Society
Biao Xiang
Inside China: Society
Xi Jinping’s China and the Chinese people’s China are two different things
The average everyday lives of Chinese citizens are far more fascinating and intriguing than the US-China conflict.
A medium for the masses, Bia Xiang, a world-renowned anthropologist, provides through his story the vivid insight into the true thoughts of the people of China.
Lesson Plan
- Lesson Length : 20 Lessons ㆍ 2 hours 07 miutes
- Language : 한국어, English, 简体中文, Spanish, French
Xi Jinping’s China and the Chinese people’s China are two different things.
After navigating through a period of tumultuous change, China has emerged as a global powerhouse. Now in his third term, President Xi Jinping has declared his commitment to "the great renaissance of the Chinese nation" and aspires to surpass the United States as a leading superpower. Amidst Xi's ambitious vision for a larger and stronger China, how do the Chinese people live their lives? Director Biao Xiang of Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology focuses on the lives of the people of China, shifting focus away from grand narratives about the state and nation. He presents a fresh perspective on China by examining the mundane and ordinary aspects of everyday life.
With “Inside China: Society,” Xiang explores the daily lives of China’s youth using five keywords often used on Chinese social media. The anxiety and concerns expressed through these keywords paint a strikingly different picture of China than the one portrayed in the media or online. It is within these individual stories of China’s youth which hold the power of comfort and empathy. Through Xiang's vivid storytelling, we will be able to glimpse the true face of China, beyond its portrayal as a communist and hegemonic nation.
Full Bio
Biao Xiang
- Director of Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (2010-present)
- Professor of Social Anthropology at Oxford (2010-2021)
- Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology advisor (2023-present)
- UN Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting committee member (2013)
- Recipient of the 2012 William L. Holland Prize
- Recipient of the 2008 Anthony Leeds Prize
- Author of Self as Method: Thinking Through China and the World, named the “most impactful book of 2020” by China’s Douban
Director Biao Xiang of Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology is an internationally-acclaimed anthropologist who has received awards such as theAmerican Anthropology Association’s Anthony Leeds Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in anthropology, and the William L. Holland Prize. Born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province of China, Xiang enrolled at Beijing University to study sociology shortly after the Tiananmen Square incident. He gained recognition in China’s social science community through his research on Zhejiang Village, where he studied the rural lives of people from his hometown, Wenzhou. Subsequently, he delved into an in-depth study of modern Chinese society while living in the UK and Germany.
Widely regarded as a practicing anthropologist, Xiang utilizes his anthropological knowledge and research to connect with and guide China's youth through turbulent times. His book, Self as Method: Thinking Through China and the World, a collection of interviews and conversations he conducted across China, was proclaimed as the “most impactful book of 2020” by China’s Douban, selling over 200,000 copies in China alone.
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Society
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