Christian Straube
@cstraube.bsky.social
Project Manager #China @stiftungmercator.bsky.social | Alumnus Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, @uniheidelberg.bsky.social, Tsinghua University & @daadworldwide.bsky.social | AFS #Malaysia '01 | #fieldwork in #Zambia '15-16
Reposted by Christian Straube
Map showing Zambia's new copper export routes in the 1960s after Rhodesia's government abruptly cut off transport links going south.
Zambia was remarkably successful in swiftly re-orientating the industry eastwards:
Zambia was remarkably successful in swiftly re-orientating the industry eastwards:
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Map showing Zambia's new copper export routes in the 1960s after Rhodesia's government abruptly cut off transport links going south.
Zambia was remarkably successful in swiftly re-orientating the industry eastwards:
Zambia was remarkably successful in swiftly re-orientating the industry eastwards:
Reposted by Christian Straube
The novel's clear killer quote.
“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”
#Booksky
#Booksky
November 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
The novel's clear killer quote.
Reposted by Christian Straube
In Tanzania, the Gen Z uprising meets a state whose old bargains have collapsed. africasacountry.com/2025/11/afte...
After the coronation
Tanzania’s Gen Z uprising meets a state whose old bargains have collapsed.
africasacountry.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In Tanzania, the Gen Z uprising meets a state whose old bargains have collapsed. africasacountry.com/2025/11/afte...
Reposted by Christian Straube
I have a new, long piece in The Ideas Letter called “The Great Reckoning: What the West Should Learn from China," arguing that we must learn from China even (or especially) when its successes unsettle our assumptions. Link below.
October 17, 2025 at 6:19 AM
I have a new, long piece in The Ideas Letter called “The Great Reckoning: What the West Should Learn from China," arguing that we must learn from China even (or especially) when its successes unsettle our assumptions. Link below.
Reposted by Christian Straube
The China Tech Canon
The China Tech Canon
How does the paideía of the Chinese tech elite differ from their counterparts in Silicon Valley?
asteriskmag.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The China Tech Canon
Reposted by Christian Straube
A catastrophic spill at a copper mine in Zambia released acidic effluent into the Chambishi Stream, contaminating one of Zambia’s most important waterways. Several months on, those affected say the authorities are not doing enough.
🔗: https://loom.ly/FCcka9s
🔗: https://loom.ly/FCcka9s
The communities paying the price for Zambia’s toxic mining disaster
Those affected by a catastrophic spill at a copper mine in Chambishi say the authorities are not doing enough
dialogue.earth
October 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A catastrophic spill at a copper mine in Zambia released acidic effluent into the Chambishi Stream, contaminating one of Zambia’s most important waterways. Several months on, those affected say the authorities are not doing enough.
🔗: https://loom.ly/FCcka9s
🔗: https://loom.ly/FCcka9s
Reposted by Christian Straube
The new issue of the Made in China Journal is out! This time we explore what it means to come of age in China today, at a moment when the paths to adulthood are increasingly uncertain, yet the pressure to succeed remains relentless. Download the whole issue at madeinchinajournal.com/2025/10/27/b...
October 28, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The new issue of the Made in China Journal is out! This time we explore what it means to come of age in China today, at a moment when the paths to adulthood are increasingly uncertain, yet the pressure to succeed remains relentless. Download the whole issue at madeinchinajournal.com/2025/10/27/b...
Reposted by Christian Straube
www.klimareporter.de/internationa...
In Deutschland nach mehr Chinakompetenz zu rufen, aber weniger dafür zu tun, funktioniert nicht, sagt Joanna Klabisch von der Stiftung Asienhaus. Zivilgesellschaftliche Kooperation mit China sei heute schwieriger, aber weiterhin möglich. Teil 17 der Serie.
In Deutschland nach mehr Chinakompetenz zu rufen, aber weniger dafür zu tun, funktioniert nicht, sagt Joanna Klabisch von der Stiftung Asienhaus. Zivilgesellschaftliche Kooperation mit China sei heute schwieriger, aber weiterhin möglich. Teil 17 der Serie.
"Wir fragen uns heute viel stärker: Was wollen wir eigentlich erreichen?"
In Deutschland nach mehr Chinakompetenz zu rufen, aber immer weniger dafür zu tun, kann nicht funktionieren, sagt Joanna Klabisch von der Stiftung Asienhaus.
www.klimareporter.de
August 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
www.klimareporter.de/internationa...
