New Books in East Asian Studies

Join Professor Kerry Brown, a leading voice in Chinese Studies from King's College London, as he unpacks Taiwan's pivotal role in global geopolitics. He explores Taiwan's significance in the ideological battle between democracy and autocracy, and how its situation may shape future international dynamics. Brown delves into the historical tensions with China under Xi Jinping, Taiwan's democratic evolution, and the economic struggles influencing aggressive policies. Discover why understanding Taiwan is crucial for navigating today's complex global landscape.

Andrea Benvenuti, an Associate Professor at UNSW, dives into the pivotal Bandung Conference of 1955 and its influence on India's non-aligned strategy during the Cold War. He reveals that Nehru was less enthusiastic about the summit than commonly believed, highlighting how it underscored national divisions. The discussion also explores Nehru's complex relationship with China, particularly with Zhou Enlai, and critiques the efficacy of Nehru's foreign policy. Finally, Benvenuti compares Nehru's vision for Afro-Asian leadership with that of Indonesia's Sukarno.

Tamara Jacka, Emeritus Professor at The Australian National University, shares her insights on the intricate tapestry of rural Chinese life through her recent work. She delves into Ginkgo Village's traumatic past, marked by civil war and famine, and its dramatic social transformations due to labor migration. Emphasizing empathy, Jacka explores the evolving gender dynamics and the collaborative nature of her ethnographic research. Her storytelling invites listeners to understand the resilience and challenges faced by villagers while illuminating broader socio-cultural shifts in contemporary China.

Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee, a Professor at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu and author of 'Confucian Feminism: A Practical Ethic for Life', discusses the innovative overlap between Confucian principles and feminist theory. She explores how Confucian terms like ren and xiao offer fresh insights into gender oppression. The conversation reveals a reimagined view of marriage based on friendship and mutual growth. Rosenlee emphasizes the creation of a compassionate society through interdependence, advocating for policies that enhance care and community support.

In this engaging discussion, Anna Lora-Wainwright, a Professor of Human Geography of China at Oxford, delves into the complexities of living with pollution in rural China. She introduces the concept of 'resigned activism'—a poignant blend of acceptance and subtle resistance among communities facing severe environmental challenges. Personal stories illuminate the emotional toll of pollution, while her research highlights the resilience of these communities. Lora-Wainwright critiques systemic inequalities and emphasizes the often-overlooked dignity and agency of individuals struggling against toxicity.

Christopher Smith, author of "Samurai with Telephones," delves into the fascinating use of anachronism in Japanese literature. He explores how samurai can make phone calls in graphic novels and ancient aristocrats can teach in modern classrooms. Smith breaks down two types of anachronisms: those that rewrite history and those that disrupt it. He examines works from various genres, including literature, manga, and Kabuki plays, revealing how these creative choices illuminate and challenge historical narratives across different eras.

"With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that 1949 was actually the beginning, not the end, of the Chinese revolution." Building from this premise, Andrew G. Walder's new book looks at the ways that China was transformed in the 1950s in order to understand why and how Mao's decisions and initiatives - among those of other leaders - had the effects that they did. Written for a broad reading audience, China Under Mao: A Revolution Derailed (Harvard University Press, 2015)focuses on a core theme: the results of Mao's initiatives were often "unintended, unanticipated, and unwanted," by Mao himself, the party leadership, and the broader population. To help readers understand why this is important and how it happened, the first part of Walder's book offers a detailed and compelling account of the Communist Party's road to power and the legacy of this struggle for what happened after, including a military mobilization that formed the bureaucratic foundation for the new Chinese state, an organization oriented toward discipline and unity, and a flawed economic system imported from the Soviet Union. (Walder pays special attention to the differences in party tactics for mobilizing the cities and countryside.) The later chapters explore the transformations in the party in the 1950s and after, including a significant change in the meaning and motives for party membership that spurred Mao to enact measures with consequences ranging from counterproductive to devastating. China Under Mao analyzes these consequences, including the political and organizational causes of the massive failure of the Great Leap Forward and its aftermath. The book ends with a call to rethink Mao's legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Xiaoming Wang, a librarian in the East Asia Department of the Berlin State Library and an expert in the anthropology of Islam, dives into the lives of the Hui people in rural Ningxia. With a population of over 10 million, the Hui face unique challenges in preserving their identity amidst modernization and migration. Wang discusses the intricate relationship between their purity concepts, fasting practices, and socio-political dynamics. He also highlights the struggles of Hui women navigating cultural tensions and shifting roles in a rapidly changing society.

The South China enclave of Macau was the first and last European colonial settlement in East Asia and a territory at the crossroads of different empires. In Neutrality and Collaboration in South China: Macau during the Second World War (Cambridge UP, 2023), Helena F. S. Lopes analyses the layers of collaboration that developed from neutrality in Macau during the Second World War. Exploring the intersections of local, regional and global dynamics, she unpacks the connections between a plurality of actors with competing and collaborative interests, including Chinese Nationalists, Communists and collaborators with Japan, Portuguese colonial authorities and British and Japanese representatives. Lopes argues that neutrality eased the movement of refugees of different nationalities who sought shelter in Macau during the war and that it helped to guarantee the maintenance of two remnants of European colonialism - Macau and Hong Kong. Drawing on extensive research from multilingual archival material from Asia, Europe, Australasia and America, this book brings to light the multiple global connections framing the experiences of neutrality and collaboration in the Portuguese-administered enclave of Macau. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Satoru Hashimoto, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, dives into the transnational roots of modern literature in China, Japan, and Korea. He discusses the impact of 19th-century cultural exchanges and how writers navigated historical relationships to reshape literature during modernization. Hashimoto highlights the significance of political novels and historical narratives, examining how key figures influenced literary landscapes across borders. His insights connect classical traditions with contemporary themes, challenging nationalistic perspectives in East Asian literature.