Viola Zhou
@violazhou.bsky.social
Reporter at @restofworld.org
Covering tech, AI, and manufacturing
📍Hong Kong to New York
📧viola@restofworld.org, DM open
Covering tech, AI, and manufacturing
📍Hong Kong to New York
📧viola@restofworld.org, DM open
Really happy I got to speak with Hu Anyan about the English translation of his best-selling book, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing.
It’s a deeply captivating read that immerses readers in the repetitive, grueling days of a worker in a Chinese metropolis.
restofworld.org/2025/hu-anya...
It’s a deeply captivating read that immerses readers in the repetitive, grueling days of a worker in a Chinese metropolis.
restofworld.org/2025/hu-anya...
“I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”: Chinese literary sensation reaches U.S.
Hu Anyan, a former courier who wrote a best-selling book about the grueling job of delivering packages, discusses life, technology, and the future of work.
restofworld.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Really happy I got to speak with Hu Anyan about the English translation of his best-selling book, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing.
It’s a deeply captivating read that immerses readers in the repetitive, grueling days of a worker in a Chinese metropolis.
restofworld.org/2025/hu-anya...
It’s a deeply captivating read that immerses readers in the repetitive, grueling days of a worker in a Chinese metropolis.
restofworld.org/2025/hu-anya...
Very glad to see my story on AI and medicine printed in the Guardian this week!
If you haven’t read it: restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
If you haven’t read it: restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
October 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Very glad to see my story on AI and medicine printed in the Guardian this week!
If you haven’t read it: restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
If you haven’t read it: restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
In college, I'd always walk past an unremarkable store in Beijing that sold a variety of trendy, but tacky, toys. That store has turned into Pop Mart, the $45-billion Chinese toy empire behind Labubu, the biggest global fad of 2025.
This is my big story/pilgrimage trip to explain how they got here
This is my big story/pilgrimage trip to explain how they got here
A Journey Into the Heart of Labubu
I made an epic trek across four countries to answer one question: Why is the world going mad for a plushie monster?
www.wired.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:23 PM
In college, I'd always walk past an unremarkable store in Beijing that sold a variety of trendy, but tacky, toys. That store has turned into Pop Mart, the $45-billion Chinese toy empire behind Labubu, the biggest global fad of 2025.
This is my big story/pilgrimage trip to explain how they got here
This is my big story/pilgrimage trip to explain how they got here
Reposted by Viola Zhou
“DeepSeek is so much better than doctors.” @violazhou.bsky.social is unsettled by the way her mother, a kidney transplant patient in eastern China, relies on an AI chatbot for health advice. But she also recognizes that the bigger problem is a systemic one. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
restofworld.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“DeepSeek is so much better than doctors.” @violazhou.bsky.social is unsettled by the way her mother, a kidney transplant patient in eastern China, relies on an AI chatbot for health advice. But she also recognizes that the bigger problem is a systemic one. restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
Not long after DeepSeek R1 launched, I discovered that my mother had started using the chatbot as her virtual doctor.
I worried about her reliance on AI. But over time, I realized Dr. DeepSeek was offering something no human in her life could.
restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
I worried about her reliance on AI. But over time, I realized Dr. DeepSeek was offering something no human in her life could.
restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
My mom and Dr. DeepSeek
In China and around the world, the sick and lonely turn to AI.
restofworld.org
September 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Not long after DeepSeek R1 launched, I discovered that my mother had started using the chatbot as her virtual doctor.
I worried about her reliance on AI. But over time, I realized Dr. DeepSeek was offering something no human in her life could.
restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
I worried about her reliance on AI. But over time, I realized Dr. DeepSeek was offering something no human in her life could.
restofworld.org/2025/ai-chat...
With 128 GPUs, Mongolian startup Egune AI is training large-language models tailored to Mongolian language, culture, and nomadic traditions.