In Deutschland nach mehr Chinakompetenz zu rufen, aber weniger dafür zu tun, funktioniert nicht, sagt Joanna Klabisch von der Stiftung Asienhaus. Zivilgesellschaftliche Kooperation mit China sei heute schwieriger, aber weiterhin möglich. Teil 17 der Serie.
In Deutschland nach mehr Chinakompetenz zu rufen, aber weniger dafür zu tun, funktioniert nicht, sagt Joanna Klabisch von der Stiftung Asienhaus. Zivilgesellschaftliche Kooperation mit China sei heute schwieriger, aber weiterhin möglich. Teil 17 der Serie.
Reposted by Christian Straube
Why does the EU have such bad leaders? Scathing, honest and enlightening explanation from Luis Garicano
open.substack.com/pu...
open.substack.com/pu...
October 4, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Why does the EU have such bad leaders? Scathing, honest and enlightening explanation from Luis Garicano
open.substack.com/pu...
open.substack.com/pu...
Reposted by Christian Straube
This is easily the coolest postdoc posting I've seen in a while, but it's a bit outside my wheelhouse and my dissertation timeline. The University ot Freiburg (universität-freiburg) is seeking a researcher on contemporary Chinese fantasy fiction and then some.
uni-freiburg.de/stellenangeb...
uni-freiburg.de/stellenangeb...
October 3, 2025 at 4:00 AM
This is easily the coolest postdoc posting I've seen in a while, but it's a bit outside my wheelhouse and my dissertation timeline. The University ot Freiburg (universität-freiburg) is seeking a researcher on contemporary Chinese fantasy fiction and then some.
uni-freiburg.de/stellenangeb...
uni-freiburg.de/stellenangeb...
Reposted by Christian Straube
An apt US intelligence analysis of Zaire, March 1979.
September 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
An apt US intelligence analysis of Zaire, March 1979.
Reposted by Christian Straube
even though I have an entire research programme on the kind of binary narrative exemplified by the post (China this "the west" that, I even have a forthcoming book on it), at this point I find it extremely boring. and social media is horrible. bc this kind of stuff guarantees virality.
September 27, 2025 at 6:47 PM
even though I have an entire research programme on the kind of binary narrative exemplified by the post (China this "the west" that, I even have a forthcoming book on it), at this point I find it extremely boring. and social media is horrible. bc this kind of stuff guarantees virality.
Reposted by Christian Straube
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Jerome A. Cohen, the eminent scholar of Chinese law. Our condolences to his family and all those who loved him.
He authored many books, most recently the memoir, "Eastward, Westward: A Life in Law."
(1/2)
He authored many books, most recently the memoir, "Eastward, Westward: A Life in Law."
(1/2)
September 23, 2025 at 4:23 PM
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Jerome A. Cohen, the eminent scholar of Chinese law. Our condolences to his family and all those who loved him.
He authored many books, most recently the memoir, "Eastward, Westward: A Life in Law."
(1/2)
He authored many books, most recently the memoir, "Eastward, Westward: A Life in Law."
(1/2)
Reposted by Christian Straube
The artist Sana Ginwalla has created an online photo archive based on 1000 uncollected negatives, slides and prints that she found in the attic of Lusaka’s oldest photo studios. What a great initiative:
www.zambiabelonging.com
www.zambiabelonging.com
Zambia Belonging
A counter-archive of found and crowd-sourced photographs from Zambia’s past.
www.zambiabelonging.com
September 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The artist Sana Ginwalla has created an online photo archive based on 1000 uncollected negatives, slides and prints that she found in the attic of Lusaka’s oldest photo studios. What a great initiative:
www.zambiabelonging.com
www.zambiabelonging.com
Reposted by Christian Straube
Scottish Centre for China Studies autumn seminar series starts next week
Dr Yu Sun (Uni of Glasgow)
Rating villagers’ morality via data scoring systems: everyday surveillance and techno-moral governance in rural China
Wed 24 Sept, 4–5.30pm
Register online: uofglasgow.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Dr Yu Sun (Uni of Glasgow)
Rating villagers’ morality via data scoring systems: everyday surveillance and techno-moral governance in rural China
Wed 24 Sept, 4–5.30pm
Register online: uofglasgow.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: SCCR Seminar 24 September 2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Speaker: Yu Sun, Lecturer in Sociology, University of Glasgow
uofglasgow.zoom.us
September 20, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Scottish Centre for China Studies autumn seminar series starts next week
Dr Yu Sun (Uni of Glasgow)
Rating villagers’ morality via data scoring systems: everyday surveillance and techno-moral governance in rural China
Wed 24 Sept, 4–5.30pm
Register online: uofglasgow.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Dr Yu Sun (Uni of Glasgow)
Rating villagers’ morality via data scoring systems: everyday surveillance and techno-moral governance in rural China
Wed 24 Sept, 4–5.30pm
Register online: uofglasgow.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Christian Straube
🌍 The #AU is calling for a new world #map that shows Africa’s real size 👉 #CorrectTheMap campaign.
