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China nsight Since 2001 Fostering business and Icultural harmony between China and the U.S. VOL. 20 NO. 7 July-August 2021

NOW, Masked mischief? ONLINE ONLY!

News, p. 5

History, p. 6

Masked or not, mischief is not at work here. Just energy and creativity unleashed. Yes, as life regains some semblance of “normalcy” post COVID-19, it’s time to check out events and performances available. One local organization has been practicing for this day! See page 8.

Community Tips for diffusing anti-Asian hate Arts, p. 7 incidents On May 22, a group of local Asian com- and identify an anchor point—a place of such examples: munity organizations (Asian Media Access, emotional safety. • Compliment or money talk– “You look Coalition of Asian American Leaders, along • Before arriving, take a few moments to great!” or “Look! $100 bill on the floor.” with Asian Minnesotan Alliance for Justice) consider boundaries and potential triggers, • Dancing or singing hosted a workshop for dealing with the in- and remember your anchor point. • Pretending you lost something, asking crease in anti-Asian hate incidents. • Make time to discuss your boundaries people to find it The training was facilitated by Kalaya'an with your team when you meet up before • Asking for the time Mendoza (Kala from here on), director of the action. • Asking for directions the US Programs for Nonviolent Peaceforce • Remember to check in with your team The aim with de-escalation is not to win (NP). NP is a global civilian protection throughout the day and make time for ap- over someone with whom you disagree, but Community, p. 8 agency - to protect civilians in violent propriate aftercare. it is to deescalate to a point where everyone conflicts through unarmed strategies, build Another helpful tool to act on people’s can be safe instead of further escalating In This Issue peace side by side with local communities. observations and judgment is known as the volatile situations. The training focused on skillsets that can OODA Loop: And, steps to keep in mind when re- Arts 7 be used during community events as well as • Observe: draw from your own observa- sponding to questions and verbal attacks: Books 10-11 for personal safety, or to help out someone tions and information you have collected 1. Center Community 8-9 in distress. from trusted sources 2. Listen Events 12 Paying attention to our own trigger • Orient: Filter and analyze your informa- 3. Affirm Health 9 points, boundaries and anchor points were tion 4. Respond emphasized. Although the process will be • Decide: With your insights, identify the 5. Add History 6 different for each individual, making a habit best available response Anyone with questions or need more Language 4-5 of it is crucial to staying safe in high-stress • Act: act on your decision, evaluate if ac- information can check out NP’s website - News 3 & 5 situations, and to avoid burnout. These tion was correct or report hate crime incidences on toll-free Points of View 8 include: It was pointed out that a distraction to create helpline 1-833-454-0148. Pronouncements 2 • Make time to center yourself the night a moment of pause and ease the conflict may Society 7 before and morning of a protective action be enough to deescalate a situation. Some PAGE 2 / July-August 2021 pronouncements www.chinainsight.info Publisher’s Pronouncements ChinaInsight Greetings: As we gear up for summer, we look to promote COVID-19 vaccinations, see but we will return in September. In the Publisher: forward to a return of normal pre-pandemic page 9. meantime, we hope you enjoy your summer Gregory J. Hugh life. Although the Dragon Festival has an- Also, check out an event to celebrate the and thank you for your continued support. [email protected] nounced that it will not be held this year, you 10th anniversary of Minnesota International Please do not hesitate to contact Elaine should still visit Lake Phalen Park and check Chinese School (MICS) and the founding Dunn or me if you would like to suggest Manager of on the progress of the St. Paul–Changsha of the Chinese Community Center (CCC) a topic or have any comments or ideas to Operations/Circulation: China Friendship Garden of Whispering which, according to the organizers: share on how China Insight can better serve Richard He Willows & Flowing Waters in St. Paul • show the love people have for their home- the community. [email protected] (update article on page 8). Minneapolis has land and community. also announced the return of the Aquatennial • build a platform for children and teenagers Sincerely, so you need to check their website for the to interact and share their creativity Staff Writers: latest details. Hopefully you will be able to • show the dynamic energy of the new gen- Greg Hugh observe 4th of July and should check your eration, and to express well wishes for our [email protected] favorite fireworks location for details of home and community Gregory J. Hugh their celebrations. And, of course, the return • instill in our youth a positive worldview Publisher – CEO Elaine Dunn of “the Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the and set of values with love for country, China Insight, Inc. [email protected] State Fair, is welcome news to many! school and community. As the United States celebrates the 4th The MICS painting and calligraphy of July, China will be celebrating the 100th competition is aimed at promoting culture, Contributors: anniversary of the Chinese Communist creating an interactive platform for youth Beatrice Rothweiler Party as reported in an article by Elaine interested in calligraphy or/and painting, [email protected] Dunn on page 6. to inspire more youth to promote and de- Pat Welsh Last month saw the return of live audi- velop traditional culture through action, to [email protected] ence participation when the CAAM-Chinese increase their enthusiasm for learning, to Dance Theatre took the stage to perform live express themselves, and to build confidence William Zajicek at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. See page and improve together. For additional details [email protected] 9 for article and summer schedule of classes. and how to apply, go to Asian Media Access recently helped https://www.mnchinese.org/international- organize several events that provided safety cup/. Production Editor: training for the Asian community to deal Please note that China Insight will not Jennifer Nordin with the unfortunate rise in Asian-hate publishing a separate issue for August. Our [email protected] incidents (page 1) and an upcoming event hardworking volunteer staff needs a break;

hina 7_8-2021 About C Insight ChinaInsight is a monthly English language newspaper fostering business FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS and cultural harmony between China Getting to know you . . . and the U.S. Who are you? What articles do you enjoy reading? ChinaInsight is a Member of The China Insight would like to ensure our content matches your interests. Please take a few minutes to complete this poll so we can update our Minnesota Chapter of the Asian reader demographics. For your time, the first 10 respondents each month will receive a free annual subscription to China Insight. Winners will American Journalists Association be notified by email. (AAJA). Entry form Submissions &  Please send me free China Insight for a year if I am one of the first 10 respondents this month Correspondence The top two articles that interested me the most in this issue are: ChinaInsight welcomes guest articles Page Article title and letters to the editor. Correspondence Page Article title should be addressed to: I would like to see more articles on ChinaInsight     19 & under  20 - 40  Male Employment Student Self-employed Retired Age Gender 750 Mainstreet, #230   41 - 60  61 & up  Female Status Other (please specify) Hopkins, MN 55343       Employment Education Government Private Industry Ethnicity Asian Caucasian Hispanic Tel: 612-723-4872    Sector Other (please specify) African American Other [email protected] Where did you get this issue of China Insight?