Story on why small nations are building their own LLMs despite limited resources
restofworld.org/2025/mongoli... via @restofworld.org
Story on why small nations are building their own LLMs despite limited resources
restofworld.org/2025/mongoli... via @restofworld.org
The Mongolian startup defying Big Tech with its own LLM
Egune is one of several linguistically and culturally aware AI models built by smaller nations to reduce reliance on American and Chinese tech giants.
restofworld.org
August 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
With 128 GPUs, Mongolian startup Egune AI is training large-language models tailored to Mongolian language, culture, and nomadic traditions.
Story on why small nations are building their own LLMs despite limited resources
restofworld.org/2025/mongoli... via @restofworld.org
Story on why small nations are building their own LLMs despite limited resources
restofworld.org/2025/mongoli... via @restofworld.org
Reposted by Viola Zhou
Sendo’s online grocery delivery business is encouraging Vietnamese housewives, store owners, and anyone else with unused fridge space to become a grocery distribution and pickup center, reports @lamle52.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/sendo-f...
restofworld.org/2025/sendo-f...
How do you compete with Chinese e-commerce giants? A Vietnamese company is deploying housewives
Sendo, once poised to become Vietnam’s leading e-commerce company, is reinventing itself to survive against TikTok Shop and Shopee.
restofworld.org
May 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Sendo’s online grocery delivery business is encouraging Vietnamese housewives, store owners, and anyone else with unused fridge space to become a grocery distribution and pickup center, reports @lamle52.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/sendo-f...
restofworld.org/2025/sendo-f...
With the de minimis change coming up, some Americans are spending thousands of $$ placing “last orders” on Temu, Shein, AliExpress.
“I am stocking up on everything I think I will need over the next two to three years.”
restofworld.org/2025/temu-sh... via @restofworld.org
“I am stocking up on everything I think I will need over the next two to three years.”
restofworld.org/2025/temu-sh... via @restofworld.org
Chinese sellers and U.S. buyers prepare for the end of ultracheap shopping
Temu and Shein are set to raise prices ahead of the de minimis loophole’s closure.
restofworld.org
April 23, 2025 at 2:58 PM
With the de minimis change coming up, some Americans are spending thousands of $$ placing “last orders” on Temu, Shein, AliExpress.
“I am stocking up on everything I think I will need over the next two to three years.”
restofworld.org/2025/temu-sh... via @restofworld.org
“I am stocking up on everything I think I will need over the next two to three years.”
restofworld.org/2025/temu-sh... via @restofworld.org
Reposted by Viola Zhou
NEW: It's not just e-commerce. So much of US businesses rely on China for manufacturing, and Trump's tariff peek-a-boo is leaving them in limbo. I talked to a dozen+ American businesses from mom&pop shops to $100m-revenue brands to unpack why tariffs won't magically bring factories back to the US.
Why It’s Impossible for Most Small Businesses to Manufacture in the US
American companies that make everything from keychains to mattresses say Chinese manufacturing is superior, and tariffs won’t be enough to shift production to the United States.
www.wired.com
April 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
NEW: It's not just e-commerce. So much of US businesses rely on China for manufacturing, and Trump's tariff peek-a-boo is leaving them in limbo. I talked to a dozen+ American businesses from mom&pop shops to $100m-revenue brands to unpack why tariffs won't magically bring factories back to the US.
Reposted by Viola Zhou
Must-read feature that would have shined in any news magazine, by @violazhou.bsky.social who braved the Michigan snowstorm to bring us a documentary movie-style story of a Chinese EV business in America! restofworld.org/2025/gotion-...
How a Chinese battery factory sparked a political meltdown in a small Michigan town
The ambitious executives at Gotion wanted to join America’s EV gold rush. Then came geopolitics.
restofworld.org
March 14, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Must-read feature that would have shined in any news magazine, by @violazhou.bsky.social who braved the Michigan snowstorm to bring us a documentary movie-style story of a Chinese EV business in America! restofworld.org/2025/gotion-...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
I chatted with @violazhou.bsky.social at @restofworld.org about how she covers the Chinese tech industry. We talked DeepSeek, tariffs, and AI competition for @columjournreview.bsky.social www.cjr.org/the_media_to...
Q&A: Viola Zhou on the Challenge of Covering Chinese Tech
The Trump administration thinks of Chinese tech as a dangerous rival to Silicon Valley. How do Chinese companies see it?
www.cjr.org
March 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I chatted with @violazhou.bsky.social at @restofworld.org about how she covers the Chinese tech industry. We talked DeepSeek, tariffs, and AI competition for @columjournreview.bsky.social www.cjr.org/the_media_to...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
Viola Zhou (@violazhou.bsky.social) spent months tracking Chinese EV battery maker Gotion and its efforts to open a Michigan factory. The result is a modern political allegory with few simple solutions. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social & @dvnjr.bsky.social's favorite restofworld.org/2025/gotion-...
How a Chinese battery factory sparked a political meltdown in a small Michigan town
The ambitious executives at Gotion wanted to join America’s EV gold rush. Then came geopolitics.
restofworld.org
March 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Viola Zhou (@violazhou.bsky.social) spent months tracking Chinese EV battery maker Gotion and its efforts to open a Michigan factory. The result is a modern political allegory with few simple solutions. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social & @dvnjr.bsky.social's favorite restofworld.org/2025/gotion-...
Chinese e-commerce merchants, including some on Temu, are using fake shipping labels to trick the U.S. postal service into delivering products for free.
Latest for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Latest for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Chinese Temu sellers use fake U.S. postage labels to boost their profits
Some vendors have figured out how to maintain ultralow prices: Trick the U.S. postal service into delivering products for free.
restofworld.org
February 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Chinese e-commerce merchants, including some on Temu, are using fake shipping labels to trick the U.S. postal service into delivering products for free.
Latest for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Latest for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
NEW: Chinese e-commerce sellers are scamming USPS out of MILLIONS of dollars using fake postage labels
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Fantastic piece from @violazhou.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Fantastic piece from @violazhou.bsky.social
February 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
NEW: Chinese e-commerce sellers are scamming USPS out of MILLIONS of dollars using fake postage labels
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Fantastic piece from @violazhou.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/temu-se...
Fantastic piece from @violazhou.bsky.social
DeepSeek’s breakthrough shows the strength of China’s AI talent pool.
Researcher at a top Silicon Valley company told us they had hired brilliant Chinese interns to work on AI projects. But some turned down full-time offers to return to China.
restofworld.org/2025/china-a... via @restofworld.org
Researcher at a top Silicon Valley company told us they had hired brilliant Chinese interns to work on AI projects. But some turned down full-time offers to return to China.
restofworld.org/2025/china-a... via @restofworld.org
DeepSeek’s rise shows why China’s top AI talent is skipping Silicon Valley
Young Chinese engineers focus on homegrown innovation, drawn by fewer visa hurdles and the chance to build a future on their own terms.
restofworld.org
February 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
DeepSeek’s breakthrough shows the strength of China’s AI talent pool.
Researcher at a top Silicon Valley company told us they had hired brilliant Chinese interns to work on AI projects. But some turned down full-time offers to return to China.
restofworld.org/2025/china-a... via @restofworld.org
Researcher at a top Silicon Valley company told us they had hired brilliant Chinese interns to work on AI projects. But some turned down full-time offers to return to China.
restofworld.org/2025/china-a... via @restofworld.org
Reposted by Viola Zhou
For this year’s photo contest, we put out a call asking readers to show us how technology is impacting their world. We received 227 entries from 45 countries — here are the winners
restofworld.org/2025/tech-ph...
restofworld.org/2025/tech-ph...
January 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
For this year’s photo contest, we put out a call asking readers to show us how technology is impacting their world. We received 227 entries from 45 countries — here are the winners
restofworld.org/2025/tech-ph...
restofworld.org/2025/tech-ph...
If you are interested in learning more about #Xiaohongshu #RedNote, @restofworld.org has published many in-depth stories about the community:
My story on XHS as an ultra-consumerist app, showing young women a polished, bougie, often-unattainable way of life.
restofworld.org/2023/xiaohon...
My story on XHS as an ultra-consumerist app, showing young women a polished, bougie, often-unattainable way of life.
restofworld.org/2023/xiaohon...
Xiaohongshu is teaching young Chinese women how to buy the perfect life
Known as China’s “lifestyle bible,” the social media platform is an aspirational living guide or a consumerist trap.
restofworld.org
January 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
If you are interested in learning more about #Xiaohongshu #RedNote, @restofworld.org has published many in-depth stories about the community:
My story on XHS as an ultra-consumerist app, showing young women a polished, bougie, often-unattainable way of life.
restofworld.org/2023/xiaohon...
My story on XHS as an ultra-consumerist app, showing young women a polished, bougie, often-unattainable way of life.
restofworld.org/2023/xiaohon...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
Despite all the cyber saber-rattling, US and Chinese AI researchers work with each other more than they work with anyone else: restofworld.org/2025/us-chin...
Great data-led reporting here from @khadijaalam.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
Great data-led reporting here from @khadijaalam.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
January 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Despite all the cyber saber-rattling, US and Chinese AI researchers work with each other more than they work with anyone else: restofworld.org/2025/us-chin...
Great data-led reporting here from @khadijaalam.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
Great data-led reporting here from @khadijaalam.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
Reposted by Viola Zhou
Sharing my first story w/ @restofworld.org!
Excited to be working with this group of creative, passionate and talented colleagues on covering the global tech landscape. How is Chinese tech is affecting your part of the world?
Tell me more: kinling@restofworld.org
Excited to be working with this group of creative, passionate and talented colleagues on covering the global tech landscape. How is Chinese tech is affecting your part of the world?
Tell me more: kinling@restofworld.org
Americans are joining the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu AKA RedNote en masse to protest an imminent TikTok ban.
New from @kinlinglo.bsky.social and @violazhou.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-...
New from @kinlinglo.bsky.social and @violazhou.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-...
U.S. TikTokers flock to Xiaohongshu, baffling and bonding with Chinese users
Americans are joining the Chinese social media app en masse to protest an imminent TikTok ban.
restofworld.org
January 15, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Sharing my first story w/ @restofworld.org!
Excited to be working with this group of creative, passionate and talented colleagues on covering the global tech landscape. How is Chinese tech is affecting your part of the world?
Tell me more: kinling@restofworld.org
Excited to be working with this group of creative, passionate and talented colleagues on covering the global tech landscape. How is Chinese tech is affecting your part of the world?
Tell me more: kinling@restofworld.org
While Chinese users know when to self-censor, Americans don’t. On Xiaohongshu aka RedNote, they ask about the Ukraine War, the Chinese govt, gay people.
In the comments, some local users reminded the newcomers not to discuss “politics, religion, and drugs.”
In the comments, some local users reminded the newcomers not to discuss “politics, religion, and drugs.”
Americans are joining the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu AKA RedNote en masse to protest an imminent TikTok ban.
New from @kinlinglo.bsky.social and @violazhou.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-...
New from @kinlinglo.bsky.social and @violazhou.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-...
U.S. TikTokers flock to Xiaohongshu, baffling and bonding with Chinese users
Americans are joining the Chinese social media app en masse to protest an imminent TikTok ban.
restofworld.org
January 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
While Chinese users know when to self-censor, Americans don’t. On Xiaohongshu aka RedNote, they ask about the Ukraine War, the Chinese govt, gay people.
In the comments, some local users reminded the newcomers not to discuss “politics, religion, and drugs.”
In the comments, some local users reminded the newcomers not to discuss “politics, religion, and drugs.”
Reposted by Viola Zhou
In case you missed it, @restofworld.org published three bangers on Friday.
