Beyond 'Made in China'? —?Reflections from a Two-Week Journey in China

Hi there! ?? Over the past two weeks, I traveled through China, visiting three cities: Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing. Each city offered a distinct experience, showcasing different aspects of the country. During the trip, we visited universities, companies, startup incubators, think tanks, and, of course, we made time for some sightseeing.

This trip was organized by Huawei Deutschland as part of the Digital Seeds program. Naturally, my experiences were shaped by this context and are far from comprehensive. The trip provided just a glimpse into this vast country, and considering how different these three cities were from one another, it’s clear that even greater diversity exists beyond them. Still, the journey was an effort to move beyond common stereotypes and explore a culture that is still unfamiliar to many of us—including me.

To prepare for the trip, I read Pascal Coppens ' books China’s New Normal and Can We Trust China?, which presented a very different perspective on China than what we often hear in Western media. The books argued that China is rapidly innovating, and may soon be leading the West in terms of technological progress. Armed with this knowledge, I was eager to form my own first impressions of the country.

I must admit, I was a bit nervous before the trip. I wasn’t sure what to expect. How strict would the security be? (strict) Would it feel safe? (more than ever before) Would everything be as hyper-technological as people say? (not really) Would there be enough vegetarian food? (most of the times) How many of my preconceptions would be confirmed, and how many challenged? (all of them and also none of them) Would the weather be unbearably hot? (only in Shenzhen) Oh, and would my plugs work? (yes, they did!)

Rather than giving a chronological account of my trip, I’ve decided to break it down into four categories:

1. Travel and Exploration
2. Cultural Comparisons and Stereotypes
3. Work Culture and Education
4. Personal Reflections and Growth

Let’s get started!

1. Travel and Exploration        

Shenzhen

We flew overnight from Frankfurt to Hong Kong and then took a bus to Shenzhen, our first stop. On the way, we passed many residential blocks, some of which were quite run-down. Many of the buildings were replicated twenty or more times in a row.

Shenzhen, on the other hand, reminded me a lot of Miami, Florida. The weather was hot and humid, with palm trees and skyscrapers, and it’s located near the sea. I was surprised to see so much nature and so many people walking on foot in the city. Overall, Shenzhen felt less different from European and American cities than I had expected; in fact, I didn't experience any culture shock at all in the beginning. The biggest difference by far was the street signs in Chinese characters.

Our hotel was located right next to the Ping An Tower, which is the second tallest building in China and the fifth tallest in the world, standing at 599 meters. There was also a beautiful mall nearby, where we had dinner on our first night. Interestingly, dining in malls seems to be considered quite upscale in China compared to Europe or the US. I was honestly surprised by how livable and vibrant the city felt, and I could easily imagine living there for a couple of months.

Shenzhen’s story is incredible. With over 20 million people, it’s one of the densest cities in China, and the metropolitan area has a population close to 80 million—approximately the same as Germany! A phrase we often heard during our stay was, "The city isn’t finished yet." Indeed, much of downtown was still under construction. Even more astonishing, Shenzhen was just a small fishing village in the 1980s. The city’s name literally means “deep river,” and in just four decades, it has transformed into one of the most modern cities in the world.

Though I really liked Shenzhen, it sometimes felt strangely empty, which was contrary to our expectations. It became clear that Shenzhen is more of a place where people come to work than to relax or enjoy leisure time. We were also there during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so many people had probably left to return to their hometowns—which likely weren't Shenzhen.

Shanghai

Shanghai was our next destination, and it immediately felt like a more established city, where people live full, everyday lives. Before visiting, I had assumed Chinese cities would be plagued by smog and poor air quality, but during our entire trip, I didn't notice this at all. In fact, Shanghai was filled with electric vehicles, which the local government strongly encourages with incentives like "green plates" (which are a fraction of the cost of a Shanghai plate).

When you think of Shanghai, its iconic skyline probably comes to mind. Indeed, the view was definitely one of the most impressive things I have seen in the past couple of years, though it's a bit colorful for my European taste (and definitely ideal for someone prone to epilepsy)!

However, Shanghai offers much more than just its skyline. Many parts of the city have a distinctly European feel, which isn’t surprising given its history of foreign concessions, particularly those of France and the UK.

