ZGBriefs by Jon Kuert

After his first trip to China in 2001, Jon Kuert served as the director of AFC Global for seven years and was responsible for sending teams of students and volunteers to China and other parts of Asia. After that, he and his wife Elissa moved to Yunnan province where they lived for seven years. While in China, Jon taught English and led language and leadership hikes with university students. Together, he and Elissa also established a small business initiative to help rural Chinese women in difficult life situations. Currently, Jon lives in Minnesota and is the founder and director of Nihao MN, an international student organization dedicated to enriching the Chinese student experience through outdoor adventure and meals around the table.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | April 17, 2025

The Tradition of Chinese Kites: A Cultural Legacy in the Sky (April 15, 2025, The Beijinger Blog) Kites have long been a significant part of Chinese culture and are a tradition that dates back over 2,000 years.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | April 10, 2025

Three Ways to Become a Taoist Deity (April 8, 2025, Sixth Tone) Rather, it’s just another example of the complex nature of Taoist divinity, which can be attained via religious ceremony, imperial decree, or simple mass acclamation.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | March 27, 2025

Using Apps in China Feels Like a Different World (March 19, 2025, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations) China's internet is largely closed to the outside world, so platforms are specifically designed for Chinese user needs.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | March 20, 2025

Changsha’s Star Turn: How a Historic City Became China’s “Capital of Entertainment” (March 14, 2025, The World of Chinese) The capital city of Hunan province in central China has become an unexpected travel destination over the last decade…

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | March 13, 2025

Video - China Is Hard to Get To for Most Americans. Why? (March 11, 2025, The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations) Andrew Cap, an English teacher and American media personality in China, explores the obstacles preventing #tourism and #travel to China.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | March 6, 2025

The Chinese Migrants Hoping for a New Life in Germany (February 25, The Guardian) A small but growing number of Chinese people are fleeing home, with their sights set on Germany thanks to its reputation as a safe haven for refugees.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | February 27, 2025

CCC&TSPM Sets Four Key Tasks for 2025 (February 20, 2025, China Christian Daily) The China Christian Council and the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC&TSPM) have outlined four key priorities for the year…

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | February 20, 2025

Video: Work on the Margins in China (February 14, 2025, National Committee on U.S.-China Relations)As the pace of development and economic growth in China slows, employment prospects for workers on the margins, including migrant laborers, rural residents, and young people have changed and narrowed. In an interview conducted on January 22, 2025, Scott […]

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | February 13, 2025

Kunming: The Spring City’s Long Gospel History (February 6, 2025, China Partnership) When the gospel comes to this city, the gospel is also lukewarm.

ZGBriefs

ZGBriefs | February 6, 2025

Spring Festival 2.0: How Gen-Z Is Changing China’s Biggest Holiday (January 31, 2025, Sixth Tone) For China’s Gen-Z, the Spring Festival is still the biggest holiday of the year, but the way they celebrate is evolving — more online, more personalized, shaped by social media and a growing appetite for niche traditions.