[Dialogue] Chinese Revolution: History or Present? / He Zhaotian and Lee Nam Ju
The Quarterly Changbi 185, Autumn 2019
Abstract
“Dialogue” in this issue is a special feature discussing the 70th anniversary of the Chinese Revolution. He Zhaotian, a research associate at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Literature, and Lee Nam Ju, a Changbi editorial board member, met in Beijing for a conversation. While tracing the unique power dynamics established among the party, state, and Chinese people through May 4th Movement, Cultural Revolution, and the 40-year Economic Reform, and the history of ideas behind the process, they re-illuminate new possibilities of historical practice remaining after this revolution of the previous era. Interestingly, they assess the past and present of the Chinese Revolution within the context of the experience and thought of the “Public Line,” the change and direction of the “New Left” intellectuals, and the vision of a “new human being.” Above all, it is noteworthy that they discuss the history of revolutionary movements related to revolutionary thought in China from the perspective of the dual tasks of embracing and overcoming modernity.