Modern China Research Articles

For the greater good: modern China’s struggle on housing shortage

The examination of housing shortages in China presents a fascinating subject that is rarely directly addressed. This topic not only captures our interest due to the irony in a communist country but also in light of the profound transformation of Chinese society, evolving from an agrarian civilization to a modern industrialized state. The objective of this essay is to establish a comprehensive framework that encompasses economic, social, and architectural narratives as an integrated whole. This essay delves into the historical trajectory of housing shortages in modern China, tracing the evolution of this issue within Chinese society since the founding of the communist regime in 1949. Given China’s unique industrial and residential policy framework, housing provision is intrinsically linked to state-owned factories and residential certification, commonly referred to as hukou. As the political and economic foundations have shifted over time, so too has the root cause of housing shortages. In addition to general historical and theoretical research, we have undertaken an in-depth examination of Lanxi City, one of the industrial clusters established in China. The case study of Lanxi City involves a series of visits and interviews conducted within local factories and communities. Our analysis identifies two distinct phases in this evolution: the “fundamentalist communist era” and the transitional period toward a market economy. Each of these eras can be further subdivided into four distinct phases, providing a more nuanced perspective. Our findings reveal that various housing distribution mechanisms have contributed to the issue of housing shortages. During the first era, housing shortages were primarily a result of hukou restrictions, industrial disparities, sluggish construction processes, and corporate profit considerations. In the latter phase, spanning the 1980s and 1990s, housing shortages were exacerbated by escalating costs and a slow rate of housing unit replenishment. As the new millennium unfolded, real estate bubbles compounded the housing crisis, with older neighborhoods ill-suited for modern living. Our interviews and visits complemented our literature research, offering valuable insights into the systemic exploitation of specific groups in pursuit of broader goals, hence the title. This paper underscores the housing shortage in China as a consequence of economic disparities between urban and rural regions, as well as between the prosperous East coast and the underdeveloped West hinterland.

Two worlds apart: a qualitative study of culture-led rural regeneration projects in China

ABSTRACT The urban–rural gap remains to be one fundamental inequality in modern China; however, the symbolic boundary derived from such socioeconomic inequality is less examined. Centre on two parallel initiatives aimed at cultural empowerment for rural China—independent bookstores and public-subsidized libraries—this study tries to explicate the multidimensional nature of boundaries and emphasize the cultural mechanism of boundary reproduction under institutional layering environment. We draw from policy trajectories, media discourse, and first-hand interviews in two villages, and reveal that despite the idealized portrayal of bookstores as a public cultural centre for empowerment, the symbolic construction wielded by cultural entrepreneurs is not sufficient in dissolving social differences in a digitalized society. Local villagers are not part of the “cultural consumption as identity building” ritual therefore being excluded from an urban-and-consumption culture-oriented space. Moreover, local villagers adopt differentiated interpretive strategies towards culture-led regeneration projects, so that “rural culture” is merely the swirl of an empty signal in Baudrillard’s sense that does not bear the symbolic efficacy promoted by top-down initiatives.

The Translational Turn and the Dual Pressures on Chinese Literary Studies

Abstract Whereas sinology, or the study of Chinese literature in English, has often been identifiable by a Chinese culturism, or belief in Chinese civilization as a coherent whole united by its writing system, this review article looks at five books that could be described as participating in a “translational turn” in Chinese literary studies. Yet even as they make powerful arguments against the fundamental unity and cohesiveness of a diachronic Chinese cultural-political identity in their translingual and translational approaches to scholarship, the books—Carla Nappi’s Translating Early Modern China (2021), Haun Saussy’s The Making of Barbarians (2022), Tze-Yin Teo’s If Babel Had A Form (2022), Yunte Huang’s Chinese Whispers (2022), and Nan Z. Da’s Intransitive Encounter (2018)—risk taking for granted the longevity of China’s participation in globalization and its economic integration with the United States. In light of current changes to the relationship between China, the US, and the world order, this review article reads these books while attempting to think through the gains and pitfalls of the translational turn in Chinese literary studies.