Beijing

Beijing, the final stop of our two-week journey, felt very different from the other cities. It stood out most for its rich cultural history, with famous sites like the Summer Palace, the Hutongs, and the Forbidden City. We also attended an acrobatics show, which I really enjoyed. China is known as the top country in the world for acrobatics, and it’s something they take great pride in.

With over 22 million residents, Beijing is the most populous national capital in the world and China's second-largest city after Shanghai. You quickly realize the scale when trying to get around—almost every trip took at least an hour by bus, no matter where we were headed.

The absolute highlight of the entire trip, though, was visiting the Great Wall. It’s one of the most awe-inspiring sights I’ve ever seen. On the day we visited, the weather was foggy and mystical, and in the evening, the lights came on. It was simply breathtaking.

2. Cultural Comparison and Stereotypes        

One thing that stood out during our trip was the cultural differences and similarities between Germany (or the Western world in general) and China. Overall, I found that these differences were often much less pronounced than I had anticipated, though they certainly existed.

Stereotypes often contain a kernel of truth, albeit a small one. During our visit to 深圳技术大学 , we saw some stereotypes hold true (e.g., students playing badminton, ping pong, and the piano), while others differed (e.g., the work culture among undergraduates seemed more relaxed than expected).

In day-to-day life, I observed that many Chinese people were extremely friendly towards us foreigners, despite the language barrier. From the moment we arrived at immigration, people were in good spirits. Many Chinese students had a great sense of humor, and one of the more absurd situations occurred when our flight from Shenzhen to Shanghai was delayed by six hours, and we had to stop in Hangzhou for two hours due to a typhoon. When the announcement was made, many Chinese passengers laughed about it. I believe it wasn’t out of pure joy at arriving home in the middle of the night but rather a way to cope with the situation. They didn’t show visible frustration or complain, as I’ve often seen with Germans and Deutsche Bahn.

Another very noticeable observation was the high number of security cameras at the border and throughout the country. At immigration alone, I counted over a hundred cameras from all directions. China also has a memorable hotline (12345) for complaints, which—from what we’ve heard—has significant consequences for reported issues.

Despite this heavy surveillance, Chinese people are not perfect, which made them feel more relatable. For example, jaywalking was common, and while public toilets were cleaner than in Europe, they were not as pristine as one might expect. From my perspective, it seems Chinese people have found a balanced approach to following rules and expressing themselves on many topics.

This topic presents a dilemma between security and freedom. On one hand, the extensive security measures at airports and the number of cameras in cities were surprising and sometimes a bit alienating. On the other hand, I felt exceptionally safe in China, especially in its large cities. While China’s approach may lean more toward security compared to the Western world, it’s intriguing why Chinese people accept this level of surveillance, whereas many in our group felt it wouldn’t be acceptable in Germany. One explanation might be that the Chinese population sees the tangible benefits of government actions (e.g., Shenzhen’s transformation from a fishing village).

How is Germany perceived in China?

Regarding German perceptions in China, we frequently heard that Germany is associated with high quality and cars. An anecdote often shared was about a Chinese city with a canalization system built by Germans that still operates perfectly, with replacement parts still available in Germany. The image of "Made in Germany" was generally very positive, which surprised me. In the US, Germany often doesn’t receive much attention, but in China, there seemed to be genuine admiration for the country.

Many Chinese people also see a connection between Germany and China in terms of hard work and technical proficiency. In contrast, France is stereotypically perceived as more romantic but also somewhat lazy, with frequent strikes. (Germans are often viewed as inflexible and rigid, which, well, may be true.)

A notable difference between Chinese and German approaches is the focus on "good enough" versus striving for excellence. For example, 深圳技术大学 was built in just 1,034 days, and this achievement was a source of pride for the students and teachers at the university. From a German perspective, though, I wondered if spending an additional 500 days could have improved the outcome. However, for the Chinese, the completion of the project was what mattered most.

It was also interesting to learn how Chinese people view their own country. For instance, one student compared Chinese people to peaches (soft on the outside, hard on the inside) rather than coconuts (hard on the outside, soft on the inside). I would have expected the opposite. (He also thought Germans were more like coconuts, which aligns with my own perception as well.)