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business opportunities. Copyright 2021 ChinaInsight, Inc. All Rights Reserved. www.chinainsight.info news July-August 2021 / PAGE 3 Swine fever Crypto shuttered northeast to slaughter houses in the south. Chinese officials continue to step up its the crypto-mining industry’s huge energy This, of course, sent pork prices soaring. crackdown on crypto mining and trading. consumption and potential financial risks And according to a bank official, prices may Southwest Chinese cryptocurrency- from speculation resulted in government go up as much as 40 percent in the coming mining hub in Sichuan Province is the agencies increasing oversight of these min- months. Expecting huge profits, some farm- latest target. Earlier targets were located in ing centers. (Note: most mining centers in ers purchased fully grown pigs to fatten Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. According Sichuan uses hydropower.) them up before reselling. to the University of Cambridge, Sichuan Circulated online, documents outline Imports of pork has been ramped up as is China’s second-biggest bitcoin mining plans to shutter all crypto mining sites in well, but only frozen pork. province. the province. On June 18, The Sichuan Some experts blame the mutations of the The territory’s regulatory concerns over Provincial Development and Reform Com- virus on the use of unlicensed (read “fake”) mission and the Sichuan Energy Bureau China is the world’s leading pig herder. vaccines. There has been no internationally issued an order for power providers to stop A new, hard-to-detect strain of African approved vaccine for African swine fever electricity supply to 26 publicly identified swine fever virus started spreading in China. although they are being developed. crypto mining centers to shut them down. A fourth deadly outbreak was detected late Although the situation had improved, a The People’s Bank of China ordered the June. Pig farms across the country are expe- Hong Kong-based agricultural analyst said county’s major financial institutions and riencing mass infection, killing hundreds of it was difficult to foresee a full recovery of mobile payments providers to cut funding hogs on three coastal farms, after authorities the pig industry in China before 2023. An channels to crypto trading centers. had already culled 20,000 animals in an at- African swine fever expert said China will Chinese regulators are now taking a tempt to control the spread early June. be fighting the virus for at least another five uniform approach, which would overhaul Guangdong, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu and years, hindered by new, mutating strains. and rein in the booming Bitcoin mining Shandong provinces as well as Guangxi The hope is that pig farmers will increase industry in China more broadly. Zhuang autonomous region have all report- and improve biosecurity measures on their The value of Bitcoin has tumbled as a ed new outbreaks. Concern is that the dis- farms, which the big farms have already result of China’s crackdown. It sank to a low ease is transmitted along busy trade routes done. Pig transport vehicles also are being of $32,309 from the April high of $65,000! ♦ that take pigs from farms to markets in the cleaned. ♦ Happy birthday . . . Trouble laundry … to the Dalai Lama. He’ll turn 86 on Hong Kong, where airing one’s cleaned July 6! laundry on a rack outside one’s apartment The Minnesota Tibetan artist Tenzin window is common, got one man into hot Ngawang will release the first track from water! his 12-track album “The Buddha Prince” in Police received a report from a pe- time to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday. destrian of a banner with the 2019 protest “The Buddha Prince” is a play celebrat- slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of ing the extraordinary life and teachings of our times” in Chinese drying from a laun- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. It offers a dry rack outside an apartment in Mongkok “very personal view into his coming of age, district. The banner was approximately 50” the difficulties he experienced, the precious x 30” in size. lessons, as well as the sadness he absorbed and share the compassion and kindness Twenty police officers descended on the for his people.” we have learned from his Holiness. Even apartment to “collect the flag” and gather and subversion of state power.” BUT … the The music and the play carry a very though we have so many different races and evidence. The man from the apartment was police did acknowledge they “have no infor- simple message: be kind. Ngawang said his different cultures, we are all human beings, arrested for “uttering seditious words” as the mation on whether it belongs to the man.” music is about loving each other. “I want to brothers and sisters.”♦ government stated the banner wording “has Huh? How’s that for ambiguity and share the story and the culture side of Tibet, connotations with Hong Kong independence waste of taxpayers’ money? G6 Peak trams Space weather The National Space Science Cen- time monitoring capability for ionosphere, ter (NSSC), affiliated with the Chinese middle and upper atmosphere, cosmic Academy of Sciences, said China started rays and geomagnetic field disturbance in building a monitor- North China. The data ing station as part of a will “deepen scien- network to study space tists’ understanding of weather such as solar the formation of space flares, magnetic storms weather events, and and auroral activities. provide scientific and Located in Siziwang data support for reduc- Banner, North China’s ing the impact of di- Inner Mongolia au- sastrous space weather tonomous region, it is events.” expected to be com- Space weather One of Hong Kong’s iconic tourist at- be renovated and refurbished for improved pleted by 2023. events affect the op- traction is shutting down for upgrades – the queueing conditions. When completed at The main detection eration of aerospace, venerable Peak Tram service. It boasts an the end of this year, the Lower Terminus equipment will be a large-scale high-fre- communication and navigation systems. ♦ annual average ridership of 6 million. will accommodate 1300 people comfort- quency radar array. It will provide real- Running since 1888 from the Central ably in a covered, temperature-controlled District to the Peak with four intermediate waiting area. stops, it is one of the world’s oldest funicular Also, as part of the upgrade, there will Education progress railways. Its steep rise (elevation of 1312 ft. be better signage and railings around the The Chinese government released a in approximately 4593 ft.) has even sparked Lower Terminus’ alighting platform. In all, white paper June 24 stating the country’s a study in visual illusion published by Psy- the waiting time for passengers is estimated completion rate of the free nine-year com- chological Science in 2013. to be reduced by 70%. pulsory education was 95.2% in 2020, a The upgrade project will boost ridership The last major upgrade for the service level that is comparable to high-income capacity as long queues currently form at took place in 1989. The current project countries. peak (pun intended) times. Each existing began in 2018 and is all privately funded China's gross enrollment rate in senior tramcar that holds 120 passengers will be by the Peak Tramways Company Ltd. at secondary education was 91.2%, higher than replaced with ones that can accommodate approximately US$90 million. the average of upper-middle-income coun- 210 passengers. The increased length of Tram service was suspended June 28. tries, figures from the white paper showed. the tramcars means a complete change of Those who miss the service can wash down "Vocational education has developed haulage and control systems. New tracks their sorrow with craft beer that comes in a rapidly, and higher education is transitioning will be laid on strengthened foundation and tramcar box set. ♦ from mass access to universal access," the bridges. Both lower and upper terminals will white paper also reported. ♦ PAGE 4 / July-August 2021 language www.chinainsight.info Chinese Language Corner (漢語角) Identity of common things By Pat Welsh | contributor In this lesson, we will look at short casual conversations using language commonly Conversation Three used in speech. We will ask and tell the identity of common things. W: Zhè liăngjiàn dōngxi shì shénme? Again, we’re using the two old friends, Chen (C) and Wang (W) from previous columns (This – is – what?) for the conversations. (The first line, in Italics, is pinyin; second line in parentheses is the What are these two things? literal translation; third is what it means.) In Chinese, each noun is associated with a word often referred to as a “classifier” or a C: Zhèxiē shì liăngbĕn shū. “measure word.” These classifiers are somewhat similar to the English words like “piece” (These – are – two volumes of a - book..) as in “a piece of pie” or “loaf” as in “a loaf of bread”. These are two books. In Chinese, these classifiers are used a little differently than in English. In Chinese classifiers are used between numbers and a noun. Classifiers are also used between words W: Neme, zhège ne? meaning “this”, “that” and “which” and the following noun. There are times when the (This – two-items of – things -are – what?) classifier is used but the noun is absent because it is understood. An example of this is: Well then, what is this? Zhège shì shenme? (Often abbreviated to “Zhè shì shénme?”) This - is – what? C: Nà shì yìzhī máobĭ. What is this? (That – is – one – stick – writing brush.) Nàge shì shénme? (Often abbreviated to “Nà shì shénme?”) That is a writing brush. That - is – what? What is that? Vocabulary - Classifiers Here, the syllable ‘-ge’ is a classifier. Below I have listed several common nouns and their classifiers. The syllable ‘yì’ literally Pinyin English Translation means “one” but it is often used when in English the words “a” or “an” is intended. The syllable that follows “yi” is the classifier for the noun which follows. Notice that before -bă classifier for chairs and things with handles a word uttered in the falling tone, ‘yì’ changes to the rising tone ‘yí’. -bĕn classifier for books and magazines

