What this is

Pieces of China gives business-focused observations on China's economy, its markets and its professional culture. It is written by Didier Denayer, Economic and Commercial Counsellor for AWEX, the Walloon export and investment agency, at the Belgian Embassy in China. The pieces translate what can be seen on the ground, in factories, offices, fairs and meetings, into information a decision-maker in Europe can use.

For whom

Belgian and European professionals operating in or with China, and Chinese counterparts looking for an objective analysis from a Western perspective.

The rule

A piece describes. It gives what exists, how it works, and what the figures say. It does not lecture, it does not admire and it does not indict. The author gives his opinion once, at the end of each piece, in a closing line that always starts the same way: "My Piece of Advice". It is advice, offered as such, not a verdict.

Three levels

Six LinkedIn posts a week, Monday to Saturday, short and precise. One blog post every Sunday, here, longer and sourced: the reference of the week, which the daily posts point to. One newsletter a month, by email, which reads the month as a whole.

What is avoided

Expert posturing, condescending explanations, uncritical praise or criticism of China, and generic business platitudes. Sources are named without turning the text into a paper.

Write to me

Reactions, corrections and questions are welcome on LinkedIn, under each post, or at didier@piecesofchina.com.