Filipino American journalists Rene Pastor and Cristina DC Pastor draw on years of reporting and lived experience in Beijing to document daily life under China’s strict COVID-19 policies in their book, “Living in China 2019 to 2023: A COVID Diary.”
The book offers a first-person account of the pandemic years in China, blending diary-style entries with cultural observations shaped by the authors’ long careers in journalism and their extended stay in Beijing before returning to the United States.
Rene Pastor, a veteran journalist, served as senior business editor of China Daily, one of China’s largest English-language news organizations. Prior to his work in Beijing, he spent more than two decades with Reuters covering global commodities markets, building a reputation for clear, analytical reporting on international business and economic trends.
Cristina DC Pastor is the founding editor of The FilAm, a New York-based print and digital publication serving the Filipino American community. Her work focuses on diaspora stories, immigration, culture and identity, and she has led editorial initiatives that highlight underrepresented voices in U.S. media.
While based in Beijing from 2019 to 2023, the couple experienced firsthand the realities of China’s zero-COVID policy. Their book recounts episodes such as late-night mandatory testing, strict residential lockdowns, and the routine use of health codes required for entry into public spaces.
Beyond the restrictions, the authors document everyday life and cultural immersion in China. Their entries describe learning to navigate local markets, adapting to language barriers, and observing social trends — from the popularity of English-learning through American television shows to shifting attitudes among younger Chinese toward marriage.
The book also captures lighter moments of adjustment, including gardening during lockdown, online shopping habits, and viral social media trends that reflect contemporary Chinese life.
Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz, who wrote the foreword, noted that the authors’ experiences mirrored those of many residents during the pandemic. He described a shared reality of mass testing, reliance on delivery services, limited mobility, and compliance with stringent public health controls.
Originally based on entries written for the “Second Thoughts” column in China Daily, the 189-page book is published by Berkeley, a boutique publishing house in New York. It has appeared on Amazon’s bestseller lists in Asian and Asian American biography categories.
“Living in China 2019 to 2023: A COVID Diary” is available on Amazon.
Editor’s Note: Cristina DC Pastor is a TOFA awardee, recognized in 2020 as one of the TOFA100 Most Influential Filipinos in America during a virtual awards ceremony held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