Pinyin English Pinyin English fèn, -fèr classifier for newspapers and copies of documents -ge classifier for people, also a general classifier yìzhī bĭ a pen yìzhāng zhuōzi a table -shàn classifier for doors and windows yìzhī qiānbĭ a pencil yìbă yĭzi a chair -zhăn classifier for lamps yìzhī máobĭ a writing brush yíshàn mén a door -zhāng classifier for furniture and sheetlike objects yìzhāng zhĭ a sheet of paper yíshàn chuānghu a window classifier for sticklike objects yìbĕn shū a book yìzhăn dēng a lamp -zhī The classifier -ge mentioned above is often referred to as a ‘general classifier’ because yífèn bàozhĭ a newspaper yìcéng dìbăn a floor it will be later shown to work with most nouns. Foreigners who are unsure of which clas- yìbĕn zázhĭ a magazine yíjiàn dōngxī a thing sifier works with a noun that they want to use will often insert -ge instead of the expected classifier because in doing so, they are rarely misunderstood. Conversation One The classifier -ge works with people but when a profession is mentioned such as a In the following dialogs, Old Chen is teaching a young Mr. Wang, a Cantonese speaker, policeman or a doctor, the classifier to use is -wèi as it suggests more respect for the in- Mandarin. dividual mentioned. Tā shì yíwèi yīshēng. (He is a doctor.) W: Zhè shì shénme? (This – is – what?) Pronunciation Reminders What is this? This system follows Chinese Pinyin with the exception that the letter “u” which has C: Zhè shì yìbĕn shū. two pronunciations. Sometimes it has the value of ü (“ee” as in see with rounded lips). At (This – is – one volume of a - book.) those times we use the symbol “ü” instead of Pinyin “u.” In making this sound, it is most This is a book. important that the vowel more resembles an “ee” sound and definitely not sounding like a “oo” sound as in “moon.” W: Zhè shì yìbĕn shū ma? a, an, ang The ‘a’ in these syllables sounds like the ‘a’ in “father.” (This – is - one volume of a – book – spoken question mark) ai Sounds like the ‘igh’ in “high.” Is this a book? ao Sounds like the “ow” in “cow.” cong ts’oong (the ts is aspirated - a slight breath of air follows the ts sound.) C: Búshì, shì yífèn bàozhĭ? de, ke Here the “e” sounds much like the “a” in “above” or the “u” in “under.” (No, it is – one issue of a - newspaper.) ei Sounds like the “ay” in “say” or “day.” No, it isn’t, it’s a newspaper. en, eng Sounds like the “un” in “fun” or the “ung” in “lung.” ian Sounds like “ee-ehn” or “yen” (Here “ehn” and “en” almost sounds like the Conversation Two word “yen.”) W: Zhè shì shénme? le The ‘e’ sounds like the ‘u’ in “fun.” (This – is – what?) -nr This is a nasal ‘r’ sound; yì-diănr sounds almost like yeē-dyăir ̃ or yeè-dyăir.̃ ong The “o” here sounds much like the “oo” in “ooze” or “spoon.” What is this? ou Sounds like the “ou” in “dote” C: Zhè shì yíge rén. qian Sounds “tchee-ehn” (ehn rhymes with “hen.”) (This - is – one (a) - person.) qi Sounds like “chee” in “cheese.” This is a person. qü Sounds like “chee” in “cheese” but uttered with rounded lips. shi Sounds almost like the “shir” in “shirt.” The tongue is retracted and lightly W: Shì ge nánrén ma? curled. (Is one (a) – man – spoken question mark) si Sounds somewhat like sz, the vowel is short, it is between “i” in “it” and “u” Is it a man? in “mut.” ü Sounds much like the “ee” in “see” but the vowel must be uttered with rounded C: Búshì, shì gĕ nürén. lips. (No, is - a - woman.) ui Sounds almost like the English word “way.” No, it is a woman. x Sounds like a weak “sh”; xing sounds like “sheeng.” you Sounds somewhat like the “yo” in “yodel.” z Sounds like a “tz” without any aspiration. Pronouncing this as ‘dz’ betrays Reminder American accent which will still be understood by the listener. In this lesson, we encounter two spoken question marks spoken with the neutral tone. In zi Unaspirated tz, the vowel i is short, it is between “i” in “it” and “u” in “mut.” these cases, their pitch is uttered a little higher than the preceding syllable. Their uses are zh This is an unaspirated “ch” with the tongue retracted and lightly curled. For also different in that ‘-ma’ is used for “yes / no” type questions and ‘ne’ is used for “who example, “zhong” almost sounds like “droong.” / what / where, how and why” type questions. zhi Sounds almost like “djir”. It almost rhymes with “fur.” Continued on page 5 www.chinainsight.info news July-August 2021 / PAGE 5 Farewell to Apple Daily, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy newspaper “Apple Daily would like to thank all of our readers, subscribers, advertisers, and Hongkongers for your loyal support,” the notification read. “Good luck, and goodbye.”

means no press freedom.” life imprisonment. trated, angry and sad because, as one of its However, the HK authorities were spin- On June 21, 2021, the Committee to columnists said, “Apple Daily represents ning their own narrative: Carrie Lam, Hong Protect Journalist (CPJ), a New York-based the vibrant civil society that once existed Kong’s chief executive, told critics not to non-governmental organization, granted in Hong Kong.” “beautify these acts of endangering national its 2021 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award Chairperson of the Hong Kong Journal- security.” Her security chief warned that to Lai to recognize his ''extraordinary and ists’ Association said the closure of Apple those who do not cut ties to the arrested sustained commitment to press freedom.'' Daily signified its historical mission of executives will “regret it very much.” Lam Lai was also awarded the Truman -Reagan safeguarding Hong Kong press freedom … had said in May that her government was Medal of Freedom on June 14. Last Decem- 'the end of an era'' in terms of press freedom, working on “fake news” legislation to tackle ber, he received the Freedom of Press Award and that it was not a good thing for Hong “misinformation, hatred and lies,” which by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. Kong as the paper was sizable and employed was followed by a police pamphlet sent to On June 24, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), a lot of experienced journalists. The Hong Hong Kong-based newsrooms, including introduced a bill to award the Congressional Kong journalism community thinks it’s the New York Times, warning against the Gold Medal to Jimmy Lai and the staff of highly unlikely another paper can fill Apple “wicked and slanderous attacks” on the Apple Daily “for their courage and determi- Daily’s void as the government had sent a police. nation in the face of the Chinese Communist very clear signal to the media not to mess June 24, 2021, Beijing won Round 1. The Global Times, the daily tabloid Party’s tyranny.” with the broad and vague National Security Their “rotten apple” is no more. under the auspices of the Chinese Com- Days leading up to the closure, staff Law, a move that forces journalists to prac- The 26-year-old Apple Daily, Hong munist Party, quoted the general secretary were allowed to resign without the usual tice self-censorship. Kong’s most vocal (and last) pro-democracy of Hong Kong Legal Exchange Foundation one-month notice. They also took steps Sad day for Hong Kong. Sad day for newspaper, printed its last edition (two Louis Chen, “What Apple Daily has done is to protect their sources: shredding notes, journalists. ♦ days earlier than planned) with numerous crystal clear: the paper takes the national se- changing passwords, etc. They felt frus- supporters gathered curity law as nothing outside its headquar- "The forced closure of by continuing violat- ters, braving torrential (Apple Daily) by Hong ing the law and it has rain and waving their gone far beyond ethi- smartphones. Staff Kong authorities is a chill- cal and journalistic journalists responded ing demonstration of their standards.” with their own lit-up campaign to silence all The chilling ef- smartphones from the opposition voices. It is fect of what the na- building. clearer than ever that the tional security law A Reuters reporter has on the future of at the Apple Daily (national security law) is free speech for indi- newsroom reported being used to curtail free- viduals, media and dozens of journalists dom and punish dissent," the business commu- “broke into applause said Dominic Raab, British nity is palpable. The once the final edition Foreign Secretary. New York Times an- was sent to press, and nounced last year its some in tears.” The intention of moving Following Jimmy Lai’s arrest on Aug. 10, 2020, many Hong Kong residents started purchasing the paper as their support for the paper and its owner. print run for the final edition: a million some of its Hong Kong staff out of Hong copies – more than 10 times its normal print Kong. Other international news organiza- run – all sold out by the morning. tions have also planned similar moves. Known for its scathing criticisms of A prominent Hong Kong investor with Chinese Language Corner China’s authoritarian leaders and policies, shares in Next Digital, Apple Daily’s par- the fate of Apple Daily should come as no ent company, was quoted as saying, “When Continued from page 4 surprise. Its office was raided twice, in 10 people as outspoken as me are unwilling to months. Both times involving hundreds of speak on air about this subject, then you can Tones police officers. The first was in August 2020 reasonably infer that they no longer feel safe Using numbers: 5 = your normal high 4 = mid-high 3 = your normal mid pitch and the second, on June 17, 2021, when to speak under the NSL.” 2 = mid low pitch 1 = your normal low pitch five executives (four men and one woman) For decades, Apple Daily has been the were arrested at their homes. This raid was go-to source for entertainment, celebrity Tone Description Notes “sparked by articles appealing for sanctions gossip and life in Hong Kong throughout against Hong Kong and China’s leaders.” the change from British rule to semi-auton- ā High level pitch (55) Regarding tone ă The day of the second raid, June17, a omous SAR status. Apple Daily has been á Mid-Rising Tone (35) • when occurring directly before U.S. State Department spokesperson said controversial, but it had won praises for its ă Dipping (213) another dipping tone, tone ă changes Washington was “broadly concerned by in- political analysis. It had been the most criti- à High falling pitch (51) tone á. Thus “hĕn hăo” (very good) creased efforts by the Hong Kong authorities cal and loudest news organization speaking a An unstressed neutral tone. Following changes to “hén hăo” to use the National Security Law ''to sup- out against China’s encroachment on Hong other syllables, syllables in this tone • occurring directly before any other press independent media, to silence dissent- Kong freedoms. To some Hong Kongers, tend to be somewhat lower that of the tone, Tone ă will change to a mid- ing voices, to stifle freedom of expression.'' buying a copy of Apple Daily has become previous syllable. The lone exception falling tone This is the first incident of arrests made a symbol of a fight against having their is when it occurs after tone ă when the Regarding tone à for media content under the relatively new pre-handover to China ideals being eroded. neutral tone is often slightly higher When occurring before another à national security law. The paper’s union Assets linked to the publication amount- in pitch. tone, the first tone à reduces its fall described the raid as “wanton violation of ing to approximately US$2.3 million were to 53 or 54 ♦ press freedom,” and the paper warned that frozen, essentially choking off its funding. Hong Kong’s press freedoms were “hanging Apple Daily and Next Magazine “folded.” by a thread.” Their content and websites gone. About Pat Welsh Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Apple Daily’s owner, 73-year-old Jim- regional director called Apple Daily’s clo- my Lai, was arrested in 2020, charged with In 2009 while teaching English at Sichuan University, Welsh was asked to give a speech sure “the blackest day for media freedom in national security offences and denied bail, where he was introduced to the audience as a “pioneer of Chinese American relations” as a Hong Kong’s recent history.” is currently serving 20 months in prison for result of his cooperative work in international banking during the Deng Xiaoping era. For more than 65 years, Welsh has been learning Chinese and has used this knowledge both pro- A regular contributor to Apple Daily three unauthorized 2019 protests. He also fessionally and personally to enhance his understanding of Chinese and Asian affairs. He uses and chairman and co-founder of Hong faces additional charges of “conspiring to Beijing Mandarin most frequently when meeting with senior Chinese government officials when Kong Watch said, “I fear if things continue pervert the course of justice” by allegedly conducting business in China. on this current trajectory, Hong Kong will helping an activist flee Hong Kong. He is For 17 years, Welsh taught Chinese, German and Spanish in two local high schools. Now become like another mainland city under set to stand trial in Hong Kong’s High Court fully retired, he currently resides in Georgia where he used to lecture on China to a number of the Chinese Communist Party rule, which this month, where the maximum penalty is classes at Dunwoody High School. PAGE 6 / July-August 2021 history www.chinainsight.info 100 years of the CCP: from rags to riches By Elaine Dunn | June 27, 2021 government, Mao felt threatened and im- Many were dead. Even doctors and ambu- PRESENT mediately halted the campaign. He then lance drivers who arrived to try and help the Fast forward to the present: Beijing launched an “Anti-Rightist” campaign to wounded were shot in cold blood. has a permanent seat on the UN Security identify and punish approximately 300,000 For details such as death count on the Council, a nuclear arsenal, a space program “rightist” intellectuals, effectively silencing Tiananmen Square Massacre, read previous that landed a rover on Mars, the world’s any opposition. issues of China Insight: July 2014, p.4; June largest navy, and the world's second-largest 2019, p. 13. economy. Great Leap Forward (1958- To be fair, there are some positive out- Xi Jinping is China’s most powerful 1962) comes under the CCP as well: leader since Mao Zedong. In November This is possibly one of the worst man- 2012, he was named general secretary of the made disasters in history. Mao wanted Combat Illiteracy Campaign Communist Party, and also became chair- to transform the country from an agrar- (1950-1956) man of the Central Military Commission. ian economy into a Lenin-Marxist-based Before the CCP took power, political He was officially named president of China Beijing is all set for a patriotic celebra- ideological communist “paradise” via com- leaders had banned literacy education for in March 2013. tory extravaganza on the centenary an- munes, and bring industry to rural areas, fear of empowering the non-elites. Xi is a man on a mission. In December niversary of the founding of the Chinese which proved impracticable. When the Communists took over China 2012, he began to purge the CCP of cor- Communist Party (CCP) on July 1. First and In three short years, the abject failure in 1949, the country had an illiteracy rate ruption (anti-graft campaign is front and foremost will be a Partywide campaign on of Mao’s effort caused famine across the of 85-90%. By 1959, illiteracy rates in age center under him: any official who "volun- CCP history and education. country and resulted in 15-55 million deaths group 12-40 had dropped to 43%. tarily surrendered" in Xi's anti-corruption The CCP, both a revolutionary move- by starvation. This campaign was also an important campaign "would be shown leniency" and ment and a political party, is based on the part of the Party’s propaganda effort. It those who did not and continued accepting principles of Marxism and Leninism. It had Cultural Revolution (1966- utilized simple reading materials such as bribes "would be dealt with harshly.") He been the driving force of change in China, 1976) posters with strong political content to not sidelined those in his way. Many believe which has become an “economic jugger- Mao’s stature in the CCP had weakened only teach the peasants how to read and he is hell-bent on rearranging the world naut,” created numerous billionaires and after the failed Great Leap Forward. To “re- write, but also -- successfully – instill revo- order. He believes China should and will millionaires, and lifted many out of poverty. boot,” he launched the Cultural Revolution lutionary ideology. be numero uno. (See China Daily’s article on p. 8.) to preserve Chinese communism and purge Skeptics of this argue that ambition and Under President Xi Jinping, China has any remnant of capitalism and traditional Four Pests Campaign (1958- execution are two quite different things. become powerful and assertive. However, artistry. He organized radicalized youth 1962) More interesting, Xi sees the CCP’s evolv- the CCP has given itself credit for every- into armies of Red Guards who roamed Part of the Great Leap Forward, this ing role in China’s domestic and foreign thing positive that happened in China since the country terrorizing and attacking the was Mao’s public hygiene initiative. It was affairs. According to a July/August 2021 1949. Granted, when the party was founded “bourgeoisie.” a mass effort to eradicate rats, flies, mosqui- Foreign Affairs article, Xi has placed China in 1921, the country was deeply mired in These undisciplined, student-led violent toes and sparrows (because they consume on a risky trajectory: poverty and lacked standing on the inter- marauders turned on teachers, parents and rice and seeds from the fields). “His belief that the CCP must guide the national stage. Contrast the China of today, neighbors. Irreplaceable cultural and histori- An estimate of 1.5 billion rats, 1 billion economy and that Beijing should rein in the it’s safe to say the 1950s-era song, "Without cal artifacts were destroyed in the name of sparrows, 220 million pounds of flies and private sector will constrain the country’s the Communist Party, there would be no new “class struggle.” Millions were persecuted, 24-plus million pounds of mosquitoes were future economic growth. His demand that China" is ever so relevant. executed and/or harassed. exterminated. party cadres adhere to ideological orthodoxy But ruthless Mao regained a “central” However, when it was realized that and demonstrate personal loyalty to him PAST position within the CCP. sparrows also eat insects such as locusts, will undermine the governance system’s In truth, until 1978 when China opened bed bugs took the fourth pest slot in the flexibility and competency.” up to the Western world and adopted its own Even before officially becoming presi- Down to the Countryside campaign. form of capitalism, the CCP had nothing In 1998, the government revived a ver- dent, Xi embarked on an aggressive “Party positive to rave about, only failed social Movement (1968-1978) building” path, reinforcing organizational To divert attention of chaos caused by sion of this campaign; but the fourth slot experiments, all under the Great Helms- was reserved for cockroaches! “resilience” of the CCP at all levels. This man, Mao Zedong. A few most notable the on-going Cultural Revolution, and to included stepped-up political training for failures are: dissolve the Red Guards, Mao started a member candidates, sanctions against and campaign to send urban youth to remote Denounce the Gang of Four imprisonment of corrupt officials, and pro- countryside to “learn from the peasants.” (1976) hibiting ideological intellectual pluralism. Incorporation of Tibet (1950) (Read: reeducation of educated urban youth One month following Mao’s death, Tibet’s incorporation into the People’s Xi sees a limited timeframe to accom- and to wipe out their privileged viewpoints.) the “Gang of Four” – Jiang Qing (Mao’s Republic of China is still a highly charged plish his ambition, given a population that An estimated 17 million young people widow), Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan topic to this day. Tibetans look at it as China is both aging and shrinking. China’s popula- aged 15-23 were relocated from urban and Wang Hongwen -- were denounced. invading their sovereign country. The failed tion is projected to peak in 2029, per The centers to remote rural villages to work. The four played prominent roles in Mao’s uprising against Chinese rule in 1959 forced Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Labeled the “Lost Generation,” these “sent- government, especially during the Cultural the Dalai Lama to flee Tibet. will shrink by 50% by the end of the century. down” youth missed out on pursuing their Revolution. However, they were accused Coupled with an expanding, highly own dreams, job opportunities, further of trying to seize power after his death and Campaign to Suppress educated middle-class who are proficient education at a critical period of their lives, split the Party. They were labeled “counter- in foreign languages and exposed to foreign Counterrevolutionaries (1950- not to mention the lifelong physical and revolutionaries.” culture from media to travels abroad, the 1953) psychological toll The removal of the group from power is CCP’s complete blockage of foreign social This was the CCP’s first political cam- regarded as the end of the Cultural Revolu- media, websites and select media have paign to consolidate Party power and sup- Tiananmen Square Massacre tion. outraged many. press opposition from former Kuomintang (1989) True, new-found prosperity will ensure supporters and intellectuals. Accused “coun- Pro-democracy college students gath- Open-door Policy (1978-1984) a certain domestic stability as more and terrevolutionaries” were denounced in mass ered in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square in April This era speaks volume of U.S. foreign more mainland Chinese have a stake in trials, sentenced to forced labor camps or to mourn the death of and demand a state policy, beginning with the historic visit by maintaining order to protect their accu- executed. An estimated 700,000-2,000,000 funeral for former Party General Secretary President Richard Nixon in 1972. mulated wealth. They’re anxious to keep lives were lost as a result of this campaign. Hu Yaobang, a reformist who advocated re- In December 1978, Deng Xiaoping “taste bitter” in the past. But with higher habilitation of people persecuted during the opened China to foreign businesses. This aspirations in life, it’s only a matter of time The Hundred Flowers Cultural Revolution. They began demands policy allowed China to develop from a they’ll demand “spiritual wealth” instead of Campaign (1956-1957) for greater political freedom. By May, the self-sufficiency-based approach to become a steady diet of CCP propaganda. The CCP based this on a famous slogan number of protesters grew to almost a mil- an active participant in the world market. So, whatever path Xi takes China, he from Chinese classical history, “Let a hun- lion and pushed for the resignations of Party Deng set up Special Economic Zones that has to understand “taste bitter” is NOT dred flowers bloom, and a hundred schools leaders deemed too repressive. allowed modernization of China’s industries something the lǎo bǎi xìng (common folks) of thought contend.” The Party encouraged The government had enough. On the to attract foreign investments. From 1978- will tolerate. His “socialism with Chinese intellectuals and non-party members to morning of June 3, the People’s Liberation 1989, China rose from 32nd to 13th in the characteristics” needs to be mindful of not openly express their opinions of the govern- Army was dispatched to the area to disperse world, based on export volume. bringing China back to being too closed ment and offer advice. the protesters, who now included tens of Deng’s decision to encourage foreign and conservative (as it is now since 1989). When the overwhelming (numbering thousands of workers and ordinary citizens. trade and investments was the turning point Then maybe the new song will be “With- millions of letters) negative responses By the morning of June 4, the square and in China’s economic fortunes. out the CCP and Xi Jinping, there would be materialized denouncing every aspect of streets around the square had been cleared. no Chinese Dream." ♦ www.chinainsight.info arts July-August 2021 / PAGE 7 MOCA received $5 million donation from Mackenzie Scott, reopens July 15 with new exhibit

