Hello, welcome to Sino Spark.

My name is Timna Michlmayr, and I am the creator of this blog. I am a PhD candidate (2018- ) in Chinese Studies at the University of Vienna, Austria.

My research focuses on China’s political economy, fiscal politics, debt, and real estate, so many of the posts in this blog will revolve around recent developments in Chinese politics, the economy, and their interrelation.

Moreover, I have recently embarked on a new collaborative research project that explores the role of China (and Russia) in Outer Space. Consequently, I will also be writing about space politics and the latest advancements in Outer Space.

I am an enthusiastic Sinologist-in-training and an avid learner of the Chinese language, history, culture, society, and political system. I consider this learning process to be a lifelong endeavor.

After 12 years of studying China, I felt an urgent need to create a blogging website.

On the one hand, this idea stems from my desire to express myself beyond the academic realm, focusing on current topics related to China and encouraging discussions on various perspectives. Writing a dissertation on central topics of Chinese political economy has not become any easier in the course of my research since 2018 – the recent changes in the Chinese economic landscape have also motivated me to expand my writing beyond my dissertation.

On the other hand, my research work, and especially the latest field trip in June 2023, has instilled in me a growing desire to build – and maintain – “bridges”. These “bridges” encompass various aspects: connecting the Chinese-speaking world with the “West”, bridging the gap between the scientific study of China and public perception, establishing connections between different scientific fields, and fostering interpersonal relationships. I firmly believe that critical discussions are vital for knowledge generation and play a significant role in this “bridge-building” endeavor. This website aims to make a small contribution by stimulating exchanges on topics relevant to sinological research and promoting a general understanding of issues related to contemporary China.

“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” (Issac Newton)

The Sino Spark website is primarily intended as a blogging website that discusses recent developments relating to China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. One of the goals is to make certain content accessible to readers who are interested in the website’s topics but do not have expert knowledge of China. At the same time, the overarching credo of the website is that the content is science-based. The website is NOT intended as an opportunity to simply voice opinions but rather refers to insights from research or scientific engagement with the topics covered.

Personally, I will post articles, comments, or short opinion pieces on the website. Since I can’t post here full-time due to my dissertation work, the number of postings will temporarily be limited. There will also be a section where news and events related to the posted topics will be listed. In addition to my own posts, the website aims to pick up articles from colleagues and other young scientists, thereby creating a platform to enhance ‘visibility’.

An important principle of the website is to promote a diverse range of formats. A mix of longer articles, short opinion pieces, comments, and more detailed reports is not only possible but desirable.

Ultimately, the site is also about creating a network that brings together inputs from different research directions, countries, and personal perspectives.

I am excited for the upcoming writing journey!

The opinions expressed in the blog articles are solely those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the creator of this blog.

Please note that the website is currently under construction, so the content will be updated step by step.