Research
Thematics (ongoing)
1. Moral education in PRC
"We will focus on fostering a new generation capable of shouldering the mission of national rejuvenation."---Excerpt from 19th CCP Congress report (Oct. 2017)
Summary: In present-day PRC, moral education is a catch-all term for education in ideology, politics, law, morality, mental and psychological well-being and so forth. Modelled after the old Soviet Union system, the concept of moral education has started to encompass the Western ideas of civic and citizenship education as well as character education. The development and evolvement of moral education is largely a result of China's increasing opening up to the outside world. The main contents of moral education have been kept changing and always expanded to include the latest "mainstream ideologies" of the Communist Party. To some extents, it reflects the ever-changing political, social and economic imperatives of the day. Ideological elements always remain a staple component of moral education. On one hand, the Party sees moral education (more pleasant to public ears and less ideological) a crucial means to strengthen and reassert the Party's role in society; on the other hand, the government relies on moral education to "cultivate a new socialist generation with lofty ideals, moral integrity and a sense of discipline." These ideological courses are designed to make sure students absorb patriotic and pro-party values. As the Communist Party of China solemnly marked the biennial birth anniversary of Karl Marx and celebrated its own centennial anniversary, the big question remains: how and whether the strengthening of the so-called 'ideological work' in China's schools can produce the next generation of students who are both "red (who espouse unyielding party loyalty as adamant communists)" and comply as knowledgeable "expert (talents of extraordinary intellectual caliber)"?
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2. Cultural soft-power
"Core values are at the heart of a country's cultural soft power and the focus of cultural soft power construction. This is the deepest element that determines the nature and direction of culture. The cultural soft power of a country depends fundamentally on the vitality, cohesiveness and appeal of core values."---Xi Jinping
Summary: This line of research shines a light on the PRC's cultural soft power initiatives and the strategic measures the party-state has implemented to address the cultural deficit and promote the country's image as a global cultural powerhouse. The consensus is that culture is at the heart of a country's soft power strength, a core component that makes up a nation's overall influence. Among political and intellectual elites over there, there is a prevailing belief that for China to become truly influential globally and be worthy of its economic and superpower status, it is essential for the country to ramp up its cultural charm offensive. Building cultural soft power involves showcasing and revitalizing China's rich cultural and historical heritage, highlighting traditional values and beliefs rooted in its agrarian origins, and inspiring citizens to take pride in a shared cultural lineage and deepen confidence in the very political arrangement that dominate. These efforts culminate in the signature campaign that emphasizes the need to "tell the China story well." A growing number of state-funded projects are flourishing as a result of this push. The ultimate goal is to use the promotion of cultural soft power to soften the PRC's authoritarian edge, which has been recently exacerbated by its aggressive diplomatic posturing, and to dispel misconceptions about China's rise, particularly at a time when the country's growing economic and military might is perceived as a menace by many in the West. |
3. Nationalism and public opinion
Summary: My research interest is rooted in my long-term observation and examination of politics in PRC. I monitor contemporary Chinese nationalism by following a series of recent high-profile incidents that have gone viral, elicited widespread public outrage, and sparked intense discussion and debate within the Chinese-speaking community and beyond. I keep an eye on how the resulting nationalistic sentiment is being interpreted and amplified by online nationalists, as well as how state-run media outlets capitalize on the public mood at the most opportune moments and how they serve as microcosms of the broader political trends and dynamics shaping the nation. Additionally, this analysis will help to understand the potential wider micro-economic impact that these incidents may have on the parties involved. Authoritarian regimes are known and adept at harnessing nationalism to divert and dissipate public anger and attention, and sometimes, to shape public opinion in a favorable direction. |
Additional topics of interest
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I follow developments in Chinese politics by examining official speeches, key addresses and expositions, and changes in policy initiatives to take the pulse of how dictatorial regime there stay alive and its broader implications for the rest of the world. (This list of research themes is not exhaustive)
- The fragility of dictatorial regimes: black-swan events and domino effect
- Youth and regime security in authoritarian regimes
- Institutionalization and legitimization of political authority in authoritarian regimes
- Cross-generational regurgitation of authoritarian impulses
- Dictator's quest for power: shoring up confidence and political authority through soft and hard forms of coercion
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