Barbarians at the Gate

A Great Leap Backwards?: The Closing of Cultural Spaces and the New Normal in Beijing

Jun 28, 2023

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.

41:04

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

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.

Introduction

3min

Closure of Cultural Spaces in Beijing

18min

Foreign Musicians in Beijing: Crackdowns and Complexity

3min

Navigating Challenges as a Foreigner in Beijing

7min

Challenges Faced by Foreign Professors and Creative Artists in Chinese Universities

6min

Exploring the Vanishing Cultural Spaces and Emerging Optimism in Beijing

4min

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?

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

Barbarians at the Gate

A Great Leap Backwards?: The Closing of Cultural Spaces and the New Normal in Beijing

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Lifestyles and Concerns Amidst Rising Temperatures

Cultural Spaces and Expression Restriction

NGO Regulations and Impact on Cultural Landscape

Foreigner Perception and Challenges in China

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts