China enforced COVID-19 lockdowns at staggerating costs. A look at China’s battles with past pandemics and the nexus of hygiene and authority helps us to explain. – by Konstantin Kladensky
Category Archive: English
In Qing China, ghastly stories of black magic create confusion throughout the empire. Phillip A. Kuhn investigates these events in an exceptionally captivating book. – by Konstantin Kladensky
Taiwanese vibrant cultures have a lot of unique sounds to offer. Although sounds can be heard all over the world, the level of noise here is quite different. Sounds also play considerable roles in Taiwanese society. Anna Šopíková takes us on a journey through the sounds of Taiwan. – by Anna Šopíková
Chinatown is often associated with lanterns, authentic Chinese food, an “exotic” atmosphere, and, most importantly, the community of Chinese people. However, what if the community is missing? Paulína Ovečková takes us on a walk through the Chinatowns of Mexico City. – by Paulína Ovečková
Interview with Rebecca E. Karl on Feminism in China
How did feminism take root in China? Rebecca E. Karl sheds light on early sources of feminism, and explains why “liberation talk” prevents us from understanding the role of women in today’s society. – by Sabine Hinrichs and David Lenz
Every winter Chinese authorities receive numerous online complaints related to heating. In the past, central policies ignored complex local conditions. The desire of local leaders to reach their performance targets has added fuel to the problem. How did this situation come about? How did local governments respond? And why are environmental and energy goals so difficult to integrate? – by Jenny Li Jie
The new word “neijuan” (involution) has become popular in everyday Chinese. It refers to the fierce competition in labour markets and in the education system, and is a central part of the debate around China’s hyper-competitive culture. – by Konstantin Kladensky
The 1949 Soviet film “Cossacks of the Kuban” was an instant success both in the Soviet Union and in the newly founded People’s Republic of China. The film’s popularity was a result of Sino-Soviet cooperation and waned just when relations between the states deteriorated. Today, the film is largely forgotten in China, but its songs are still sung. – by Stefan Wackerlig
This year, China watchers are especially excited: As the Chinese Communist Party celebrates its 100th anniversary, a new version of party history was officially released. What did General Secretary Xi Jinping make of it? The 2021 history of China’s ruling party is a propaganda piece, but it is controversial and still worth looking at. – by Sabine Hinrichs
On May 31st, 2021, China announced the end of its two-child policy, now setting the limit at three children in an attempt to increase birth rates. Although this shift brings a relaxation of family planning policies, the Chinese government is still deeply involved in the reproductive freedom of women in China. – by Tinkara Godec