University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute of East Asian Studies IN-EAST https://hdl.handle.net/10419/24822 2026-09-15T02:15:00Z 2026-09-15T02:15:00Z Yan, Zhe Ten Brink, Tobias Müller, Armin https://hdl.handle.net/10419/317776 2025-05-17T09:00:59Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Gaps between de jure entitlement and de facto benefits: Drift and the role of employers in China's maternity benefit system Authors: Yan, Zhe; Ten Brink, Tobias; Müller, Armin Abstract: Female workers in China have a de jure right to maternity benefits, as enshrined in policy and legal documents since the 1950s. This article examines why this entitlement is not always de facto guaranteed as stipulated in the legislation. We use the conceptual framework of gradual institutional change by drift to analyze how a changing context, that of marketization, undermined the effectiveness of an institution, namely the individual right to maternity benefits. We trace the historical evolution of maternity benefits and examine their outcomes in terms of coverage and benefit levels. We find that the transition from a command to a market economy led to employer noncompliance in providing benefits. Although maternity insurance was introduced in 1994 to alleviate drift, persistent employer non-compliance, and weak legal enforcement, also help explain why coverage remained uneven well into the 2010s and why this was accompanied by a decline in maternity benefit levels at the same time. In fact, linking female workers' maternity entitlements to a noncontributory insurance scheme that makes employers both contributors and distributors of maternity benefits has reinforced the employers' role and contributed to the gaps between de jure entitlement and de facto benefits. By combining historical research and interviews with quantitative data from statistical yearbooks and the China Labor Dynamics Survey, we add new insights to research on maternity benefits in China by tackling the relationship between drift and the implementation of legislation.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Romano, Giulia C. Taube, Markus https://hdl.handle.net/10419/300269 2024-07-18T01:30:40Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Duisburg and its partnerships with China and Wuhan: An "all-weather" friendly relationship amidst contemporary crises? Authors: Romano, Giulia C.; Taube, Markus Abstract: Duisburg was the first German city to establish official relations with a Chinese city, Wuhan. Less out of strategic calculation or recognition of the global significance of China's reform and opening-up policy, but rather thanks to their common industrial roots in the steel industry, the two cities entered an exchange in 1982. In the following two decades, Duisburg supported Wuhan's development with technical, administrative, and economic assistance, while the latter committed itself primarily in a symbolic fashion to the partnership. Then, after a period of reduced intensity, the partnership was strengthened anew in the early 2010s. Committed to the initiative of reviving the ancient Silk Road, Duisburg subsequently made this connection with Wuhan, and more generally with China, its distinctive brand. The partnership still exists, despite the significant changes that occurred in the international and national context in the very recent years, and above all in China. The city of Duisburg is firm in maintaining an open-door policy and upholding its ties with Wuhan, thereby deviating from the current mainstream of German and EU orientation. This paper explores the components and characteristics of this seemingly "all-weather" friendly relationship, namely its origins, actors, reasons, and objectives through a historical perspective. It looks first at the very beginning of the partnership with Wuhan, allowing for a better understanding of the history of this city's commitment to China. Then, it addresses the 2010s, a period in which relations between Duisburg and its Chinese partners have significantly intensified. Finally, it covers the contemporary period, illustrating how the city has adapted its relations with China to the enormous upheavals caused by the politico-economic developments in China, the Covid-19 pandemic, the current war in Ukraine, and the pressures of the domestic and international contexts.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Xie, Han https://hdl.handle.net/10419/300699 2024-08-06T01:25:34Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Visualizations of Chinese nation branding: A comparative study of the 2008 and 2022 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremonies Authors: Xie, Han Abstract: As Beijing became the first city in history to successfully host both Summer and Winter Olympic Games, this paper looks into the different visualizations of the two Olympics opening ceremonies in 2008 and 2022. By incorporating the concept of Nation Branding, it features a comparative case study to discuss how China has understood and branded the country through detailed and well-rehearsed artistic presentations in these events. The case study mainly focuses on three layers: role conception, role perception / the formation of brands, and finally the presentation of strategically designed brands. Each layer of comparison answers a specific question, and their combination in turn answers how the difference in artistic presentation may connect with the shifting Chinese nation branding strategies. The result of this paper suggests that the presentations in 2008 and 2022 Olympics opening ceremonies, as the focus shifted from "country and heroism" to "people and togetherness," generally stood in line with the nation branding strategies performed by the Chinese government throughout this 14-year span.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10419/277730 2023-12-28T02:50:18Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Populism in the liberal democracies of East Asia: South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan Editors: Mosler, Hannes B. Abstract: In recent decades, the surge of populist movements and leaders has captivated the attention of scholars, policymakers, and the general public around the world. The rise of populism and populists has prompted a profound reevaluation of the dynamics within democratic societies and the complex interplay between political, social, and economic forces. As this phenomenon continues to evolve, it has ignited intense academic debates, sparking a quest to understand its manifestations, causes, and implications across diverse socio-political contexts. This collection of working papers embarks on a hitherto unique journey, focusing its analytical lens on the enigmatic landscape of the potentialities of populism within the East Asian liberal democracies of South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Each paper in this collection engages with specific cases, delving into the intricate web of the political, cultural, and social nuances that shape the trajectory of populism within these countries. However, these papers do not merely stand as isolated studies; they are embedded within a larger academic discourse, contributing to and enriching the broader dialogue on the nature and implications of populism.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z