Ahead of the #EUAU summit, @karolineeickhoff.bsky.social explains how maps shape our view of the world and urges the European side to review its use of visualizations.
📃 t1p.de/6wka6
Ahead of the #EUAU summit, @karolineeickhoff.bsky.social explains how maps shape our view of the world and urges the European side to review its use of visualizations.
📃 t1p.de/6wka6
Africa’s Place on the World Map
World maps are not neutral and marginalize Africa, says the “Correct the Map” campaign. The European side should therefore review its map...
www.megatrends-afrika.de
September 18, 2025 at 11:49 AM
🌍 The #AU is calling for a new world #map that shows Africa’s real size 👉 #CorrectTheMap campaign.
Ahead of the #EUAU summit, @karolineeickhoff.bsky.social explains how maps shape our view of the world and urges the European side to review its use of visualizations.
📃 t1p.de/6wka6
Ahead of the #EUAU summit, @karolineeickhoff.bsky.social explains how maps shape our view of the world and urges the European side to review its use of visualizations.
📃 t1p.de/6wka6
Reposted by Christian Straube
A new book by political economist Pascale Massot examines how China is heavily import-dependent for many raw metals and minerals despite its market size and power. Author Paul French asked her all about it:
“China’s Vulnerability Paradox” | ChinaFile
China’s appetite for critical minerals, fossil fuel, timber, and other commodities is the subject of countless news articles and has created anxiety in capital cities around the world. The dominant narrative is one of concern over Beijing’s dominance of global supply chains. Yet while the country clearly exhibits strengths as a commodity superpower, it also suffers from
www.chinafile.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A new book by political economist Pascale Massot examines how China is heavily import-dependent for many raw metals and minerals despite its market size and power. Author Paul French asked her all about it:
Reposted by Christian Straube
How should we think about China's military parade, the SCO Summit, and the diplomatic theater performed for the cameras by Xi, Modi, Putin, and Kim?
We asked Farwa Aamer, Katie Stallard, Tanvi Madan, Maria Repnikova, and Sun Chenghao:
We asked Farwa Aamer, Katie Stallard, Tanvi Madan, Maria Repnikova, and Sun Chenghao:
Is This a New World Order? | ChinaFile
From August 31 to September 1, China hosted twenty foreign leaders in Tianjin for a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the biggest meeting since the formation of the security group in 2002. Group photos of all the attendees and video and photos of Xi Jinping enjoying moments of bonhomie with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
www.chinafile.com
September 6, 2025 at 7:56 PM
How should we think about China's military parade, the SCO Summit, and the diplomatic theater performed for the cameras by Xi, Modi, Putin, and Kim?
We asked Farwa Aamer, Katie Stallard, Tanvi Madan, Maria Repnikova, and Sun Chenghao:
We asked Farwa Aamer, Katie Stallard, Tanvi Madan, Maria Repnikova, and Sun Chenghao:
Reposted by Christian Straube
The EU's strategic foresight report 2025 is out and it rings the bell for a "change in the global order"
"We're witnessing the erosion of the rules-based international order & fracturing of the global landscape... a return to the previous status quo seems increasingly unlikely"
"We're witnessing the erosion of the rules-based international order & fracturing of the global landscape... a return to the previous status quo seems increasingly unlikely"
September 9, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The EU's strategic foresight report 2025 is out and it rings the bell for a "change in the global order"
"We're witnessing the erosion of the rules-based international order & fracturing of the global landscape... a return to the previous status quo seems increasingly unlikely"
"We're witnessing the erosion of the rules-based international order & fracturing of the global landscape... a return to the previous status quo seems increasingly unlikely"
Reposted by Christian Straube
At the centre of this rivalry lies the small town of Kapiri Mposhi in central Zambia, a strategic hub where three competing corridors – China’s Tazara, the US-backed Lobito Corridor and Japan’s Nacala Corridor – converge.