Chinese Amer- ican heirlooms yet also shined a bright light on the need for collection and preservation. COVID-19's devastation has been particu- larly hard on cultural insti- tutions forced to close their doors to the public. MOCA is pleased to announce that it will reopen to the public on July 15, 2021, with a new ex- hibition titled “Responses: Asian Ameri- can Voices Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott donated Resisting the Tides of Racism.” (Watch $5 million toward the Museum of Chinese the PSA video created by MOCA charting in America’s drive to establish permanent the historical roots of anti-Asian racism in home in New York City. America from 1882 to now.) Mackenzie “For 41 years, MOCA has sought per- Scott’s generous gift will allow MOCA to manence in a home and in the American provide free admission to all. ♦ narrative. Mackenzie Scott’s unrestricted gift amplifies MOCA’s dream to contribute to broadening the American narrative to Society include marginalized and excluded narra- tives. Like too many histories in America, Chinese American creates bilingual card Chinese American journeys have been fundamental to the making of America yet game to reconnect with Asian parents have been sidelined, neglected, or forgot- ten. MOCA’s mission has never been more Source: Russell Leung | Asian American News | June 22, 2021 urgent. As we continue to recover from a devastating 5-alarm fire that damaged the “Parents Are Human.” proving the Chinese largest collection of Chinese American That’s the name of the card game that translations. He also artifacts in the U.S. and resist the tides of Joseph Lam, a Chinese American entrepre- hired his parents to racism against the backdrop of increased neur, co-created with Taiwanese American fulfill orders after anti-AAPI hate crimes stoked by references entrepreneur Candace Wu, Entrepreneur they retired during of a ‘Chinese virus,’ the MOCA team is reports. It’s also a lesson he needed to the pandemic, Lam buoyed by Mackenzie Scott’s belief in our internalize in order to reconnect with his told Entrepreneur. work,” shared MOCA President Nancy Yao own family. According to Maasbach. “MOCA’s permanence will open “One of the most painful things I’ve Lam, their parents the door to research, genealogy, explora- ever admitted is how poorly I treated my cheered on their ef- tions of identity, dialogue, art, and so much parents for over ten years,” Lam wrote in forts to create the more as it contributes to fortifying the true a March blog post. “I knew, deep down, game as well as to potential of the American dream.” that if I didn’t take responsibility for how I reconnect with them. Since its founding in 1980, MOCA treated them and commit to rebuilding our “So much of the has celebrated the Chinese experience in relationship, I would go to my grave with empathy, compas- America by preserving and presenting my inaction as my biggest regret.” sion and understand- more than 200 years of history, ancestry, “Parents Are Human” aims to address a ing I’ve gained for culture, and perspectives. As a social his- complicated issue — reconnecting with your my parents came as tory museum, MOCA presents this largely parents — with a simple setup. The game a result of playing untold narrative and content through four uses bilingual “question” and “action” cards “Parents Are Hu- programming arms: the curation of seasonal to spark conversations and meaningful in- man” with them al- exhibitions; the creation and presentation of teractions between people and their parents. most every week,” educational initiatives; the preservation of Examples of cards include “What was your Lam told Entrepre- the United States’ largest collection of Chi- favorite food growing up?” and “Share or to turn inaction into a serious commitment, neur. nese American artifacts; and the production describe your favorite picture of each other,” both to his parents and to his card game. Lam and Wu have greater plans for the of public programs. according to the game’s website. First, Lam said, he called his parents and game. They are in the midst of developing The past two years have been among Just a $25 bilingual card game that read an apology letter to them. Then, they a mobile app for it and are also working on the most difficult in the museum’s history. helps you start deeper conversations with started spending more time together and versions of the game in languages such as With a team of thirteen full-time members your parents. communicating. He and Wu eventually met Vietnamese and Tagalog. yet a global reach of over four million and a pic.twitter.com/qxTyDRDAxF up in 2019 to discuss their shared experience Just as importantly, though, Lam has visitorship of 50,000, MOCA serves a great — Parents Are Human (@parentsarehu- of bonding with their parents, according to already achieved great personal success with need. On January 23, 2020, MOCA experi- man) April 29, 2021 the game’s website. That conversation led “Parents Are Human.” enced a five-alarm fire at its storied China- After years of taking his anger out on his to the creation of their card game. “For the first time in my life,” he told town building. The fire nearly destroyed the parents, repairing his relationship with them Lam and his co-founder worked with Entrepreneur. “I’m able to work with my museum’s collection of more than 85,000 was daunting, Lam said. But he managed their parents on creating the cards and im- mom and dad.” ♦ PAGE 8 / July-August 2021 community www.chinainsight.info Spring planting at St. Paul–Changsha China Friendship Garden of Whispering Willows & Flowing Waters By William Zajicek | contributor

For two weekends in May, more than As you might imagine, with the early Volunteers hard at work: 33 different volunteers made the first major heat and lack of rain we are experiencing, planting at Garden of Whispering Wil- watering has become a major need for these lows & Flowing Waters. Some volunteers plantings. I welcome any volunteers who showed up on both weekends bringing our care to assist in the watering of the newly total volunteer group to nearly 40 individu- planted trees. If you have a half an hour to als. spare, please contact me at Seven Princess Kay plums were planted [email protected]. by the West Gate Archway. Five North For me, one of the delightful things that Wind maples, two Artic Jade maples, nine happened was spending half a day at the gar- Macopin Eastern white pine, and seven Blue den on my own constructing a water storage Mat junipers were planted around the Xiang unit. I really began to see how people are us- Jiang Pavilion. The Princess Kay plums are ing the garden: A mother came through the in memoriam for Paul Verret of the Kath- pavilion with her children stepping across erine B. Anderson Foundation. Verner was the rocks, an elderly couple wanders by and one of the early supporters for this project thanks me for planting the trees, others came and the Katherine B. Anderson Foundation by standing almost stunned having never has been one of our largest donors. Two seen the garden before and then begin tak- maples were purchased and planted in ing pictures, a woman sat down at the table memoriam of Jerry Mealey, Linda Mealey- and simply looks out for maybe 35 to 45 Lohmann’s late father, and in memory of minutes, a gentleman set up a small sound Kenneth and Patricia Puffer, founders of the system and does Karaoke with a flute to Minnesota branch of the US-China Peoples Asian background music for nearly an hour. Friendship Association. We also saw some Stop by, you just don’t know what you of the peonies planted last fall bloom dur- will run into at the garden. ♦ ing this time.

Completed plantings (for the time being!)

Points of View CPC is the main driver of 'Chinese miracle' Source: Seymur Mammadov | China Daily | June 1, 2021