Understanding Chinese Governance by Critiquing ‘Religion’

Abstract As an indirect response to Galen Watts and Sharday Mosurinjohn’s “Can Critical Religion Play by Its Own Rules?” this article aims to explicate what ‘critical religion’ as a distinct theoretical framework means for the author in terms of how it has provided them a critical framework for understanding the history of China, especially its transition of self-identification from tianxia (天下, all under Heaven) to a secular nation state, and some of its pressing ‘religious’ issues today. Upon the identification of a postcolonial condition in modern China where the indigenous elite have uncritically accepted ‘religion’ and other interdependently arisen modern categories, not only will the differentiation between ‘Chinese religion’ and ‘Chinese politics’ be demonstrated as an illusion, but ‘negotiating religion’ will be proved by means of two case studies as a more adequate approach to understanding the governance by the Chinese Communist Party in contemporary China.

Leaves, Silkworms, Yue Fei: Ways of Imagining the Territory in 1930s China

Abstract: During the Nationalist period (1928–1949) in China, the notion that China’s territory mirrors the shape of a begonia or a mulberry leaf gained wide recognition. This analogy ingrained itself into public perceptions of modern China’s boundaries and was often assumed without question. As foreign forces—symbolized by silk-worms—encroached upon the leaf-like territory, the leaf trope emerged as a platform for various patriotic appeals during wartime. This research explores the evolution of the leaf trope for China’s territory in the 1930s, probing the historical and cultural connotations embedded in it. The discussion expands to incorporate intellectual resources associated with the Song-era military commander Yue Fei and the leaf trope, as they jointly influenced the portrayal of China’s territory across textual and visual mediums. In this light, territorial conceptualizations in modern China were shaped by ideological constructs envisioning a future rooted in the past.

샤오훙 단편소설에 나타난 비극성 연구

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the tragic elements in the short stories “Wangasujeoksa,” “Gyo,” and “Soseongsamwol” by Xiao Hong. All three works connect their characters to the tragedy of death. This reflects how, despite China's attempts at new progress and innovation through the Xinhai Revolution and the May Fourth Movement in the early 20th century, lower-class women remained in poverty and became victims of an irrational social structure. This study aims to examine the tragedy in Xiao Hong's short stories within the unique historical context of China's modern and contemporary era. In particular, her short stories such as “Wangasujeoksa,” “Gyo,” and “Soseongsamwol” depict characters who, amidst the backdrop of China's transition during the modern and contemporary era, all meet tragic ends, succumbing to poverty, despair, misfortune, and suffering. Therefore, it seeks to explore the tragedy in the context of Chinese modern history by examining Xiao Hong's tragic worldview, her consciousness of tragedy, and the tragic experiences of her characters. If the previous research analyzed the tragedy in Xiao Hong's mid-length novels, this study focuses on the tragedy depicted in Xiao Hong's short stories within the context of modern and contemporary China. This research aims to find ways to study Xiao Hong's short stories from various perspectives.

중일(中日) 근대문예론의 형성과 그 이동(異同)에 관한 소고(小考)

This paper attempts to compare the literary theory of Tsubouchi Shoyo(坪內逍遙), which was developed from the 'arts-the arts' examined throughout Wang Guowei's(王國維) literary theory, and Wang Guei's literary theory, which was established as the early modern Japanese literary theory. As Tsubouchi Shoyo's first statement, 'Novels are art(美術)' in 『Shosetsu Shinzui(小說神髓)』 opened the chapter of modern Japanese literary theory, this paper aims to explore Wang Guowei's literary theories in relation to the formation of modern literary theory in China. Therefore, in the case of the formation of Japanese modern art theory, Tsubouchi Shoyo's use of Western literary theory and logic in his own way within the magnetic field of pragmatic thought and literary dance theory that spread throughout Japanese society in the 1880s, while building a literary theory that incorporated the discourse of the Japanese art world at the time, was used as a guide to examine the formation of Chinese modern art theory and Wang Guowei's literary theory treatise. This was further utilized to examine the shifts in the theses that were common to their literary theories. In fact, the formation environment of Sino-Japanese modern literary theory was different in terms of its reception and paragraph situation according to the way the two countries experienced modern East Asia, but there are also similar points. It is also true that Wang Guowei's and Tsubouchi Shoyo's views and arguments on the literary arts developed in very different ways after they published their literary theory works and related papers, depending on their respective life trajectories and the circumstances of their respective countries. Nevertheless, neither Tsubouchi Shoyo nor Wang Guowei built a separate literary theory that completely excluded the dominant discourse in the academic and literary circles of their time. Rather, Wang Guowei, who studied a wide range of disciplines, including mathematics and natural sciences, could be said to have been more attuned to and thought about the axioms of modern China's time and built his literary theories in response to them.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Influencing Factors of Urban Industry in Modern China (1840–1949): A Case Study of Nanjing