September 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
At the centre of this rivalry lies the small town of Kapiri Mposhi in central Zambia, a strategic hub where three competing corridors – China’s Tazara, the US-backed Lobito Corridor and Japan’s Nacala Corridor – converge.
Reposted by Christian Straube
Normal corporate structure for the mining industry:
Chinese state-owned company owns a Cayman Islands holding company that owns an intermediary investment company in Cyprus that owns a holding company in South Africa that owns one small gold mine near Johannesburg.
Chinese state-owned company owns a Cayman Islands holding company that owns an intermediary investment company in Cyprus that owns a holding company in South Africa that owns one small gold mine near Johannesburg.
September 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Normal corporate structure for the mining industry:
Chinese state-owned company owns a Cayman Islands holding company that owns an intermediary investment company in Cyprus that owns a holding company in South Africa that owns one small gold mine near Johannesburg.
Chinese state-owned company owns a Cayman Islands holding company that owns an intermediary investment company in Cyprus that owns a holding company in South Africa that owns one small gold mine near Johannesburg.
‘Jingjing Zhang has fought polluting Chinese companies for decades. Now she’s teaching lawyers across the #GlobalSouth how to do the same. Her work has never been more urgent.’ - by @katiesurma.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2408202... #Zambia #Copperbelt
The Woman Holding Chinese Mining Giants Accountable - Inside Climate News
Jingjing Zhang has fought polluting Chinese companies for decades. Now she’s teaching lawyers across the Global South how to do the same. Her work has never been more urgent.
insideclimatenews.org
September 3, 2025 at 5:39 AM
‘Jingjing Zhang has fought polluting Chinese companies for decades. Now she’s teaching lawyers across the #GlobalSouth how to do the same. Her work has never been more urgent.’ - by @katiesurma.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2408202... #Zambia #Copperbelt
Reposted by Christian Straube
Super useful post from @berthofmanecon.bsky.social compiling SCO commitments - "The World Order without the US is gradually taking shape"
Lots of West-bashing in the text, including a few bits that may alarm European policymakers
berthofman.substack.com/p/tianjin-de...
Lots of West-bashing in the text, including a few bits that may alarm European policymakers
berthofman.substack.com/p/tianjin-de...
Tianjin Declaration
The World Order without the US is gradually taking shape.
berthofman.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Super useful post from @berthofmanecon.bsky.social compiling SCO commitments - "The World Order without the US is gradually taking shape"
Lots of West-bashing in the text, including a few bits that may alarm European policymakers
berthofman.substack.com/p/tianjin-de...
Lots of West-bashing in the text, including a few bits that may alarm European policymakers
berthofman.substack.com/p/tianjin-de...
Reposted by Christian Straube
A Chinese-owned mining company has been accused of covering up the extent of a disastrous toxic spill in Zambia that polluted a major river that millions rely on with cyanide and arsenic.
A Chinese mining company is accused of covering up the extent of a major toxic spill in Zambia
A Chinese-owned mining company has been accused of covering up the extent of a disastrous toxic spill in Zambia that polluted a major river that millions rely on with cyanide and arsenic.
bit.ly
September 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
A Chinese-owned mining company has been accused of covering up the extent of a disastrous toxic spill in Zambia that polluted a major river that millions rely on with cyanide and arsenic.
Reposted by Christian Straube
Hardship has long been praised in China as the road to virtue and success. Today’s youth are beginning to question this tradition, linking the pressures of school with the exploitation of labour and asking whether hardship should still be seen as a moral ideal. An essay by @humayun.bsky.social.
In Praise of Hardship, or the Labour-Schooling Poetics of Chinese Youth | Made in China Journal
In January 2025, I was chatting online with a few friends about the ongoing controversy surrounding the construction of a factory for Chinese carmaker BYD in Brazil, which had just come under scrutiny...
madeinchinajournal.com
August 27, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Hardship has long been praised in China as the road to virtue and success. Today’s youth are beginning to question this tradition, linking the pressures of school with the exploitation of labour and asking whether hardship should still be seen as a moral ideal. An essay by @humayun.bsky.social.