fervently believe in the sacred foundation of continues to be and remains a socialist coun- from the "hot spots" on the planet and the the Chinese state, its unshakable foundation try with humane positions and care for the policy of self-sufficiency, we will see that - the Communist Party of China. It is this interests of the common man. in the final perspective, an aggressive policy relationship between the leadership of the Together with the creation of the most of imposing the own interests of a number Communist Party and the common people powerful competitive economy in the world, of Western countries, the seizure of new that makes it possible to achieve unique under the leadership of the Communist spheres of influence in other regions does results in all areas of the life. Party, China is successfully implementing not lead to victorious results. According to the PRC, over the past the ideas and directions of socialist politics In this sense, an important socialist eight years, 98.99 million people living in and economics. And they, in turn, make principle of China - close cooperation with rural areas have overcome the poverty line. it possible to successfully realize China's developing countries, the development Zhang Zihan for China Daily And 832 counties and 128 villages have leadership throughout the world. So, for of their human and economic potential A big important date for all of China - the been lifted out of poverty. example, China's policy of non-interference together, finds an important response in 100th anniversary of the country's Commu- However, this is not just a trick or flashy in the affairs of other countries, as well as modern reality. The impulse of global de- nist Party(CPC) this year – is an important statistics, but a prime example of the prin- active assistance to underdeveloped and velopment that Chinese investments brought milestone for the entire Chinese society. ciple of mutual relations. Since 2013, the developing countries, has been recognized to the economies of these countries made it This is the moment when it is worth looking country has invested $ 246 billion in poverty across the world. possible for China to create, in cooperation back at everything that has been achieved eradication. As President Xi Jinping noted, This approach allows China to suc- with these countries, a transnational system and lived, and draw conclusions. starting from the late 70s, 770 million Chi- cessfully coexist in the modern world with of economic relations, the core of which is The current Communist Party of China nese have been lifted out of poverty thanks states with more reactionary politics, while currently Beijing. has 92 million members, while at the dawn to the investment. remaining not involved in world's destruc- Remaining the main socialist power of its creation it had only 50 members. In One of the most deeply thought-out tive political processes, wars that can affect on the planet, adhering to the humanistic that distant 1921, it was unimaginable that strategies of the parties in the foreign and the viability, independence of states, etc. principles and messages developed by the the creation of a new force based on the domestic policy of China in the 90s is the The CCP's strategy rests on higher values Chinese Communist Party, based on the life revolutionary workers' and peasants' move- successful decision of the CCP to develop such as the equality and rights of peoples, and prosperity of an ordinary person, China ment would one day bring to life the very a socialist economy with Chinese charac- the sovereignty of states and their prosperity. is continuously progressing, becoming more "Chinese miracle" that even the most ardent teristics, the use of capitalist mechanisms, The CCP does not consider itself entitled powerful and stronger every day. opponents of China grudgingly admit. the introduction of private property and a to impose its will on some and infringe At the same time, the essence of the tri- market economy. on the rights of others - as, unfortunately, Seymur Mammadov is the director of umph of the Chinese model of development Thus, we can say that, being the most some developed Western countries do. the international expert club EurAsiaAz and is simple - it is based on the sincere love dynamically developing state in the world, However, if we try to analyze this policy editor-in-chief of Azerbaijan's news agency and dedication of the people of China, who using capitalist tools in the economy, China of non-interference, China's equidistance Vzglyad.az. www.chinainsight.info community July-August 2021 / PAGE 9 CAAM Chinese Dance Theater retakes stage at Hopkins Center for the Arts By Beatrice Rothweiler | CAAM Chinese Dance Theater

June 13, a warm summer day, marked top Platinum award, danced across the stage. a new chapter for CAAM Chinese Dance Erica Lee, transplant from Singapore Theater as more than 50 dancers performed with a theater and dance background and at Hopkins Center for the Arts for an en- performing with CAAM Chinese Dance thusiastic live audience -- the first time in Theater for first time, said “What amazing almost 18 months. “Bright Spring, Dazzling enthusiasm from dancers, audience and Dance” captured the hearts of these Chinese the community. I will treasure always this dance lovers, of all age groups in the theater positive experience coming out of COVID.” and, virtually, from as far as Asia even, with Kaimay Yuen Terry, long time CAAM Chi- a resplendent display of performances. nese Dance Theater supporter, brought her Featuring original choreography by new granddaughter. “We loved it! Thank Artistic Director Jinyu Zhou, who is among you so much for bringing us back into the the highest-ranking choreographers in China theater!” Others strongly agree. and formerly with world renown Zhejiang Free performances continue all summer Song and Dance Theater in Hangzhou, many including Fairview Family Festival on June dances expressed classic themes, music and 20, Minnesota Fringe’s “Beyond the Box” stories interpreted for this modern audience. on July 10 and 17, and many more coming. CAAM Chinese Dance Theater embraced Schedule and updates are listed on CAAM the day as a variety of new and seasoned Chinese Dance Theater’s website at dancers, including those who recently cap- www.caamcdt.org and on its Facebook page tured Taoli awards from China, including a at CDTCAAM. ♦ PAGE 10 / July-August 2021 books www.chinainsight.info “Beauty and the East: New Chinese Architecture”

Reviewed by Phuong Phan | Asian Review of Books | June 13, 2021

Publisher: gestalten Publication date: March 2021 Hardcover: 288 pages

From the publisher Inspiring photography of breathtaking architecture structures across mainland China – An objective, honest analysis of the most exciting Chinese architects working in China – A deeper understanding of Chinese culture and design identity through the lens of its architecture.

For the last few decades, China has been other projects are presented side-by-side, China’s searching for an identity is laying architecture, each having an opportunity in the midst of a building boom. Since reflecting the vivid and diverse architectural the groundwork for contemporary Chinese to design one of 20 buildings within the the socio-political changes brought about developments taking place simultaneously architecture to emerge. What we see now unique landscape as a “celebration of Chi- by Chinese economic reforms since 1978, in the country. Each individual project is in Chinese architecture is still in the state nese Tradition in a 21st-Century Art Park.” urbanization and, hence, architecture have marked by the originality in form and ma- of “evolving” and is, according to Wang Wishing to counteract cheap and repetitive accelerated. The country’s rapid growth has terial, creativity in redefining spaces and Yun, director of Beijing University of Civil architecture, the leftovers of the 1990s, the been accompanied by unprecedented change sensibility for the ecological and economic Engineering and Architecture Graduate aim is to break the mold of China’s rush by in the built landscape. At the same time, condition and landscapes. School of Architecture Design and Art, and creating architecture of contemplation and the possibility of building at unprecedented The most evident element binding these founder of Atelier Fronti, “in the process of deceleration. scales has been accompanied by a freedom seemingly different projects is the intellec- transitioning to a stable style, which gives The essay contributed by Wang Shu, the to experience with architectural forms. tual approach toward a “new” architecture rise to diverse styles that are necessary for first Chinese architect to win the Pritzker Today, Chinese architecture is no longer which is, unlike before, shaped by a growing reaching a consensus in the future.” Prize, makes clear how the dramatic social determined by generic high-rise buildings emphasis on the value of heritage preserva- The essays raise another aspect, often and political transformation and economic as it was just 15 years ago, but has rather tion, an attempt to rediscover vernacular missing in Europe: the plan, regulated by reform of the country has also played a been transformed by a generation of inde- architecture and an awareness of ancient the Chinese government in the interests of crucial role in the experimental phase of ar- pendent architects whose work is defined landscape. making the best use of its vast territory, of chitectural development. Since 1949, 2000 by an awareness of traditional values, an Triggered by the rapid urbanization and taking into consideration the nation’s rural design institutes owned or supervised by the engagement with the landscape and an the consequent demolition of old towns, areas into the process of urban development. state have been controlling, analyzing and eagerness to find a new “Chinese identity” or merely fed up with foreign influences Most of the projects presented here have overseeing the state’s need for rapid large- for contemporary architecture. and mainstream monstrous skyscrapers, taken place in villages and city outskirts, scale infrastructural and architectural con- “Beauty and the East: New Chinese contemporary Chinese architecture now going hand in hand with intensive investiga- struction. After China’s opening, overseas Architecture” brings together a vast array of gives attention to urban regeneration and tions on the economic and social status quo contractors and consultants were allowed architectural projects that have been sprout- traditional values. This approach comes at of each area, or as Zen Qun, chief architect to work in the country as it prepared to join ing all over China in the last few years. a time when the Chinese president Xi Jin- of Tongji Architectural Design, puts it the world trade organization in 2001. This From the first page to the last, art museums, ping has called for an end to what he calls has been a pivotal year that opened many private houses, smart housing, communal “weird architecture” influenced by foreign It is a crucial topic for architects on opportunities and challenges for local design libraries and public toilets among many architects. His call reflected on the fact that how to integrate architecture with con- institutes, and offered up new ideas, know- temporary society. Integration comes how and methodologies from the West as it first, and then we start to talk about boosted increasing competition from local individuality and creativity, and about independent architects that emerged since ourselves. the 1990s. The essay gives the impression Call for Articles… that this symbiotic relationship of the State- Many projects by the new generation of owned institutes and the private practices is Concerned about misconceptions about China? independent Chinese architects are driven pushing Chinese contemporary architecture by an idea of the social function of architec- forward. ture as they aim to bolster rural village life By some estimates, almost half of the ChinaInsight is a local newspaper fostering U.S.-China and a regeneration of a communal amenity. world’s construction will take place in China cultural and business harmony. By doing so, they also respond accordingly in the coming decade, and in the 21st cen- to the State’s agenda of an integration of tury, China might build more urban fabric rural areas into the urbanization and mod- than humanity has ever built before. The We are interested in publishing articles that engage ernization projects. projects collected in this book might serve audiences in America. Potential topics range from The allocation of contemporary archi- as appetizers as to what is coming next in tectural creations to rural areas is not only East Asia. Although China’s on-going and understanding daily life in China (or for Chinese in encouraged by the government but also rapid transformation is a source of uncer- America) to discussions of business markets from supported by private entrepreneurs. On the tainty regarding architectural development, both an American or Chinese viewpoint. outskirts of Nanjing, the ancient capital of it also provides a solid foundation for new Jiangsu, the Sifang Art Park arose in 2003, creations, approaches and discourses; the a project run by the local businessman Lu West will have some catching up to do. ♦ If you would like to contribute an article, please Jun and his art collector son Lu Xun. The Art Park includes works of the New York About the reviewer contact Greg Hugh at 612-723-4872 or email architect Steven Holl, Ghanaian-British [email protected]. David Adjaye, dissident artists Ai Weiwei Phuong Phan is an art and architec- and Wang Shu among two-dozen of the tural historian based in Berlin. biggest names in international and Chinese www.chinainsight.info books July-August 2021 / PAGE 11 “Market Maoists: The Communist Origins of China’s Capitalist Ascent” by Jason M. Kelly

