There were high concerns that Beijing might counter the meeting between Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy with military maneuvers. And that these may threaten Taiwan even more immediately than those following the August 2022 visit of McCarthy’s Democratic predecessor, Nancy Pelosi. On the day of the meeting in […]
A good nine years ago, the local government of Xinjiang set out to develop the predominantly Uyghur autonomous region, into an “important westward-oriented location for automobile production.” Companies were lured by rent-free contracts, subsidies, and cheap labor costs. That the latter could be kept so low was not least due to the use of forced […]
With her trip to North America, Taiwan’s President Tasi Ing-wen sends a clear message: Taiwan will not bow to pressure from China. She also wants to secure further security guarantees for the island’s freedom. Speaking in Taipei shortly before her departure for America, Tsai said she did not want to provoke anyone with her trip, […]
Your books and essays have been popular for more than 40 years in the Chinese-speaking world. In mainland China, you are one of the most well-known writers as well. In 2019 your books have been banned there. What happened? Before 2019, only some particular books of mine were banned, for instance, Big River Big Sea: Untold […]
Shortly after the lights come on, a man jumps from his seat and shouts at the movie audience as if his favorite football team had just scored a goal: “I want to announce: ‘Wandering Earth‘ is brilliant! China’s science fiction is brilliant! The Chinese are brilliant!!!” Some moviegoers react with reserved clapping. Others reach for […]
Foreign countries perceive social debates in China primarily through the state media’s synchronized propaganda. It may therefore come as a surprise to many that there is also a lively culture of discourse in China. It eludes state constraints and tries to find philosophical solutions for Chinese issues beyond Marx and Mao. David Ownby, a history […]
The German song “99 Luftballons,” which was an international hit at the height of the Cold War, is also known in China. In the song, flying balloons spark a global war that leaves the world in ruins. The flying object shot down on Saturday, which Beijing claims was merely a stray weather balloon, has also […]
In China’s state media, the appearance and shooting down of an alleged Chinese spy balloon over the USA is still kept under wraps so far. The usual outrage-fuelled editorials have yet to appear. However, the basic tone of the State Department’s official statement is already reflected in the news-style reports: the flying object was a […]
While Chinese tourists are allowed to travel the world again after the end of zero-Covid, China continues to keep its own borders closed to foreign tourists. “At the moment, it is unfortunately not possible to apply for a tourist visa,” the official China visa office in Berlin explained on inquiry. So far, only business travelers […]
The abrupt change in China’s Covid policy confronts the censorship authorities with a monumental task, which will certainly impact social stability: How do you explain the 180-degree turn from zero-Covid to zero-caution to your own population? A clear direction only emerged slowly after the strict measures were lifted after December 7, which also suggests a […]