Written by Paul Gardner. This is the second part of my blog about some of my favourite Chinese novels from the last century, focusing on what the novels reveal about how the writers view political and social developments during this period. Part one covered books that were largely set in China before the Communist revolution … Continue reading Great Modern Chinese novels or The last century in China through Chinese Literature (Part 2)
News from China in the week to 2 September, including date set for 19th Congress, plans for 'flying train' and UK PM calls on Xi to do more to curb N Korea. Politics The big political news of the week was the announcement that the CCP's twice-a-decade get together (the party’s 19th National Congress) will … Continue reading Not just pandas! News from China in the week to 2nd September
Written by Avital Avina. Framing—a martyr and dissident or an agitator and instigator? In my previous blog post, I wrote about the life of Liu Xiaobo. In part 2, I look more closely at how media frames affect the coverage of Liu Xiaobo’s work, life, and death. It is important to note that ‘frame’ here … Continue reading Pt.2: Liu Xiaobo dies at 61: a look at his life.
News from China in the week to 26 August, including censoring academic articles, Britain's responsibilities to Hong Kong, Party take over at Tibetan Buddhist centre and US investigates Chinese trade practices. Britain & China There has been considerable coverage in the UK and around the world of Cambridge University Press' decision to unblock articles they … Continue reading Not just pandas! News from China 20-26 August
Written by Caterina Bellinetti. Compromise seems to be the word of the century. Compromise also seems to be the reason why Cambridge University Press (CUP) initially agreed to censor certain contents of The China Quarterly at the request of the Chinese government. The first statement that CUP published read that they: “will only consider blocking … Continue reading On Academic Freedom and Integrity
Written by Paul Gardner. The decision by Cambridge University Press to censor articles on behalf of the Chinese government is a terrible error of judgement and a serious threat to academic freedom. CUP has not only tarnished its own reputation but, by association, the reputation of one of the world’s most famous universities and indeed … Continue reading Cambridge University Press, censorship in China and the need to stand up for academic freedom
News stories about China from the last week, including academic censorship, war of words between China and India, China's tech wizards and redefining what it means to be Chinese. Life in China China Faces Daunting Challenges as Senior Care Comes of Age (Caixin, 18 August) As the nation’s population of 1.4 billion ages and urbanises, the number … Continue reading Not just pandas! News from China 13-19 August
Written by Paul Gardner. Chinese literature deserves to be much better known in the West. For this blog I have selected some of my favourite Chinese novels (translated into English) from the last 100 years (and a bit). As a student of Chinese politics, I have been particularly interested to read novels that might reveal … Continue reading Great modern Chinese novels or The last century in China through Chinese Literature (Part 1)
News stories about China from the last week. Life in China Army Takes Shot at Popular Tencent Mobile Game (Caixin, 8 August) School-age teens aren’t the only ones getting hooked on “Honour of Kings,” the wildly popular mobile game from internet titan Tencent. Young officers in China’s military are also falling prey to the game, … Continue reading Not just pandas! News from China 6-12 August 2017
Written by Caterina Bellinetti (@ducky_cat) “It’s difficult to say what English speakers with no experience of East Asia will make of the book.” This is how The Asian Review of Books end their critique of Xiaolu Guo’s memoir. They do have a point because “Once Upon a Time in the East” is not an easy … Continue reading Book Review: “Once Upon a Time in the East: A Story of Growing up” by Xiaolu Guo
Scottish Centre for China Research 