Finally, in Beijing, I spoke with a Dartmouth graduate who felt that freedom of speech is more restricted in the US compared to China. She believed that in the US, one must be cautious about what is said and politically correct, whereas in China, people can speak more freely. (Although that doesn’t seem entirely accurate to me, as certain topics like the government and Communist Party are very sensitive in China and are not addressed in day-to-day life. But apart from that, she was right that Chinese people talked about almost anything in the way they wanted to.)

The Important Topic of Food

As a vegetarian, food was a major topic during our trip. Overall, the vegetarian options we found were fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. However, finding vegetarian food was often a bigger challenge because many Chinese people haven't fully understood the concept of vegetarianism yet. Occasionally, vegetarian dishes were mistakenly mixed with non-vegetarian items, such as putting veggie noodles into fish soup. On domestic flights within China, vegetarian options were not available at all. At other times, it seemed as if many people thought that chicken was vegetarian. On the plus side, Chinese dining culture, which often involves sharing multiple dishes, made it easier for vegetarians.

While many Germans in our group enjoyed the meat and fish, some complained about having to eat meat three times a day. This experience was a bit reminiscent of German food culture after World War II.

Others struggled with the spiciness of Sichuan cuisine, which can be overwhelmingly hot. There’s a Chinese word for this type of spice that doesn’t translate easily into German or English, but "numbing" might come close. (It's 80% chili and 20% food.)

One particularly absurd experience (which I haven’t experienced myself) was arriving in Shanghai at 4 a.m. due to a delayed flight caused by a typhoon. Despite the early hour, some in our group went to a 24/7 hotpot restaurant; rather than the restaurant being empty, it was quite the opposite—fully packed.

Nonetheless, and perhaps most importantly to share here in this newsletter, I simply love hotpot and boba tea. They are the best things in the world.

Short Stories

Of course, we had some amusing experiences during our time in China—funny because they were quite different from what we usually encounter in our everyday lives.

• When we arrived in Hong Kong and took a bus to Shenzhen, we had two buses, but only enough people to fill one. However, the bus driver placed one (and only one) single suitcase in the second bus, so that the driver of that bus could join the trip instead of staying behind in Hong Kong.
• The first thing our tour guide in Shenzhen told us was that her last name was Lee, which she explained is a common surname in China. The reason for that, according to her, is that many decades ago, women with the surname Lee were allowed to wear more revealing clothing, which led to a large number of descendants.
• We took a boat trip from Shenzhen to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the longest sea crossing in the world at 55 km (34 miles). As we sailed under the bridge, the Chinese passengers went wild with excitement, creating a festive atmosphere all around us.
• Throughout the trip, many locals wanted to take photos with me and others from our group, especially at popular tourist spots frequented by Chinese people from more rural areas. (For a couple seconds or so, it gave all of us a little ego boost every time.) In Shanghai, a friend was taking a picture of me in front of the skyline, when a woman gradually inched closer until we realized she wanted to take a picture with me instead of the skyline.
• We also noticed many people with jobs that seemed unnecessary. For instance, traffic directors were stationed on the streets, even though the traffic lights were working fine. In public restrooms, there were attendants who emptied the trash every time someone used it, and in one restaurant, someone handed out towels to each person after they washed their hands.
• Chinese people seemed more superstitious than what we’re used to. For example, phone numbers with lots of 8s were considered lucky and impressive.
• Familiar U.S. brands like Starbucks and McDonald's were everywhere—even at the Great Wall. We also heard that there used to be a Starbucks in the Forbidden City, but it was removed after one of the first online campaigns in China protested against it.
• People in China appeared much more polite and indirect compared to Westerners. For example, in one place where photos were prohibited, the guide simply said, "I have a couple of tips for you, like not taking any photos." In another instance, at a restaurant, we were asked if we were sure we wanted vegetarian dumplings, only to find out later they didn’t have any in the first place but didn’t want to tell us directly.
• Finally, there were certain topics that people simply didn’t discuss or question. Whenever we asked about Chinese politics, we were met with silence. One student we spoke with mentioned that Shanghai had removed all its homeless people, but he had no idea where they went or what had happened to them (nor had he ever thought about it). At an e-commerce company we visited, their biggest clients were KFC and Budweiser, and they didn’t seem to have any concerns about encouraging impulse buys among young people on their platforms.

