[Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CASPA.]
Dear CASPA Members,
I wanted to take a moment to share two recent episodes of A Bit Personal with Jodi that I believe may be of particular interest to this community.
The most recent episodes feature conversations with Zak Dykewald and Leo Li—two individuals who, from very different vantage points, offer deeply human perspectives on China that resist simplification and invite reflection.
In my conversation with Zak Dykewald, we explored his views on China through a people-first lens—one that prioritizes understanding lived experience, social dynamics, and cultural context alongside policy and geopolitics. Zak challenges us to move beyond abstraction and rhetoric and instead consider how global narratives shape (and sometimes distort) how we see one another.
The following episode features Leo Li, former CEO of Spreadtrum, who shares his extraordinary personal journey—from growing up on a farm during the Cultural Revolution to becoming a global leader in the semiconductor industry. Leo’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience, complexity, and ambition that have shaped China’s modern technological rise, and of the individuals whose lives span vastly different eras of Chinese history.
Together, these conversations are not about advocacy or ideology, but about curiosity, nuance, and empathy. At a time when discussions about China are often polarized, I hope these episodes offer space for listening, reflection, and a more human understanding of the forces—and people—shaping our shared future.
Thank you, as always, for the work CASPA does to foster informed, thoughtful dialogue. I hope you find these conversations as meaningful as I did.
Warm regards,
Jodi Shelton
President of GSA