lectures

China and Chineseness: Lessons from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan

Gresham College

October 15

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This lecture is about the meaning of China and being Chinese. It examines critically how the Chinese state, under the control of the Communist Party defines them. It highlights the historical reality that the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan adopted different political systems. The Communist Party installed a powerful Leninist party-state on the Mainland. Laisses-faire British colonial rule groomed Hong Kong people to desire democratization. Taiwan has become a vibrant democracy. This lecture address how such realities should influence how we understand China and Chineseness.