James M Zimmerman
@jmzbeijing.bsky.social
Beijing-based author, lawyer, and political commentator; and former four term chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.
http://ThePekingExpress.com
http://ThePekingExpress.com
Personal history: On 9-11-2001, I put up a US flag at my home in Beijing (189 Dragon Villas). Most Chinese were sympathetic/supportive. Here, the community guards are showing their solidarity with my daughters. This wouldn’t happen today as both sides have squandered their political capital.
September 11, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Personal history: On 9-11-2001, I put up a US flag at my home in Beijing (189 Dragon Villas). Most Chinese were sympathetic/supportive. Here, the community guards are showing their solidarity with my daughters. This wouldn’t happen today as both sides have squandered their political capital.
Reposted by James M Zimmerman
If you're in need of a book that succinctly and clearly explains China's gaokao to a non-specialist reader, THE HIGHEST EXAM: HOW THE GAOKAO SHAPES CHINA, by Ruixue Jia and Hongbin Li with Claire Cousineau, is the answer.
My WSJ review: www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
My WSJ review: www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
September 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
If you're in need of a book that succinctly and clearly explains China's gaokao to a non-specialist reader, THE HIGHEST EXAM: HOW THE GAOKAO SHAPES CHINA, by Ruixue Jia and Hongbin Li with Claire Cousineau, is the answer.
My WSJ review: www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
My WSJ review: www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Reposted by James M Zimmerman
Always glad to have Maura’s insights on new China books! She has the writing chops and the China experience to know what makes a book good
If you're in need of a book that succinctly and clearly explains China's gaokao to a non-specialist reader, THE HIGHEST EXAM: HOW THE GAOKAO SHAPES CHINA, by Ruixue Jia and Hongbin Li with Claire Cousineau, is the answer.
My WSJ review: www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
My WSJ review: www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
September 7, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Always glad to have Maura’s insights on new China books! She has the writing chops and the China experience to know what makes a book good
I am super excited for the upcoming release of the Japanese language edition of The Peking Express. Once out, I am looking forward to a road trip to Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities in Japan to chat with old and new friends about China's great train robbery of 1923. Details soon. Here is the cover:
September 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I am super excited for the upcoming release of the Japanese language edition of The Peking Express. Once out, I am looking forward to a road trip to Tokyo, Osaka, and other cities in Japan to chat with old and new friends about China's great train robbery of 1923. Details soon. Here is the cover:
I am excited to meet old and new friends in the South Florida area on September 28th. Join me at the legendary Books & Books Coral Gables for a talk about China's great train robbery of 1923 and a host of other China-related issues.
shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-0...
shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-0...
September 4, 2025 at 9:49 AM
I am excited to meet old and new friends in the South Florida area on September 28th. Join me at the legendary Books & Books Coral Gables for a talk about China's great train robbery of 1923 and a host of other China-related issues.
shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-0...
shop.booksandbooks.com/event/2025-0...
As military parades go, the 50th anniversary parade in 1999 was one I will never forget. This was Jiang Zemin's big day and the first parade since 1984 (as the 40th parade in 1989 was cancelled for reasons we all know). Lots of clunky, noisy stuff on the streets and in the skies. Times have changed.
September 3, 2025 at 4:50 AM
As military parades go, the 50th anniversary parade in 1999 was one I will never forget. This was Jiang Zemin's big day and the first parade since 1984 (as the 40th parade in 1989 was cancelled for reasons we all know). Lots of clunky, noisy stuff on the streets and in the skies. Times have changed.
My favorite parade photo of the day. Even the little guy loves a good parade. (Taken by me while watching a mini-parade of departing tanks rolling through Sanlitun after the big parade was over.)
September 3, 2025 at 4:06 AM
My favorite parade photo of the day. Even the little guy loves a good parade. (Taken by me while watching a mini-parade of departing tanks rolling through Sanlitun after the big parade was over.)
I am excited for my book talk at the fabulous JF Books in WDC on 9/25, along with pal Phelim Kine of Politico. We'll be talking about China's great train robbery of 1923 (The Peking Express), and lots more about contemporary bandits, hostage diplomacy, and more. Join us!
jfbooks.org/pages/event-...
jfbooks.org/pages/event-...
季風人文講壇9月份活動通知
九月的季風人文講壇，帶我們走進一場跨越中國與世界的時代對話。六場活動，從地緣政治到科技競爭，從自我審查的隱形壓力到香港法治的危機，再到戰火與土匪劫持的歷史記憶，皆折射出權力與自由的角力。我們邀請經濟政治學者、教授、記者與律師，分享他們的研究、著作與親身經驗，探問國家與個體、科技與社會、記憶與現實之間的縫隙。這些對話，不僅是知識的交流，更是一次次對未來的思考。
jfbooks.org
September 2, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I am excited for my book talk at the fabulous JF Books in WDC on 9/25, along with pal Phelim Kine of Politico. We'll be talking about China's great train robbery of 1923 (The Peking Express), and lots more about contemporary bandits, hostage diplomacy, and more. Join us!
jfbooks.org/pages/event-...
jfbooks.org/pages/event-...
Reposted by James M Zimmerman
#sinology A must watch! James Zimmerman @jmzbeijing.bsky.social on the development of the legal system in China! #law
“You can’t have crimes unless you have laws.”
Our latest episode of Living History is featuring the one and only James Zimmerman @jmzbeijing.bsky.social.
We spoke about the development of the current legal system in China and the influence foreign lawyers had on it.
youtu.be/TAkx_XRDuaw
Our latest episode of Living History is featuring the one and only James Zimmerman @jmzbeijing.bsky.social.
We spoke about the development of the current legal system in China and the influence foreign lawyers had on it.
youtu.be/TAkx_XRDuaw
James Zimmerman | How foreign lawyers helped draft China's laws
YouTube video by Living History: Stories from the Opening of China
youtu.be
July 3, 2025 at 10:27 AM
#sinology A must watch! James Zimmerman @jmzbeijing.bsky.social on the development of the legal system in China! #law
I finally got my hard-copy of long-time Beijinger Steven Schwankert's outstanding book, The Six: The Untold Story of the Titanic's Chinese Survivors. A fabulous read. Not to be missed.
June 18, 2025 at 3:44 AM
I finally got my hard-copy of long-time Beijinger Steven Schwankert's outstanding book, The Six: The Untold Story of the Titanic's Chinese Survivors. A fabulous read. Not to be missed.
I am delighted to meet old and new friends at the Keystone Academy in Beijing to talk about The Peking Express. Join us if you are in Beijing this coming Wednesday, April 16, 630pm.
April 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
I am delighted to meet old and new friends at the Keystone Academy in Beijing to talk about The Peking Express. Join us if you are in Beijing this coming Wednesday, April 16, 630pm.
I am very excited and honored to be moderating the talk by Tony Banham, the author of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival on Saturday, March 1. Join me at the HK Litfest. See link for tickets: www.eventbrite.hk/e/talk-the-s...
February 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I am very excited and honored to be moderating the talk by Tony Banham, the author of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival on Saturday, March 1. Join me at the HK Litfest. See link for tickets: www.eventbrite.hk/e/talk-the-s...
Reposted by James M Zimmerman
Australian jailed in China for four years claims embassy ignored his desperate calls for medical assistance during horror Beijing prison ordeal - a harrowing report from Cheng Lei, herself a former detainee
Australian jailed in Beijing for four years shares his harrowing ordeal
It was just after Christmas in 2019, and Australian Matthew Radalj was 34 and running a streetwear business in Beijing when he went to get his phone repaired at a popular electronics market.
www.skynews.com.au
January 19, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Australian jailed in China for four years claims embassy ignored his desperate calls for medical assistance during horror Beijing prison ordeal - a harrowing report from Cheng Lei, herself a former detainee
Reflecting on 25+ yrs and 4 eds of my China Law Deskbook, first published by the ABA '99. I started the 1st ed in '91 as a bundle of JV laws tossed in my suitcase for travel around the country. While purely my perspective, it reflects 3 decades of China's development. We'll see if I finish 5th Ed.
January 13, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Reflecting on 25+ yrs and 4 eds of my China Law Deskbook, first published by the ABA '99. I started the 1st ed in '91 as a bundle of JV laws tossed in my suitcase for travel around the country. While purely my perspective, it reflects 3 decades of China's development. We'll see if I finish 5th Ed.
I had an engaging discussion on #ThePekingExpress story today with members of The Village Common of Rhode Island Book Club. A wonderful community with an important mission.
providencevillageri.org/content.aspx...
providencevillageri.org/content.aspx...
TVC Book Club: The Peking Express by James Zimmerman - Events - The Village Common of RI
providencevillageri.org
December 10, 2024 at 3:20 AM
I had an engaging discussion on #ThePekingExpress story today with members of The Village Common of Rhode Island Book Club. A wonderful community with an important mission.
providencevillageri.org/content.aspx...
providencevillageri.org/content.aspx...
“If sanctions don’t apply to competitors . . . they will fill the gap at a loss to American companies and workers . . ."
www.scmp.com/economy/chin...
www.scmp.com/economy/chin...
‘In China for China’: global firms go local as trade, tech tensions ramp up
Many businesses are adopting an ‘in China for China’ strategy to stay in the lucrative market while avoiding geopolitical disruptions.
www.scmp.com
December 6, 2024 at 3:27 AM
“If sanctions don’t apply to competitors . . . they will fill the gap at a loss to American companies and workers . . ."
www.scmp.com/economy/chin...
www.scmp.com/economy/chin...
And with the nomination of his protégé Greer, “expect the same playbook – all tactics, no strategy,” according to long-time Beijing-based lawyer James Zimmerman, who is also a former chairman of AmCham China.
www.scmp.com/economy/glob...
www.scmp.com/economy/glob...
Key architect of US-China trade war set to push hard line in Trump’s cabinet
US president-elect Donald Trump has nominated international trade lawyer Jamieson Greer as the next US trade representative.
www.scmp.com
November 27, 2024 at 3:25 PM
And with the nomination of his protégé Greer, “expect the same playbook – all tactics, no strategy,” according to long-time Beijing-based lawyer James Zimmerman, who is also a former chairman of AmCham China.
www.scmp.com/economy/glob...
www.scmp.com/economy/glob...