In modern China, industrialization has formed a critical foundation for the transition to modernization. However, the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and driving mechanisms of urban industrial development in Nanjing from 1840 to 1949 remain unclear. Based on textual historical sources, this study examined the spatiotemporal patterns of urban industrial development in Nanjing from 1840 to 1949 by using spatial analysis methods, GeoDetector, regression models and industrial structure indices. The results reveal the following: (1) The overall spatial distribution pattern of the industry in modern Nanjing exhibited a “one main, one secondary” dual-center “ladle-shaped” arrangement. Over time, industry has expanded from the urban center toward the east and north. (2) The modernization level of different industries was uneven, exhibiting a “center-periphery” spatial pattern. (3) At the micro level, transportation and population density were the primary influencing factors for industrial location, whereas at the macro level, government intervention mainly affected the industrialization pattern. (4) The industrial development pattern in modern Nanjing, in alignment with the “pole-axis” spatial system, serves as a microcosm of China’s urban modernization transition. This study represents the application of GIS methods in the humanities and provides valuable insights for urban planning and development.

Влияние старения населения на модернизацию сельского хозяйства и развитие территорий провинций в Китае

This article delves into the influence of population aging on the modernization of agriculture and rural territories in China. It highlights the profound demographic challenge faced by modern China, characterized by wide-spread population aging. The issue is particularly acute in rural areas, where rapid urbanization and industriali-zation have depleted the working-age population significantly. Concurrently, agriculture remains a vital sector of China’s economy, necessitating urgent modernization efforts. However, this process is fraught with uncer-tainty due to the complex demographic landscape. The article provides an overview of the current rural situa-tion, offers the author’s insights into the root causes of the crisis, and formulates a series of recommendations for its resolution. In conclusion, addressing the impact of population aging on agricultural modernization and rural development in China’s provinces requires a multifaceted approach. It is crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by rural areas, such as the depletion of the working-age population and the need for agricul-tural modernization. Implementing targeted policies and programs that encourage innovation, improve rural infrastructure, and provide support for aging populations can help mitigate these challenges. Additionally, fos-tering collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, and local communities is essential for developing sustainable solutions. By addressing these issues, China can overcome the challenges posed by population aging and ensure the continued growth and development of its rural areas.

The Role of Parent Schools in Strengthening Traditional Family Values in China

For modern Russia, the most important task is to strengthen the institution of the family and traditional values. The growing up of children in the last decade has taken place in the information field of propaganda in Western countries, which requires prompt measures to create a system of education, involving parents in this process is not a trivial task. The experience of China in recent decades in creating a network of parent schools is a valuable object of study. The purpose of the article is to analyze the phenomenon of parent schools in the PRC as a developing pedagogical system, to identify the principles for the formation of content and methods for organizing education and training of parents. Methodology and research methods. Based on a systematic, historical, cultural and comparative approach, an analysis of legislative acts, monographic, scientific and methodological sources reflecting the work of parental schools in the PRC was carried out. The results of the study show that parental schools in modern China are a developing pedagogical system that has gone through three stages in its development: from setting a strategic state order to science and educational authorities, through scientific, organizational and methodological support for the work of schools to the present state of a large-scale all-China network with the active involvement of parents in its development. It was revealed that parental schools as a system in the PRC are developing in several directions: scaling (increasing accessibility), standardization (improving quality) and involvement (increasing the active citizenship of parents). While coinciding with the global trend of educating parents in the form of consulting-seminar and training sessions, the Chinese specificity of the principles for selecting the content of education was found, based on the moral postulates of Confucianism, taking into account the socio-cultural specifics of the local parental community. In conclusion, the important role of parental schools is emphasized in terms of the strategic goals of the state to strengthen the institution of the family and prevent deformations of the youth worldview by consolidating the family and the school in the upbringing and education of minors, where the involvement of parents is a necessary condition. The authors identify the strengths of parental schools as an institutional form of the process of educating traditional family values in the PRC, among them reliance on a clear moral core in determining the content of parental education based on the philosophy of Confucianism, scientific and methodological support from scientists, regulatory and organizational support from the state in the form of standardization of functioning.

