13 Comments

This comment is late, but I like your writings, and because of that I watched Let the Bullets Fly, and I have to say, as an American who is not totally ignorant to Chinese culture, or film in general, this is a profoundly weird and wacky movie.

I understand the "Let the bullets fly for awhile" line, but overall, can you give a good explanation (or link to one) on why that movie is so important to Chinese culture?

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basically a juxtaposition between laissez-faire and iron-fist control at the same time..

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Brilliant insight for an outsider. I'll be curious to see how the PRC Government deals with the issue of promoting innovation in the first place over the long-term. On the opposite side, the US approach certainly is causing issues now, but for a long time focusing on a productive marketplace kept the innovation machine running hot. From what I'm learning from you, it would seem the US could learn a lot from how the PRC markets continue to play out.

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I think you are correct that the online tech-sphere has become a bit of a wild-west and needs regulation rather than become an institution into itself. That is also true in the US and Europe so it must definitely be true of China.

But it matters “how” things are done. And I would argue that the way things are being done now, is classic power play. The CPC, which is basically Xi Jinping’s inner circle at this point, saw the regulatory need and also saw a way to (continue) to project overwhelming power.This is their primary goal.

Does anyone feel that “how” this has been done *doesn’t* show their power? Obviously not. And since it does, that must be part of their aim.

It is not a mere regulatory issue which can be done in any number of “softer” ways.

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This was a really insightful post, thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world Lillian! : ) Am now better able to comprehend the recent regulations that have been ongoing on China and how it could possibly affect future topdogs

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Thank you for an insightful post. So, if the walled gardens are going to come down; how does that impact the incumbents?

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You can't directly compare U.S. and Chinese regulations; they are apples and oranges. Many Chinese entrepreneurs received government help early on, but as they grew up, many were sent to prison or disappeared. Why? Because through the accumulation and growth of their wealth, these businesses or entrepreneurs have gradually eroded the borders of influence into the authority of the CCP and have influenced the rule of the powerful CCP class. If one understands this, it is easier to understand what the Chinese government is doing and how it will develop in the future.

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That last paragraph is some great writing!

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china is doing what china does: consolidate and centralize control through power (moves) like regulation and monetary policy.

it'll be interesting to see how all of this plays out.

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"Just like Oprah dished out cars, every tech giant seems to be getting a summon."

Ha!

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