The idea of a Cold War II between the West and China has quickly evolved from a misleading analogy into a self-fulfilling prophecy. But contemporary China is nothing like the Soviet Union, and in today's world, we simply cannot afford another clash of mutually exclusive systems.
By Redaktion Table
"Jiang Li" (讲理) means explaining a complicated and controversial issue rationally and in a way that is comprehensible to others, even if their views differ. China's old-school foreign policymakers followed this rule: "At least we try to argue rationally and indicate what logic guides us," a diplomat friend once told me. "Jiang Li" was "the ABC of pragmatic diplomacy."
By
As the Communist Party of China prepares to mark its centennial on July 1, the poor longevity record of other dictatorial parties in modern times should give its leaders cause for worry. If the CPC is not on the right track with its neo-Maoist revival, its upcoming milestone maybe its last.
By Redaktion Table
Why Western researchers should definitely continue to travel to China: Only direct exchange with scholars on the ground can provide a complete picture of this complex and diverse society.
By Redaktion Table
Covid from China? Taboo! Swine fever from Africa? All right! In the People's Republic, the language is sometimes animalistic. President Xi, in particular, loves to use animal terms to discredit enemies. He also likes to use animal metaphors to describe his country. The mystical dragon or the strong lion are particularly popular in Beijing for describing China.
By
Alarmed by new data showing that its fertility rate is now similar to that of aging Japan, China has announced that it will permit families to have up to three children. Yet without broader reforms to address high costs of living and rural-urban divides, the new policy could make a difficult problem worse.
By Redaktion Table
One of Beijing's cemeteries holds a dark secret. In eight graves lie urns with the ashes of young men. They died in a hail of bullets on the night of June 4, 1989, when the army put down student protests at gunpoint. The police only allow their parents and relatives to visit these graves. The massacre is taboo. In Hong Kong, the traditional candlelight service planned for today in Victoria Park has been banned, as it was in 2020. The cemetery is the only place in China where remembrance still has a public place.
By
Institutional arrangements are complex systems, shaped by history, geography, and culture. The objective should not be to identify a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather to devise the combination of characteristics that would deliver the greatest good for the greatest number of people, with the right checks and balances.
By Redaktion Table
Only in the People's Republic of China do people receive anti-communist leaflets, which can be used for shopping. The subversive texts call for the overthrow of China's party or for mass resignation from the CP. Paradoxically, the criminal calls are worth their weight in gold. Because they are printed on banknotes.
By
A recent article in the Tagesspiegel carried the headline "Why I no longer travel to China." Our guest author Christian Straube responds with a contrary view: Personal contact with China has never been more important than it is today.
By Redaktion Table