Reviewed by Tim Sifert | Asian Review of Books | June 21, 2021

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Jason M. Kelly is assistant professor at the U.S. Naval War College and wellsfargo.com associate in research at the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Har- vard University. He was previously a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. © 2021 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. IHA-7023701 MOD: 1089 Embassy in Beijing.

The question of how a state committed who embodied the imperialist aggression the unlucky cadre who strikes the wrong was so politically and economically sensi- to Communism became the world’s biggest that Mao’s China aimed to crush? balance between these contradictory im- tive that each day China Resources sent a trading nation in markets dominated largely pulses?” Kelly asks at one point. “Nobody courier across the border to Shenzhen to by capitalist countries, controlling industries A short answer is that the Party had seemed to know.” Later, he shows the ter- brief the foreign trade ministry in person, and setting prices, has long been puzzling. little choice. Commercial and diplomatic rible repercussions that several men eventu- the privacy of Hong Kong phone lines being Author Jason M Kelly, in “Market Maoists,” relations with the Soviet Union soured, and ally suffered as a result of their association rather suspect. provides a sober, detailed account of the the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural with foreign capitalism. Kelly, who’s also an associate in re- way modern China came to see that global Revolution were disasters. China, as Kelly Some seeds of the Party’s own long re- search at Harvard’s Fairbank Center for trade could be a way to “fortify socialism tells it, also found trade could be faster and lationship with global markets were planted Chinese Studies, argues that studying trade … rather than degrade it.” smoother with capitalist-minded nations after the United Front alliance was formed during the Mao era is more important than Subtitled “The Communist Origins and corporations, which, like today, were against the Japanese in the 1930s and the the comparatively small volumes would of China’s Capitalist Ascent,” the book extremely eager to access the mainland CCP was allowed openly to operate fund- indicate. “These deals,” he writes, traces the Party’s reliance on trade with market (whatever its politics). ing offices in Nationalist-controlled areas. also served as sites for the exchange non-socialist countries back before the na- Kelly nicely charts the budding trade Although the shaky alliance didn’t last, by of ideas, habits, and beliefs, and as venues tion’s founding and shows that many levers relationships between the CCP and certain the end of the war, the Communists had where individuals, institutions, and the of foreign commerce were intact well ahead foreign countries amid the 1950s U.S. more than 50 such outposts that would be logics that guided them formed subtle but of the vaunted “Reform and Opening” in embargo. New connections started to form used “for trade with large mainland markets lasting legacies. the late 1970s. The ability to read global on the sidelines of conferences in Moscow and, ultimately, overseas markets as well.” markets for rice and wheat, technology and in 1952 and in Geneva two years later, and Hong Kong was a milestone in this China Resources, for its part, has currency, for instance, and to know how China recast its bureaucracies and shifted regard. Kelly describes a “forgotten but become a conglomerate with 371,000 em- and when to walk and talk like a “capitalist its strategies accordingly. To help meet the fateful” meeting where Zhou Enlai asked ployees, eight Hong Kong-listed entities imperialist,” took decades to develop. lofty targets of the second five-year plan, a Britain’s ambassador to Nationalist China to and stakes in foreign firms including Dutch The book’s roughly 200 well-researched foreign trade directory, similar to the Sears allow the CCP to open up shop in the colony. Heineken and Swedish Oatly. pages of narrative, plus another 100 or so of Catalog, was introduced, replete with ad- In early 1938, after some debate, an office The Four-Three Program, the book notes and index, focus on many of the CCP’s vertisements. An amusing ad reproduced in at 18 Queen’s Road Central was founded shows, was itself a commercial success. All biggest decisions and debates on economy the book touts dress shirts with a “scientific with Britain’s approval. The office, despite of the 26 large industrial projects mooted and trade up until about 1973, when the collar” and features an insignia very similar having signage for a teashop, proved too in the 1973 plan were completed by 1982. Four-Three Program was ratified. In the to one still used today for Kool menthol conspicuous to last. Yet lessons were learned The facilities were imported from “capitalist words of the author, an assistant professor cigarettes in the U.S. about business dealings abroad. states,” including the U.S. at the U.S. Naval War College, this plan With extensive quotes and citations Another firm, set up a few hundred Kelly writes that it wasn’t long before amounted to a “colossal buying spree” of from archives — some of which, he says, meters from the false front — Liow & then that the Party aimed to participate in technology and equipment from capitalist were never before sourced by historians — Company — seemed to take heed. Run by markets mainly as a way to “hasten the countries. Kelly describes the tortuous process behind Qin Bangli, who had the “budding paunch demise of capitalism itself.” “Market Mao- It definitely didn’t jibe with Communist many of the decisions to do deals with the of a bourgeois climber,” the company sur- ists” helps explain how this didn’t quite Party rhetoric: so-called enemy. The book illustrates and vived and, after it changed its name to China work out. ♦ analyzes exchanges between key men, Resources in 1948, was a linchpin in the Beset by the xenophobia of the Cul- including Zhou Enlai, Chen Yun, Li Xian- country’s engagement with global markets. tural Revolution and devoted to an anti- nian and Mao Zedong. While some of the Faced with “the prospect of mass star- About the reviewer imperialist, socialist, and revolutionary interpretations felt perhaps a little overdone, vation at home,” Party cadres turned to path to modernity, how was it that this Kelly conveys what a highwire act it must this Hong Kong firm around 1960 to work Timothy Sifert is an American writer. China aspired to a multibillion-dollar have been to conduct business on Mao’s out the logistics of importing hundreds of He's worked as a journalist in Hong trade program with the very capitalists watch. “What consequences might befall thousands of tons of “capitalist grain.” It Kong, New York, London and Warsaw.

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