefs | September 23, 2021
Can I travel to mainland China? A guide to entry restrictions, documents, and vaccination and testing requirements (September 17, 2021, South China Morning Post) The measures look set to continue despite the potential long-term economic impact and the nation’s plans to host international events including the Winter Olympics. Here is what you need to know about China’s latest entry restrictions.
ZGBriefs | September 16, 2021
Buddies With Rice: China’s Simplest and Most Loved Dishes (September 10, 2021, The World of Chinese) Probably the simplest of all xiafancai is the legendary spicy sauce Laoganma, but there are many more nutritious (and delicious) rice partners out there.