First off, @violazhou.bsky.social & @selinacheng.bsky.social on Foxconn's surprise halt on sending people and equipment to India: restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
First off, @violazhou.bsky.social & @selinacheng.bsky.social on Foxconn's surprise halt on sending people and equipment to India: restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Exclusive: Foxconn stops sending Chinese workers to India iPhone factories
In addition, equipment shipments are delayed, potentially disrupting next-generation iPhone production in India.
restofworld.org
January 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
In case you missed it, @restofworld.org published three bangers on Friday.
First off, @violazhou.bsky.social & @selinacheng.bsky.social on Foxconn's surprise halt on sending people and equipment to India: restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
First off, @violazhou.bsky.social & @selinacheng.bsky.social on Foxconn's surprise halt on sending people and equipment to India: restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
MY SCOOP w @violazhou.bsky.social 👉
Foxconn staff rotations to India stopped, Chinese expatriates to return home, & equipment exports are held up.
Apple overcame tech challenges to make its iPhone Pro Maxes elsewhere, but now, new problems. An obvious one?
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Foxconn staff rotations to India stopped, Chinese expatriates to return home, & equipment exports are held up.
Apple overcame tech challenges to make its iPhone Pro Maxes elsewhere, but now, new problems. An obvious one?
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Exclusive: Foxconn stops sending Chinese workers to India iPhone factories
In addition, equipment shipments are delayed, potentially disrupting next-generation iPhone production in India.
restofworld.org
January 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
MY SCOOP w @violazhou.bsky.social 👉
Foxconn staff rotations to India stopped, Chinese expatriates to return home, & equipment exports are held up.
Apple overcame tech challenges to make its iPhone Pro Maxes elsewhere, but now, new problems. An obvious one?
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Foxconn staff rotations to India stopped, Chinese expatriates to return home, & equipment exports are held up.
Apple overcame tech challenges to make its iPhone Pro Maxes elsewhere, but now, new problems. An obvious one?
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Foxconn is currently having trouble sending mainland Chinese workers, equipment to its India iPhone plants. It will potential disrupt the production of next-gen iPhones in India.
Scoop with @selinacheng.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Scoop with @selinacheng.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Exclusive: Foxconn stops sending Chinese workers to India iPhone factories
In addition, equipment shipments are delayed, potentially disrupting next-generation iPhone production in India.
restofworld.org
January 10, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Foxconn is currently having trouble sending mainland Chinese workers, equipment to its India iPhone plants. It will potential disrupt the production of next-gen iPhones in India.
Scoop with @selinacheng.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Scoop with @selinacheng.bsky.social
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
Foxconn has stopped sending Chinese workers and equipment to its iPhone factories in India, which could dent Apple's ambition to use its India plants to diversify away from China. Exclusive from @selinacheng.bsky.social and @violazhou.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Exclusive: Foxconn stops sending Chinese workers to India iPhone factories
In addition, equipment shipments are delayed, potentially disrupting next-generation iPhone production in India.
restofworld.org
January 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Foxconn has stopped sending Chinese workers and equipment to its iPhone factories in India, which could dent Apple's ambition to use its India plants to diversify away from China. Exclusive from @selinacheng.bsky.social and @violazhou.bsky.social for @restofworld.org
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
restofworld.org/2025/china-f...
Reposted by Viola Zhou
I'm a big fan of @bloomberg.com's annual jealousy list — and I'm particularly thrilled to see an entry for @violazhou.bsky.social's @restofworld.org story on Chinese immigrants running Temu shipping centers from their homes.
Read it if you haven't yet! restofworld.org/2024/chinese...
Read it if you haven't yet! restofworld.org/2024/chinese...
The U.S. Chinese immigrants running Temu shipping centers from their homes
To speed up delivery and dodge a crackdown on shipments from China, e-commerce companies are turning to so-called “family warehouses.”
restofworld.org
December 5, 2024 at 12:22 AM
I'm a big fan of @bloomberg.com's annual jealousy list — and I'm particularly thrilled to see an entry for @violazhou.bsky.social's @restofworld.org story on Chinese immigrants running Temu shipping centers from their homes.
Read it if you haven't yet! restofworld.org/2024/chinese...
Read it if you haven't yet! restofworld.org/2024/chinese...