Alec Ash (@alecash) / X

Alec Ash

6,420 posts

Alec Ash

@alecash

Writer and editor focused on China. Editor, ChinaBooksReview.com. Senior fellow, Asia Society. Author, ‘Wish Lanterns’ and ‘The Mountains Are High’

New York, NY

Joined January 2011

Pinned
Alec Ash
@alecash
Nov 25, 2024
Thrilled to make it onto NPR's list of their best books of 2024. "In this beautifully written book, Ash introduces us to [urban escapees in rural China]. They fittingly call Dali “Dalifornia,” for its chilled vibes, California-like good weather and picturesque mountains."
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Alec Ash
@alecash
Sep 7, 2019
Jay Rayner on Brexit, ht @JeremiahJenne
Alec Ash
@alecash
Nov 2, 2022
I wrote about the other half of China (out of lockdown cities) where zero-Covid policy is a small inconvenience that average Chinese are proud of. obv a complex/moving situation, but I think this is an important point that the coverage misses.
I lasted three years in China without taking a COVID test – The China Project
From thechinaproject.com
Alec Ash
@alecash
Nov 1, 2022
I first came to study in China in 2008, returned to work in 2012 and stayed for a decade – twelve years all told, the last three in Dali (my new book from there out next year). Yesterday I got on a plane to England, and not sure when I will next be back. The journey continues...
Alec Ash
@alecash
Oct 26, 2022
"In my future career, I will follow the general secretary's instructions ... to tell good China stories to the world." At age 14 fell in love with Zhang Ziyi; it may be time to let her go now.
Crouching Tiger Star Pledges to Follow Xi Jinping's Instructions to 'Tell China's Stories'
From cbr.com
Alec Ash
@alecash
Jun 18, 2022
Mosque with Chinese characteristics. A huge red banner outside reads 坚持伊斯兰教中国化方向 - “Persist in the Sinofication of Islam”. Security cameras and PRC flags everywhere. Not exactly subtle.
Alec Ash
@alecash
Oct 5, 2022
For all of the disgruntled in cities under lockdown, folk outside China don’t get how proud the majority of Chinese are of the zero-Covid policy (ie those not directly affected by its excesses). Huge nationalism around China keeping the virus out where Western nations didn’t.
Alec Ash
@alecash
Feb 15, 2023
God this screengrab – from the excellent China Diction newsletter – made me angry. Xining was the first city in China I knew well, back in 2007. I used to love going to the Dongguan mosque square for a slice of something different. Now it's Han-style pavilions and a red star flag
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Alec Ash
@alecash
Oct 5, 2023
So thrilled to share this with the world, just launched: the 'China Books Review', a new digital magazine I'm editing, featuring reviews, essays, lists, a podcast and much more. Follow @chinabksreview and sign up for our newsletter to not miss a beat!
China Books Review
From chinabooksreview.com
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Alec Ash
@alecash
Oct 22, 2022
Well, the Beijing Bookworm has changed vibe somewhat…
Alec Ash
@alecash
Nov 27, 2022
OK here’s a better video, from a friend, of that very Dali-style protest singing the 国际歌. Finally those guitar chops pay off!
00:00
Alec Ash
@alecash
Oct 15, 2021
Excellent piece. China can’t keep its borders semi-closed forever, and Covid is not going to disappear abroad. Restrictions say as much about China’s political direction as they do about its health policy. Difficult not to feel cabin fever here.
How long can China’s zero-covid policy last?
From economist.com
Alec Ash
@alecash
Oct 25, 2022
This one’s a bit more niche for the Beijing old timers, but I give you the reincarnation of… Sanlitun dirty bar street
Alec Ash
@alecash
Aug 1, 2023
Cover drop
China Books of The Year 📚
@NewChinaBooks
Aug 1, 2023
THE MOUNTAINS ARE HIGH What is it like to radically change your life? Meet the Chinese ditching fast-paced cities to seek respite in the rural southwest. A personal account of one year joining the ‘reverse migration’. February 2024 @alecash @scribepub scribepublications.co.uk/books-authors/…
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