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Yi Fuxian

Yi Fuxian

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Yi Fuxian, a senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, spear-headed the movement against China’s one-child policy and is the author of Big Country with an Empty Nest (China Development Press, 2013), which went from being banned in China to ranking first in China Publishing Today’s 100 Best Books of 2013 in China.

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  1. Yi Fuxian on China's decision-making, economic prospects, demographic crisis, and more
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    Yi Fuxian on China's decision-making, economic prospects, demographic crisis, and more

    Jan 28, 2025 Yi Fuxian warns that China's government and mainstream analysts are still underestimating the severity of the country's demographic crisis, identifies some of the gravest policy mistakes Donald Trump's administration is at risk of making vis-a-vis China, explains why China’s middle class will never be strong enough to bring about a democratic transition, and more.

  2. Could Trump’s Tariffs Help Democratize China?
    yi17_Kevin FrayerGetty Images_chinaworker Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

    Could Trump’s Tariffs Help Democratize China?

    Jan 8, 2025 Yi Fuxian thinks that China will have to shift its focus from running trade surpluses to strengthening the middle class.

  3. China’s Pension Crisis Is Here
    yi16_Photo by STRAFP via Getty Images_aging Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

    China’s Pension Crisis Is Here

    Oct 16, 2024 Yi Fuxian argues that the country’s efforts to mitigate the effects of rapid demographic aging are too little, too late.

  4. China Shuts Down Its International-Adoption Machine
    yi15_Kevin FrayerGetty Images_chinababy Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

    China Shuts Down Its International-Adoption Machine

    Sep 13, 2024 Yi Fuxian welcomes the government's apparent recognition that a severe demographic crisis looms.

  5. The Rise and Coming Fall of Chinese Manufacturing
    yi14_STRAFP via Getty Images_chinamanufacturing STR/AFP via Getty Images

    The Rise and Coming Fall of Chinese Manufacturing

    Aug 28, 2024 Yi Fuxian identifies four factors that will cripple a sector that long propelled the economy's growth and development.

  1. benami222_Dia ImagesGettyImages_al-sharaa_erdogan Dia Images/Getty Images

    The Fight for Syria

    Shlomo Ben-Ami worries that Israel and Turkey, with their clashing ambitions, could undermine the country’s stability.
  2. wei68_EITAN ABRAMOVICHAFP via Getty Image_mercosureudeal Eitan Abramovich/AFP via Getty Images

    How to Counter Trump's Tariffs Productively?

    Shang-Jin Wei proposes steps that allies and rivals alike can take to mitigate the effects of American trade policies.
  3. ghosh85_NOAH SEELAMAFP via Getty Images_indiaaadhaar Noah Seelam/AFP via Getty Images

    Weaponizing Data Against Democracy

    Jayati Ghosh explains why and how authoritarian leaders like Narendra Modi hide or manipulate official figures.
  4. james227_Central PressGettyImages_neville_chamberlain_munich_pact Central Press/Getty Images

    Alternatives to Trump’s Russia Appeasement

    Harold James explains how France and Britain can guarantee Ukraine’s security now that America has effectively surrendered.
  5. op_malmendier1_ INA FASSBENDERAFP via Getty Images_germanyrailway Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images

    Germany at a Crossroads

    Ulrike Malmendier, et al.

    Despite its ongoing economic stagnation and aging population, Germany’s outlook is far from hopeless. But to restore its growth momentum, it must embrace the realities of the twenty-first century, invest in high-potential emerging sectors, and adapt to an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.

    urge policymakers to pursue bold structural reforms, rather than clinging to an outdated growth model.
  6. cnobre2_CARL DE SOUZAAFP via Getty Images_amazonfire Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images

    The Amazon’s Future Will Be Decided in 2025

    Carlos Nobre & Marielos Peña-Claros warn that the world's largest rainforest is reaching a tipping point, beyond which it will largely disappear.
  7. zizek42_Andrej IsakovicGettyImages_serbia_student_protests Andrej Isakovic/Getty Images

    The New Face of Protest

    Slavoj Žižek contrasts the pioneering mass student demonstrations in Serbia with widespread private resignation in China.
  8. lee54_Ed JonesGettyImages_korea_elderly_worker Ed Jones/Getty Images

    Reaping Asia’s Silver Demographic Dividend

    Lee Jong-Wha urges governments to develop integrated policies that encourage older adults to stay in the workforce.
  9. ekue1_Peter DazeleyGettyImages_green_jar_coins Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

    Getting Green Investment Where It’s Needed Most

    Serge Ekué & Javier Díaz Fajardo propose a strategy to redirect all financial flows toward the climate transition.

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