Study on the Current Status of China's Road to the Rule of Law and Countermeasures

The purpose of this thesis is to study the current situation of China's rule of law road and countermeasures, and to put forward corresponding recommendations. Firstly, the historical evolution of China's rule of law path is analysed, including the characteristics of the rule of law in ancient times, the beginning of the rule of law path in modern China and the current development of the rule of law. Then, the progress and achievements of China's rule of law construction are discussed, covering the formulation and improvement of laws and regulations, the advancement of the reform of the judicial system, as well as the enhancement of civic awareness and the popularisation of the concept of the rule of law. Then, the problems and challenges facing China's rule of law road are pointed out, including the imperfections in the implementation of laws and the lack of enforcement, the problems of judicial justice and judicial independence, the insufficient protection of citizens' rights and the lack of rule of law culture. Finally, countermeasures are proposed to strengthen the construction of the legal system, improve the judicial system, raise the level of civil rights protection and cultivate a culture of the rule of law. Through these countermeasures, the development of China's rule of law road can be further promoted, the level of the rule of law can be improved, and a strong guarantee can be provided for social stability and sustainable development.

“The Principle of Livelihood” by Sun Yat-sen and Its Significance for Social Justice and Happiness Values in Vietnam Today

This paper explores the “Three Principles of the People” described by Sun Yat-sen, known as the founder of modern China. In his political manifesto, he laid out the revolution’s objectives against the Qing dynasty and established the groundwork for a modern China. We apply Sun Yat-sen’s theory to advocate our beliefs for the betterment of the Vietnamese people. This paper analyzes and applies the “Principle of Livelihood,” the third principle of Sun Yat-sen’s doctrine, and aims to achieve social welfare and happiness. We examine its role in bringing about a new era of independence, freedom, and happiness in Vietnam’s history.
 By using these concepts to understand Vietnamese values of happiness, we can comprehend the importance of Sun Yat-sen’s views, which are crucial to Vietnam’s current state of independence, freedom, wealth, and happiness.

The Power of Print in Modern China: Intellectuals and Industrial Publishing from the End of Empire to Maoist State Socialism, Robert Culp (2019)

Review of: The Power of Print in Modern China: Intellectuals and Industrial Publishing from the End of Empire to Maoist State Socialism, Robert Culp (2019) New York: Columbia University Press, 392 pp., ISBN 978-0-23118-416-8, h/bk, $65.00

Clothing as a sociocultural phenomenon (based on materials from modern China)

The object of the study is clothing as a sociocultural phenomenon, a product of material and spiritual cultures. The evolution of clothing is closely related to sociocultural changes in society. The subject of the study is the transformation of clothing in China under the influence of political, economic, social, and aesthetic factors after the beginning of Chinese economic reform and opening up policy. The significant changes have taken place in Chinese clothing, the main of which was the transition from a uniform style of clothing for the whole country to a variety of fashion and styles, as well as the revival of traditional clothing. The transformation in the style and production cycle of clothing in China is based on objective (technology development, market laws, global fashion trends) and subjective reasons (psychology, personal preferences and aesthetic tastes of consumers). There is always a concept behind the behavior in clothes, and the desire for beauty is the main driving force behind the development of clothing. The social psychology of imitation and difference contributes to the spread of fashion trends in clothing. The author's special contribution to the topic is a detailed examination of the impact on the transformation of clothing of political, economic, sociocultural, aesthetic factors, as well as cultural exchanges and folk traditions. The author traces the sequence of fashion trends in China in recent decades. Сontemporary changes in Chinese clothing culture are not limited to simply borrowing Western trends, but are accompanied by the emergence of postmodern ideas and the promotion of the globalization process, which leads not only to the technological and design enrichment of clothing characteristics in China, but also to the growth of cultural awareness and the revivalization of traditional and local cultures.

