Getting Over Ai Weiwei

By Paul Gladston on November 19, 2012

There are, though, significant dangers in the upholding of Ai as our sole representative/mediator of artistic resistance to authority within China. While Ai’s bluntly confrontational and often bombastic stance can be readily digested within Western liberal-democratic contexts where romantic notions of heroic dissent in the face of overwhelming power still persist, it is by no means representative of the critical positioning of most other Chinese artists. Ai may have situated himself admirably behind enlightened westernized ideals of freedom and openness, but the sheer bluntness and reductive simplicity of his critical approach to authority have effectively foreclosed a more searching discussion of contemporary art within China as well as the complex, web of localized cultural, social, political and economic forces that surround its production and reception.

Arts, Politics
Ai Weiwei, Freedom of Expression

China’s Xi May Unveil Plan for Change Late 2013, CICC Head Says

By Zhou Xin on November 18, 2012

China’s new leadership, headed by Xi Jinping, will probably unveil new market-oriented changes in late 2013, according to Li Jiange, head of the country’s biggest investment bank.

Li, chairman of China International Capital Corp. and a vice chairman of state-owned Central Huijin Investment Co., which holds stakes in the nation’s biggest lenders, said the focus will probably be on reducing government intervention in the economy and breaking up state monopolies. Li spoke at Caixin Media’s annual conference in Beijing yesterday.

Economy
Economy, Trade, Investment, Xi Jinping

As Wen Jiabao Departs, China’s Dam Plans to Accelerate

By David Stanway on November 18, 2012

Dam building slowed considerably under Wen, who personally intervened to block hydropower projects and avoid the potential for protest from local populations. Projects such as the $59 billion Three Gorges Dam have been the focus of criticism over the social and environmental cost China is paying for development.

Energy, Environment
Dams, Electricity, Water

As 18th Congress Ends, a Peek into the Process

An Interview with Economist Zhang Zhuoyuan

on November 17, 2012

Over the past twenty years, economist Zhang Zhuoyuan has witnessed and actively participated in building the nation’s economic policy.

He participated in the drafting of reports at each of the Communist Party’s three previous national congresses, setting broad policy and reform agendas and laying the groundwork for discussions at subsequent meetings of the party’s Central Committee.

In an interview with Caixin, Zhang reflects on how these important political events have shaped China’s development, and discusses his hopes and policy suggestions for the years to come.

Political Reform: The Way to Go

A Look at the Language of the 18th Party Congress Report

on November 17, 2012

Sections of the 18th National Party Congress report that have justifiably generated the most attention are references to political reform.

Anyone who did not harbor unrealistic hopes about the congress and its outcome can read the report and find indications of progress in the area of political reform.

The State of the Navy

A Sinica Podcast

By Kaiser Kuo on November 16, 2012

After two weeks focusing on developments at the Eighteenth Party Congress, and with the next generation of China’s leadership now public news for the world to digest, this week on Sinica we take a break from China’s leadership transition and turn our attention to more long-term developments in Chinese foreign policy.