Our China Perspective column is written by authors from the People's Republic. There, Donald Trump's behavior is perceived as an entertainment factor. But now a growing number of Chinese are confronted with a sobering reality.
By Redaktion Table
Zhang Yu has connected Germany and China through art and culture for 20 years. Intercultural dialog is more important today than ever, says the former entrepreneur. Her next major project is a concert of Chinese rock music and German classical music at the Berlin Philharmonie.
By Redaktion Table
In his time, Mao was paid a symbolic monthly salary of 400 yuan. Today, his memorabilia is worth millions of yuan. It is difficult to imagine what the Great Chairman would say about the cult surrounding the Cultural Revolution.
By Carolyn Braun
Yan Mingfu and his father Yan Baohang are the protagonists of a bizarre Chinese century saga. Both Yans served the Great Chairman Mao, the father as a super spy, and the son as chief interpreter. Today, their legacy is swept under the carpet by Xi Jinping's government. Yet Yan Mingfu's memoirs are considered a "treasure trove of historical truth."
By Table.Briefings
The People's Republic is trying to exert influence across the globe with lots of money and even more propaganda, with Confucius Institutes and cultural projects of all kinds. Threats and economic coercion are part of the repertoire. So far, all efforts have been in vain. In the West, Beijing is only running up against ever higher walls. Although it does have effective means at its disposal to exploit its soft powers. One of these, which it once wielded to make foreigners' mouths water, is China's cuisine.
By Experts Table.Briefings
At the Yingtai Pavilion, part of the old Beijing Imperial Palace, the lines of history cross in an unlikely fashion. It was in the setting of imperial splendor that Communist autocrat Mao met with Pu Yi, the deposed last emperor. Recently, Xi Jinping used the same location for a special meeting. And he spared no imperial symbolism for himself.
By Table.Briefings
The 6th plenum of the current Central Committee will convene in Beijing next week. Under normal circumstances of the post-reform era, this would herald the end of Xi Jinping's term in office. But the latter dares to break with Deng Xiaoping and wants to anchor himself even more firmly as the "core of the CP". He also wants to lift himself even further up the all-time list of the historic party hierarchy: above Deng, next to Mao.
By Michael Radunski