Walking in “Masses and Elites”: Investigation into Donald MacGillivray’s Missionary Strategies in China (1888–1930)

From his arrival in China in 1888 to his departure in 1930, Canadian missionary, Donald MacGillivray (季理斐), was in China for more than 40 years. According to changes in the Chinese missionary situation, the key target of his mission was frequently adjusted. From his initial work in the early days in North Honan, to his work with officials and intellectuals in Shanghai in the late Qing Dynasty, then to students, women, and children in the Republic of China, Donald MacGillivray continued to preach to both the masses and the elites. His approach was flexible, ranging from oral preaching to academic publications. Relying on his interpersonal network, MacGillivray paid close attention to the social changes occurring in modern China. An evaluation of his activities in China can not only reveal the impact of individual missionaries in the process of Western learning and the transformation of Chinese knowledge in modern times, but also provide insight into the integration of Christianity into the indigenization process of China.

Current business strategies in the industrial development of modern China

Current business strategies in the industrial development of modern China

世界历史理论视域下《马克思恩格斯论中国》对新时代建设“人类命运共同体”的启示

Abstract: Makesi Engesi Lun Zhongguo explains the formation of modern world history and explores the development path of modern China from an international perspective. The world historical theory reflected in its discussion provides us with Basically theoretical perspective under historical materialism to elaborate on the construction of the “community with a shared future for mankind” in the new era. This article first analyzes the academic logic of the formation of Marx and Engels’ world history theory, and then elaborates on the theoretical basis and practical exploration of building the “community with a shared future for mankind” under the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. It believes that the “community with a shared future for mankind” is the application of world history theory. The theory’s serious criticism of the capitalist logic in the past international political and economic order and the sublimation of the goal of “common values for all mankind” are the inheritance and innovative development of Marxist historical materialism and the concept of “community”. Makesi Engesi Lun Zhongguo has important enlightenment and reference significance for building the contemporary “community with a shared future for mankind”.

Introduction of Western Medicines into China and Improvement on Decoctions during Modern China

Abstract: During the late Qing dynasty (1840 A.D.-1912 A.D.), a large quantity of Western medicines entered China, which continuously impacted the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) market and revealed the shortcomings of Chinese medicines. Some personages in the TCM community followed the trend of learning from the West, and attempted to reform TCM, with the improvement on decoction becoming an important aspect of this effort. Through debates and trials, the improvement on decoction underwent three stages of conceptual evolution: “taking Chinese medicines as the foundation and referring to the dosage forms of Western medicines”, “introducing Western techniques to serve the preparation of decoctions” and “integrating the theories of TCM and Western medicine to improve decoctions”. The study on the improvement on decoction highlights the effective complementarity between modern TCM and Western medicine in the field of pharmacy, and provides valuable experience and support for the reevaluation of the value of TCM in contemporary society.

Research on the Coupled and Coordinated Development and Optimization Path of Low Carbon Economy and New Urbanization

Currently, China has entered a stage of high-quality development, and urbanization is an important issue in China's modernization process. Urbanization faces many challenges such as food security, resource and energy shortages, and environmental pollution. To solve this problem, we must take a new path of sustainable development towards urbanization. The new type of urbanization adheres to the principle of people-oriented, taking the path of green, circular, and low-carbon. It can unleash huge domestic demand potential and is an important driving force for the healthy and high-quality development of China's economy and society. A low-carbon economy emphasizes increasing energy output, reducing energy consumption and pollution, thereby reducing emissions and improving economic benefits. Low carbon economy is not only a new economic form and development model in the era of ecological civilization, but also the best economic form and development model for the construction of new urbanization.

Evaluating cultural ecosystem services in China's modern historic parks: A sentiment computing approach

China's modern historic parks (MHPs) are a subcategory of modern heritage, yet their values remain underappreciated. Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) provide a holistic framework to assess MHPs’ values. However, evaluating CESs remains a challenge due to their intangible nature, subjectivity, and the imperative of public involvement. Few studies focused on CES perception in MHPs. In response to the gap, an aspect-based sentiment computing (ABSC) method was employed for CES evaluation in Shanghai’s MHPs. We created 3 lexicons of space types, CES types, and sentiment modifiers based on semantic syntax analysis of texts and identified 14 types of CESs and 22 types of spaces. The results show that “sense of place” and “relaxation” were the most prominent CESs in most MHPs. CESs could be classified into 2 categories, indicating the significance and the components of commemorative values and present-day values of MHPs. The overall CES perception varies in different MHPs at both individual park level and at space unit level. Our research enriches the understanding of the heritage values of MHPs, and offers CES trade-off principles for the balance between MHPs’ preservation and regeneration.