3. Work Culture and Education        

When we flew to China two weeks ago, I felt a bit burned out. Leading up to the trip, all I had done was work, work, work. In general, the work culture in the U.S. is intense and high-pressure. But whenever I return to Germany, I’m always struck by how much slower things feel in comparison.

One thing I’ve always admired about the U.S., though, is the sense that everyone wants to make a difference in the world. Sometimes it may feel like an illusion, but the ambition still matters.

China, however, felt different. There, it often seemed that building a career and making money took priority over finding meaning or passion in work. At 深圳技术大学 , a student told me that while some people talk about loving their work, ultimately, everyone wants to make money. In contrast, a founder we met in Shanghai said he didn’t care about money because in China, anyone can live well without having a lot. His focus was on creating a "good product," though interestingly, he was the only one with a mattress in his office.

Stability was highly valued among Chinese students, who often saw it as the most important factor in their careers, at least in our conversations. Many preferred to first gain experience at a company before even considering launching a startup.

One thing that surprised me was the attitude toward "copying" ideas. For example, a founder in Beijing proudly told us she was essentially doing the same thing as the "Too Good To Go" app, but for China. While this seemed common, China is clearly working hard to shed the "Made in China" label and position itself as an innovator.

This shift can already be seen in various ways. For instance, NIO蔚来 , an electric car company, has developed a battery-swap system that can replace a battery in just three minutes, allowing another 400-500 km of driving. In Shenzhen, we had smoothies and food delivered by drones, which we ordered through an app. The 滴滴 app (China’s version of Uber) showed us exactly how many seconds the driver was stopped at traffic lights and how many traffic lights they had left before picking us up. And the cars themselves were far more comfort-oriented, with massage seats in the back being a personal highlight for me.

So how is China managing to innovate at this pace? There may be at least three reasons:

1. First, Chinese companies often pride themselves on taking a customer-centric and market-driven approach. Unlike German companies (and maybe US companies), which tend to develop products first and then look for a market, Chinese firms focus on customer needs right from the start.
2. Second, China has been able to "leapfrog" certain technologies. For instance, while Germany still uses outdated technology like landlines (just because they exist, not because anybody needs them), China often skips these steps entirely, embracing more advanced systems from the outset.
3. Third, it seems Chinese workers put in much longer hours. We noticed a lot of nighttime construction in all three cities we visited, and I can't help but wonder how much of China's rapid progress can be attributed simply to the sheer volume of work being done.

The biggest difference I noticed in terms of work culture was the overall outlook on the future between China and Europe. In Germany, there’s a prevailing sense of pessimism. People seem convinced the economy is struggling and things will only get worse in the coming years. In contrast, the Chinese were much more optimistic, believing that the next generation will be better off than the current one.

Lastly, it struck me how Germans seem to have lost a sense of national pride—if they ever had it in recent decades. For example, when a Chinese student at 同济大学 asked us about our favorite car brand, one German student answered, “Tesla.” The Chinese student then enthusiastically talked about BMW and Porsche and why he loved these German brands.

Education

During our trip, we visited three universities: 深圳技术大学 in Shenzhen, 同济大学 in Shanghai, and 清华大学 in Beijing, often referred to as “the Harvard of China.” While all the campuses were nice, Tsinghua’s campus stood out for its incredible beauty.

Many students made an effort to speak German with us, despite some having only studied the language for a year. However, most were more proficient in English, which wasn’t as common among the general population, even in the major cities.

Overall, the students felt very similar to those in Germany. We often discussed similar topics, and they too faced technical issues with their presentations, like PowerPoint problems. They also used platforms like gutefrage.net to look up German grammar questions.

One fascinating aspect of the Chinese education system we learned about is the "gaokao" exam, which is mandatory for all students. This exam largely determines which university you can attend and what subject you can study, essentially shaping your future. As a result, many students have to make trade-offs between attending a prestigious university and studying their desired subject. For instance, one might have the option to study computer science at a top 20 university or literature at China’s best university, Tsinghua. Many students seem to prioritize the university over the particular major.

