The Political Economy of China's E-commerce Boom with Lizhi Liu, Part 2

In Part 2 of our conversation with Professor Lizhi Liu, we shift from the origins of China’s e-commerce boom to the competitive dynamics shaping its present—and its future.

Lizhi breaks down how major platforms like Taobao/Tmall, JD, and Pinduoduo have shaped institutional innovation through intense competition, and what their strategies reveal about China’s digital governance model. We discuss the globalization of Chinese platforms, the role of mega-shopping festivals like Singles’ Day, and the evolution of social commerce as short-video platforms transform product discovery and purchasing behavior.

We also explore how China’s digital ecosystem may evolve over the next decade—and the one key lesson Lizhi hopes global audiences take away from her book.

Listeners interested in cross-border commerce, platform governance, or the future of China’s digital market will find this second installment packed with insights.

Discussion Points (Part 2):

• How platform competition among Alibaba, JD, and Pinduoduo shaped China’s e-commerce institutions
• China’s growing presence in global e-commerce and the rise of cross-border sellers
• Singles’ Day as a political-economic phenomenon, and whether these mega-festivals still matter
• The evolution and significance of social commerce in China
• Predictions for the next stage of China’s e-commerce development
• The key takeaway Lizhi hopes readers remember from From Click to Boom