"The US is a status quo power that wants to maintain peace. Beijing is a dynamic, non-status quo power that wants to remake the region under a new Chinese hegemony."
Insightful interview of former deputy NSA Matt Pottinger by @jamescrabtree.bsky.social
mekongreview.com/the-hardliner/
Insightful interview of former deputy NSA Matt Pottinger by @jamescrabtree.bsky.social
mekongreview.com/the-hardliner/
The hardliner - Mekong Review
Matt Pottinger doesn’t much like the term “China hawk”. Even so, he’s become one of the most prominent voices in the United States pushing for a tougher line against Beijing.
mekongreview.com
November 16, 2024 at 7:30 PM
"The US is a status quo power that wants to maintain peace. Beijing is a dynamic, non-status quo power that wants to remake the region under a new Chinese hegemony."
Insightful interview of former deputy NSA Matt Pottinger by @jamescrabtree.bsky.social
mekongreview.com/the-hardliner/
Insightful interview of former deputy NSA Matt Pottinger by @jamescrabtree.bsky.social
mekongreview.com/the-hardliner/
For those in California: I am delighted to be moderating a discussion with Pulitzer and Polk Award Winning journalist and investigative reporter Dean Calbreath, the author of The Sergeant: The Incredible Life of Nicholas Said.
July, 23, 2024, 730pm
Warwick's
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
July, 23, 2024, 730pm
Warwick's
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
July 17, 2024 at 1:17 AM
For those in California: I am delighted to be moderating a discussion with Pulitzer and Polk Award Winning journalist and investigative reporter Dean Calbreath, the author of The Sergeant: The Incredible Life of Nicholas Said.
July, 23, 2024, 730pm
Warwick's
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
July, 23, 2024, 730pm
Warwick's
7812 Girard Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
The MSS is “driven more by politics than reality or good common sense ... But this is China with Xi Jinping characteristics.”
Excellent piece by Nectar Gan at CNN.
edition.cnn.com/2024/04/21/c...
Excellent piece by Nectar Gan at CNN.
edition.cnn.com/2024/04/21/c...
April 22, 2024 at 2:17 AM
The MSS is “driven more by politics than reality or good common sense ... But this is China with Xi Jinping characteristics.”
Excellent piece by Nectar Gan at CNN.
edition.cnn.com/2024/04/21/c...
Excellent piece by Nectar Gan at CNN.
edition.cnn.com/2024/04/21/c...
An important report issued by FCC China. The harassment of foreign journalists and their local staff continues to rise. If China wants a good story to be told, they need to let journalists do their jobs. Harassment only creates a new story line — oftentimes negative.
fccchina.org/2024/04/08/m...
fccchina.org/2024/04/08/m...
April 8, 2024 at 9:48 AM
An important report issued by FCC China. The harassment of foreign journalists and their local staff continues to rise. If China wants a good story to be told, they need to let journalists do their jobs. Harassment only creates a new story line — oftentimes negative.
fccchina.org/2024/04/08/m...
fccchina.org/2024/04/08/m...
James Zimmerman’s Acclaimed Nonfiction Book ‘The Peking Express’ Set for Movie Adaptation (Exclusive)
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
March 24, 2024 at 11:10 AM
James Zimmerman’s Acclaimed Nonfiction Book ‘The Peking Express’ Set for Movie Adaptation (Exclusive)
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
I am thrilled and honored to be part of the 13th edition of The Script Road — Macau Literary Festival, and look forward to meeting new and old friends in Macau at the two events on March 10-11. Join me!!!
March 3, 2024 at 12:47 PM
I am thrilled and honored to be part of the 13th edition of The Script Road — Macau Literary Festival, and look forward to meeting new and old friends in Macau at the two events on March 10-11. Join me!!!
Journalism is not a crime. When PRC police and security forces harass and detain foreign reporters (and local staff) all they do is create a whole new storyline — and most oftentimes its negative. If China has a good story to tell, let the journalists do their jobs.
fccchina.org/2024/03/01/f...
fccchina.org/2024/03/01/f...
March 2, 2024 at 1:53 PM
Journalism is not a crime. When PRC police and security forces harass and detain foreign reporters (and local staff) all they do is create a whole new storyline — and most oftentimes its negative. If China has a good story to tell, let the journalists do their jobs.
fccchina.org/2024/03/01/f...
fccchina.org/2024/03/01/f...
A perfect Saturday morning to walk the Beijing Ming Dynasty Wall Park (北京明城墙遗址公园). It's sunny and getting warmer, and air quality was good. And always interesting to compare the scenes of today with photos from old Peking's past.
March 2, 2024 at 9:28 AM
A perfect Saturday morning to walk the Beijing Ming Dynasty Wall Park (北京明城墙遗址公园). It's sunny and getting warmer, and air quality was good. And always interesting to compare the scenes of today with photos from old Peking's past.