Author Archive
 

 
 

China in Africa: Voices of Approval

An ongoing debate has long revolved around China’s investment of cultural, economic, and military resources in Africa. Western politicians have warned African states to be wary of a “Chinese Invasion”, and ...
by Josh Rudolph
 

 
 
 

World’s Oldest Pottery Confirmed in Jiangxi

An report released today in Science details the dating efforts that have confirmed pottery fragments found in Jiangxi province’s Xianren Cave (仙人洞) to be the world’s oldest. Radiocarbon samples have...
by Josh Rudolph
 

 
 
 

Controversy Continues over Confucius Institutes

Beijing’s Confucius Institute, a program to aid in spreading Chinese soft-power to the world via language and cultural education, has generated much controversy since its beginnings in 2004. While government sponsored ef...
by Josh Rudolph
 

 

 
 

Even Without Foreigners, Tourism Grows in Tibet

Last week, travel agents told of a government mandated ban on foreign travel to Tibet as sensitivity mounts after the ongoing wave of self-immolation recently spread into Lhasa. While a lack of foreign tourists may be hurting ...
by Josh Rudolph
 

 
 
 

“Grandpa Confucius, Please Come Home”

As Weibo commentators criticize the massive amount of government money being spent on Confucius Institutes, a party mechanism for spreading Chinese soft-power around the globe via Chinese language training and cultural educatio...
by Josh Rudolph