China Dreams

• Other Authors: Golley, Jane (Editor), Jaivin, Linda (Editor), Hillman, Ben (Editor), Strange, Sharon (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: ANU Press 2020
• Subjects: China; International relations; politics and government; foreign relations; Hong Kong; AI; technology; education; Tibet; trust
• Online Access: OAPEN Library: download the publication; OAPEN Library: description of the publication

"The year 2019 marked a number of significant anniversaries for the People's Republic of China (PRC), each representing different 'Chinese dreams'. There was the centennial of the May Fourth Movement - a dream of patriotism and cultural renewal. The PRC celebrated its seventieth anniversary - a dream of revolution and national strength. It was also thirty years since the student-led Protest Movement of 1989 - dreams of democracy and free expression crushed by government dreams of unity and stability. Many of these 'dreams' recurred in new guises in 2019. President Xi Jinping tightened his grip on power at home while calling for all citizens to 'defend China's honour abroad'. Escalating violence in Hong Kong, the ongoing suppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, and deteriorating Sino-US relations dominated the headlines. Alongside stories about China's advances in artificial intelligence and geneticially modified babies and its ambitions in the Antarctic and outer space, these issues fuelled discussion about what Xi's own 'China Dream' of national rejuvenation means for Chinese citizens and the rest of the world. The China Story Yearbook: China Dreams reflects on these issues and more. It surveys the dreams, illusions, aspirations, and nightmares that coexisted (and clashed) in 2019 in China and beyond. As ever, we take a cross-disciplinary perspective that recognises the inextricable links between economy, politics, culture, history, language, and society. The Yearbook, with its accessible analysis of the main events and trends of the year, is an essential tool for understanding China's growing power and influence around the world."