Even among engineering students, many were still undecided about their specific major, starting with foundational subjects like mathematics and physics before determining their path. In this sense, the Chinese model is more similar to the U.S. system, where students have some flexibility in choosing their major, unlike in Germany, where the decision must be made before starting university.

When we asked about their plans to study abroad, most expressed a desire to attend top universities in the U.S. or the U.K., though they acknowledged that this would be difficult—only the best students, even at Tsinghua, have a real chance to pursue this path. Only few considered studying abroad in places outside the U.S. or U.K.

Some Characteristics and Mantras

• “Actions speak louder than words” (a motto at Tsinghua)
• Agility is highly valued, with a common saying in Chinese companies: “Cross the river by feeling for stones.”
• Not everything in China is dictated from the top down; many discussions precede decisions. However, once a decision is made, it’s executed with full commitment.
• Criticism is welcomed in Chinese companies, but only if accompanied by constructive suggestions for improvement.
• We frequently heard phrases like “Nothing is impossible.”
• In China, politics always take precedence over business.
• Finally, remote work is generally not accepted in China.

4. Personal Reflection and Growth        

China is a fascinating country, with its mix of positives and negatives, much like any other country. I found Shanghai, in particular, to be a city where I could easily imagine living for a few months—provided I could find enough vegetarian restaurants! ?? And yet, by the end of my journey, I was also relieved to leave again without any major issues.

Beyond the cultural experiences, this two-week trip had a profound personal impact on me. A Tai Chi master we practiced with responded to my question about the ultimate goal in life by saying, “It’s about not doubting yourself, and finding yourself.” Being outside of my comfort zone allowed me to reflect on my own passions and consider what truly matters to me—what am I willing to invest my energy, motivation, and time in over the next few years?

One famous Chinese saying we heard was, “You can only endure hardship before attaining higher skill.” While this might sound harsh, I believe many of us in the West (very stereotypical now) have become a bit too complacent. For example, in Germany, education is (almost) free, which is a great privilege and something the country can and should be proud of. Yet, many of my university peers have exploited this, myself included at times, showing little motivation to genuinely learn. Instead, they focus on passing multiple-choice exams as efficiently as possible.

In contrast, the Chinese students we spoke with had a very different mindset. Whether their goal was to change the world or simply provide for their families, they were driven and ambitious. One entrepreneur we met advised us that the most important thing is to “put your skin in the game.”

From this trip, I walked away with three key passions that I had never thought about as clearly before, and they’ve become my goals for the near future:

1. Communicating science: Few people in our travel group actively engage with science, and that’s not their fault. Why would anyone outside academia voluntarily read a research paper? Yet, in my opinion, science is essential for progress. The problem arises when there’s a disconnect between researchers and the people who can apply these findings in real life. I believe it’s crucial to bridge that gap.
2. Connecting people: More than ever, it’s important to connect with others, especially through experiences like this trip. Our travel group was amazing, and the things I learned from them are beyond words. My favorite quote from the entire journey came from a German expat in China who said, “We’re surprisingly disconnected from each other for how connected we are.” It reminded me of one of my all-time favorite quotes from Tim Cook: “If you're looking at your phone more than you're looking in someone's eyes, you're doing the wrong thing.”
3. Enabling others: I’m passionate about studying the role of passion in work, with the aim of helping people avoid burnout while pursuing their passions. I want to enable others to make a positive impact in the world. I also feel the need to bring optimism back to Germany, my home country, to which I had become somewhat disconnected before this trip. While living abroad where the "action" seems to be happening may be the easier path, perhaps as a German, it’s also my responsibility to bring some of that "action" back home, where it’s sorely needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read my ninth newsletter! If you would like to explore more of my ideas and thoughts, here is a summary of my posts and podcast episodes from this September:

New LinkedIn posts:

Re-fueling passion on Labor Day +++ My second year as a PhD student +++ New paper on promoting psychological detachment at work +++ The green roofs at HBS +++ Launching ticket shop for GAC 2024 +++ Going to China +++ Digital Ethics Summit 2024 +++ Shanghai feels just like home +++ Joining a class in Boston from Beijing +++ Global Shaper Hub Beijing

New podcast episodes:

Special Olympics +++ An Introduction to Emotional Labor

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