Qiang Zhang | University of Oxford (original) (raw)
Uploads
Papers by Qiang Zhang
China Information, Nov 1, 2013
This article examines the upsurge in Chinese public support for the legacy of the Republican era,... more This article examines the upsurge in Chinese public support for the legacy of the Republican era, a phenomenon known as ‘Republican fever’. The fever has arisen following the formal relaxation of restrictions on discussing the Republican period. The rationale for doing so is linked to political expediency and in particular to the CCP’s quest for nationalist legitimacy. By acknowledging the positive aspects of the Republican era as part of a placatory policy on reunification with Taiwan, the CCP is trying to present itself as a key partner in a united patriotic front with the Kuomintang. But things have not turned out as planned. As Republican fever has spread across a diverse section of Chinese society, so too has criticism of the CCP’s record in power. In light of this, we argue that instead of fortifying the Party’s nationalist legitimacy, the CCP has unwittingly started a process which appears to be eroding that legitimacy.
This article examines the emergence of an increasingly vociferous public debate in China over the... more This article examines the emergence of an increasingly vociferous public debate in China over the true contribution made by the KMT in the war against Japan. Following years of rigid adherence to the traditional Maoist line that the CCP won the war almost single-handedly, the party has finally moved towards a more realistic and honest assessment that recognises the pivotal role played by the KMT in defeating the Japanese. The rationale for conceding this point is ultimately linked to the question of nationalist legitimacy. At a time of increasing socio-economic uncertainty and in an effort to fill the ideological void left by the demise of Chinese Marxism, the party is trying hard to bolster its nationalist credentials. One way that it is doing this is by presenting a united patriotic front on the war against Japan, with itself at the helm. However, things have not materialised in the way the party had anticipated. Along with strong expressions of national pride in China's war effort, some members of the public have responded with sympathy towards the KMT veterans who fought the Japanese. With this sympathy has come antipathy towards the CCP who are accused of persecuting KMT soldiers after 1949, of re-writing the history of the war for its own propaganda purposes and of betraying the nation by, amongst other things, avoiding armed conflict with Japan and leaving the KMT to fight the war on its own. In light of this growing (although not necessarily majority) public reaction, we argue that instead of fortifying the party's nationalist legitimacy, the official reappraisal of the KMT's role in the war runs the risk of eroding that legitimacy.
Awards by Qiang Zhang
China Information, Nov 2013
The jury is of the opinion that the prize-winning article: - contains original ideas, is rich ... more The jury is of the opinion that the prize-winning article:
- contains original ideas, is rich in empirical details, and is theoretically informed;
- successfully connects the analysis of the intellectual and political debates about the Republican past to present-day legitimacy of the ruling regime; and
- underlines a topical issue that is most relevant to our understanding of contemporary China
Books and book chapters by Qiang Zhang
China Information, Nov 1, 2013
This article examines the upsurge in Chinese public support for the legacy of the Republican era,... more This article examines the upsurge in Chinese public support for the legacy of the Republican era, a phenomenon known as ‘Republican fever’. The fever has arisen following the formal relaxation of restrictions on discussing the Republican period. The rationale for doing so is linked to political expediency and in particular to the CCP’s quest for nationalist legitimacy. By acknowledging the positive aspects of the Republican era as part of a placatory policy on reunification with Taiwan, the CCP is trying to present itself as a key partner in a united patriotic front with the Kuomintang. But things have not turned out as planned. As Republican fever has spread across a diverse section of Chinese society, so too has criticism of the CCP’s record in power. In light of this, we argue that instead of fortifying the Party’s nationalist legitimacy, the CCP has unwittingly started a process which appears to be eroding that legitimacy.
This article examines the emergence of an increasingly vociferous public debate in China over the... more This article examines the emergence of an increasingly vociferous public debate in China over the true contribution made by the KMT in the war against Japan. Following years of rigid adherence to the traditional Maoist line that the CCP won the war almost single-handedly, the party has finally moved towards a more realistic and honest assessment that recognises the pivotal role played by the KMT in defeating the Japanese. The rationale for conceding this point is ultimately linked to the question of nationalist legitimacy. At a time of increasing socio-economic uncertainty and in an effort to fill the ideological void left by the demise of Chinese Marxism, the party is trying hard to bolster its nationalist credentials. One way that it is doing this is by presenting a united patriotic front on the war against Japan, with itself at the helm. However, things have not materialised in the way the party had anticipated. Along with strong expressions of national pride in China's war effort, some members of the public have responded with sympathy towards the KMT veterans who fought the Japanese. With this sympathy has come antipathy towards the CCP who are accused of persecuting KMT soldiers after 1949, of re-writing the history of the war for its own propaganda purposes and of betraying the nation by, amongst other things, avoiding armed conflict with Japan and leaving the KMT to fight the war on its own. In light of this growing (although not necessarily majority) public reaction, we argue that instead of fortifying the party's nationalist legitimacy, the official reappraisal of the KMT's role in the war runs the risk of eroding that legitimacy.
China Information, Nov 2013
The jury is of the opinion that the prize-winning article: - contains original ideas, is rich ... more The jury is of the opinion that the prize-winning article:
- contains original ideas, is rich in empirical details, and is theoretically informed;
- successfully connects the analysis of the intellectual and political debates about the Republican past to present-day legitimacy of the ruling regime; and
- underlines a topical issue that is most relevant to our understanding of contemporary China