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 | March 4, 2021
Has China lifted 100 million people out of poverty? (March 1, 2021, BBC) Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country has reached the ambitious goal set when he assumed office in 2012 of lifting 100 million people out of poverty.
Changchun!
One of the fascinating things about living in Changchun during the 1990s was watching the turbo-charged development that took place beginning in 1992.
ZGBriefs | February 25, 2021
China orders clergy to toe Communist Party and socialist line (February 19, 2021, South China Morning Post) New national rules requiring clergy to embrace the leadership of the Communist Party and China’s socialist system are expected to compound limits on religious freedom in the country,...
ZGBriefs | February 18, 2021
The Yongzheng Emperor and Christianity in China (February 16, 2021, Sup China) In 1724, the Yongzheng Emperor proscribed Christianity. But what he really wanted is what rulers always want: people who will serve their state but not threaten its order.
3 Questions: Using WeChat for Gospel Outreach
A Chinese sister tells how she uses WeChat to share the gospel with her family and friends.
ZGBriefs | February 11, 2021
Celebrate Lunar New Year online with a variety of virtual events (February 8, 2021, Lonely Planet) Many of the celebrations for the Lunar New Year are taking place virtually this year, inspired by food, performances and art and craft traditions that take place across Asia.
From the Archives: A Series Roundup
In case you are new to the ChinaSource Blog or just missed these the first time around, here are a few of our recent series.
ZGBriefs | February 4, 2021
Chinese New Year good luck fruit is nutrition powerhouse (February 3, 2021, Inkstone News) Kumquat trees adorned with red lai see fong (literally, good fortune envelopes) are auspicious decorations at the start of the Lunar New Year. Native to China, the fruit is available around the world, including at supermarkets in major cities in the US.
Online Event: The Vessel Overturned
Current Views on Hong Kong Christian Civic Life
Sociologist Lida Nedilsky will talk about the involvement of Catholics and Protestants in Hong Kong's civic life, and the impact this has had on churches in the city.
ZGBriefs | January 28, 2021
8 Things To Know About The New Requirement For A Negative Covid-19 Test To Fly To The U.S. (January 26, 2021, View from the Wing) As of today the U.S. now requires a negative Covid-19 test within 3 days prior to departure, or documentation of having already recovered from Covid-19, for all air passengers flying to the country (citizens and non-citizens alike).