A Great Leap Backwards?: The Closing of Cultural Spaces and the New Normal in Beijing
Jun 28, 2023
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The podcast discusses the shrinking cultural space in Beijing, from crackdowns on stand-up comedy to limitations on foreign musicians. It highlights the disappearance of LGBTQ spaces and the challenges faced by expats. The closure of cultural venues like the Bookworm is examined, alongside the implications for Chinese soft power and academic exchanges. The hosts explore the implications of these changes and the emergence of alternative creative spaces amidst a less welcoming environment for foreigners.
Tightening regulations in China are shrinking cultural spaces and stifling artistic expression, impacting LGBTQ communities and academic exchanges.
Declining foreign presence in China is driven by infrastructure challenges, growing hostility towards expats, and shifting societal attitudes.
Deep dives
Lifestyles and Concerns Amidst Rising Temperatures
With temperatures in China soaring to record highs, individuals like the podcast hosts are making plans to escape the summer heat. The discussion revolves around the experiences of expats preparing to leave, noting the anticipated extreme temperatures and personal reasons for returning home.
Cultural Spaces and Expression Restriction
The podcast delves into the shrinking spaces for international and cultural activities in China. Examples cited include restrictions faced by LGBTQ centers, foreign performers, and negative implications on foreign presence related to ongoing shifts in rhetoric and attitudes. The hosts express concerns over declining openness and acceptance in these areas.
NGO Regulations and Impact on Cultural Landscape
The discussion expands to the challenges faced by NGOs operating in China, highlighting the impact of regulatory changes on their activities. Instances of closures and heightened scrutiny are linked to broader trends of restricting diverse cultural expression, impacting sectors like LGBTQ support programs and internships.
Foreigner Perception and Challenges in China
An in-depth analysis is provided on the declining numbers of foreigners residing in China, particularly in areas like Shanghai. This decline is attributed to various factors like infrastructure challenges, increased hostility towards foreigners, and issues related to societal attitudes. The conversation mentions a notable speech addressing these concerns and underscores the evolving climate regarding international presence.
This episode of the podcast addresses a worrisome question: Is China’s “cultural space” shrinking?
The recent crackdown on stand-up comedy content and the scrutiny of foreign musicians performing in bars have raised worries that other artistic domains will soon be targeted. Over the past decade, there has been a perception of a “death by a thousand cuts,” as increasing scrutiny and tightening regulations have slowly sanitized, squelched, or strangled many areas of artistic and cultural expression.
The once vibrant LGBTQ scene in Beijing, characterized by thriving queer film festivals and active “tongzhi” websites, is now virtually moribund. Venues such as the Bookworm, where freewheeling literary festivals and public talks were tacitly allowed, are now a thing of the past. And the numerous academic exchanges that collapsed during the COVID-19 years do not show signs of reviving soon.
In the podcast, we discuss questions such as: What are the implications of this trend for Chinese soft power? Can alternative “safe spaces” allow creative activity to continue? And what are the ramifications for the foreign exodus from China, as many ex-pats find the country less welcoming than in times past?
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