John Hopkins

John Hopkins has lived and worked in China for over 20 years. He began his career in China teaching at the Guanghua Institute of Management at Beijing University in 2000 and has worked in management positions on Australian University Programmes and in British International Schools with a strong focus on working with the Chinese public and government sectors on developing educational and service projects. At the beginning of the Covid pandemic he enjoyed 15 minutes of fame with several million people viewing online interviews and articles about his work as a volunteer interpreter explaining quarantine requirements to newly arrived and returning expats. Since then, he has happily returned to relative obscurity allowing him time to pursue his interests in traditional Chinese culture and linguistics.

Recent articles by John Hopkins

Confucianism, not coercion – China’s long export of a governance philosophy

Confucianism, not coercion – China’s long export of a governance philosophy

Claims that China is exporting authoritarianism rest on a shallow reading of both Chinese political tradition and how governance ideas actually travel. A longer historical view points instead to Confucianism – a philosophy that has shaped governance across East Asia for centuries.

China’s challenge is explaining why it succeeded

China’s challenge is explaining why it succeeded

china,  politics,  usa,  world

Western commentary often dwells on China’s problems while overlooking the cultural and historical foundations of its extraordinary achievements. Understanding both is essential to informed judgement.

The cultural and linguistic roots of protest in China

The cultural and linguistic roots of protest in China

In 1760, the newly established Qing Dynasty was looking to expand Chinese territory by claiming the region of Xinjiang. Many Chinese intellectuals and scholars opposed this.

Understanding China – According to its own history and culture

Understanding China – According to its own history and culture

In order to understand what is happening in China now and predict what may happen over the following years we must draw on Chinese history and philosophy to guide us. Relying on the western experience to guide our thinking about China may be more comforting and accessible but it leaves us in a very poor position when considering the world’s newest and oldest superpower.

Paul Keating, Confucius and the CCP – understanding China

Paul Keating, Confucius and the CCP – understanding China

Misunderstanding China has a long and distinguished history. Much of that misunderstanding has been generated by western media going right back to the Qing dynasty.