“China Watching” during the GPCR with John Gittings – SOAS – 9/4/18

What should be a fascinating event for anyone in London this early April….

“China Watching” during the GPCR

John Gittings (SOAS, University of London)

9/4/18 – SOAS

50 years ago, John Gittings joined the Far Eastern Economic Review  in Hong Kong  as its “China Watcher”, following  the turbulent events of the  GPCR across the uncrossable Chinese border.  In 1971 he finally managed to visit the mainland, not as a journalist but with a delegation from the  Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding .  At the time and after, both types of observation aroused controversy, with outside commentators criticised for Pekinology and lack of understanding, while “friendship” visitors were accused of bias and self-censorship.   In retrospect the limitations of both approaches are evident, whether arising from lack of information or failure of perception. Gittings looks critically at his own output as well as that of others and concludes that the insights gained then can still add to our understanding

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