My paper and my presentation will reveal how the author Wang Shuo reveals his opinions concerning intellectuals in his novel Please Don’t Call Me Human. In order to better support this idea, I will frequently reference interviews and articles written about Wang. To give you a basic idea, the following is an interview in which the author reveals his views concerning this group.

http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/96/0809/feat3.html

It’s a fairly short interview and quickly conveys the point.

Citation:

Gee, Alison Dakota and Anne Naham.  “‘To Hell With Intellectuals!’” Asiaweek, August 8, 1996.        http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/96/0809/feat2.html#feat3 (accessed February        10,       2007).

The articles found on the PBS website dealing exclusively with China in the Red are, in my opinion, fascinating. As I read Sue Williams’ interview and “Democracy, Sooner or Later,” I was struck by my own lack of knowledge concerning the events, culture and government of China in the last fifteen, even ten, years. My ignorance was further supplemented by several assumptions that I had previously believed to be true but now realize are clearly incorrect.

In her interview, Wililams states that “I was more and more struck by how little Americans know about China.” Prior to taking this course, my knowledge of China dealt primarily with gender (as based upon another class, gender in Chinese history) and a significantly limited overview concerning the last sixty years of this nation. As History 471 has progressed, however, I have begun to develop a better understanding of this period. Important events, such as the Cultural Revolution or the Tiananmen Square protests, have acquired a greater meaning to me, as I now possess some understanding of the effects that these instances had on the government, culture and society.

As History 471 has progressed, I have, apparently, developed several assumptions concerning the China of the last two decades. As I established these opinions, though, I was unaware that I was doing so. The effects of the recently allowed market economy in China was a significant revelation to me. Consumerism now seems to occupy a significant presence in Chinese society, especially in urban areas. This, along with the changes caused by this switch, was shocking to me. I was also suprised by the strong contrasts between the youth of this period and the previous generation. For a growing percentage of young men and women, more freedoms are becoming attainable. The lives led by their parents are not necessarily forced upon them any longer.

Finally, I was greatly surprised by the ideas presented in “Democracy, Sooner or Later?”  Given my lack of knowledge concerning modern China, the increasing, albeit gradual, presence of democracy in this country was somewhat shocking.  The idea that the Chinese government could possibly evolve into a democratic system is one that I have never heard or considered.  The four experts interviewed each seemed to agree that the long-term establishment of democracy was a significant posibility.

I am very impressed with the PBS website.  If only other websites were as exhaustive and informative as that belonging to China in the Red.

I found Yu Hua’s “One Kind of Reality” to be both disturbing and interesting. In the last month, I have read several of his short stories found in The Past and the Punishments. Although less disturbing than “One Kind of Reality,” in my literary experience, I have rarely read anything like Hua’s work. The simple sentence structure and vocabulary present in his writing strongly contrast with the subject matter that is discussed. A noticeable characteristic of his writing is the limited description that he offers of his characters. In several of his short stories, Hua chooses to omit names for his characters, as well as identifiying characteristics. Occassionaly, he may offer numbers or nothing at all for names. I believe that he does this so as to allow the characters’ actions to form the basis of what the reader discerns about them. Although this initially creates simple characters, Hua’s ability to establish complex identities through his writing is quite powerful.

The original ideas that I developed at the beginning of “One Kind of Reality”significantly differed from the story’s course. An increasingly brutal and violent narration was something that I did not envision. The murders committed throughout this story, especially those of the children, were somewhat shocking in the dry and simple way that Hua depicted them. I was also suprised by the conclusion of “One Kind of Reality.” Even as the story progressed, I did not anticipate its end focussed upon the harvesting of organs. Although simple enough, I am still somewhat confused about this conclusion.

Hua’s work continues to impress me, especially as I am usually shocked by the endings of his stories. I look forward to reading novels that he has written as I now expect to be prepared for anything in his books.

As I announced in class, I have come to the conclusion that I am unable to continue my panda project. No books exist that solely and explicitly focus upon panda diplomacy. There are only a few articles. I’ve found one, possibly two newspaper articles that specifically discuss the topic. While I could probably have four solid pages of work, more than that would be a stretch.

In remembrance, I have posted the above picture of Tai Shan and Mei Xiang.

Clearly, I need another project. As I said on Friday, I believe that I’m going to focus on the writings of Wang Shuo. Born in 1958, Wang remembers the Cultural Revolution. Due to his young age, however, he was not expected to participate in it. This enabled him to see the Revolution in a very different way than his parents or other older members of society. For an extended period of time, Wang’s parents, as well as his neighbors, were called away from their homes. This enabled Shuo and his young friends to do whatever they wanted, a period that, in various interviews, the author recounts with pleasure.

Wang’s writings have become increasily controversial and popular in the last decade. The author of more than twenty books, he has sold approximately ten million copies. In addition, Shuo has also directed movies and television shows, including popular soap operas. Although most of these works have not been translated, numerous articles and interviews exist in English. The Modern Literature and Culture Resource Center has an extensive list of articles that focus upon Wang’s work. It will definetely prove to be an excellent resource.

I am going to list any sources that I have obtained periodically update this list. By doing this, it will be easier to avoid any duplicate copies.

• Barme, Geremie. “Wang Shuo and Liumang (‘Hooligan’) Culture.” The Australian Journal of Chinese Affairs 28 (July, 1992): 23-64.
• Gee, Alison Dakota and Anne Naham. “Wang Shuo: The Outsider.” Asiaweek, August 8, 1996.
• James, Jamie. “Bad Boy: Why China’s Most Popular Novelist Won’t Go Home.” New Yorker, April 21, 1997.
• McDougall, Bonnie S. “Literary Decorum or Carnivalistic Grotesque: Literature in the People’s Republic of China after 50 Years.” The China Quarterly 159 (September, 1999): 723-732.
• Mufson, Steven. “Chinese Writer Runs Afoul of Culture Police but His Work Remains Popular with Public.” The Washington Post (December 8, 1996).
• Pirazzoli, Melinda. “The Free-Market Economy and Contemporary Chinese Literature.” World Literature Today 70, no. 2 (March 22, 1996).
• Shuo, Wang. “Oh Boy! Another Anniversary.” Timeasia 154, no. 12 (September 27, 1999).
• ________. Please Don’t Call Me Human, trans. Howard Goldblatt. New York: Hyperiod East, 2000.
• ________. Playing for Thrills, trans. Howard Goldblatt. New York: William Morrow, 1997.
• ________.  The Troubleshooters.  Armonk, NY: Sharpe, 1998.
• Wong, Yu. “Wang’s World.” Far Eastern Economic Review 46 (August 8, 1996).
• Yao, Yusheng.  “The Elite Class Background of Wang Shuo and His Hooligan Characters in Modern China.”  Modern China 4 (2004): 431-469.

I have been lax in my updates so it’s time for a quick post. What have I been doing on my project?

• I have begun my correspondence with Dr. Songster.
• I organized the articles that I have obtained into one binder.
• I have examined the headings of any articles from 1970-1972 taken from the New York Times regarding panda diplomacy.

This last bullet is rather time consuming. As an online database does not exist for any articles published in the New York Times prior to (about) 1980, I have to examine an index of the articles published in a given year. Consider the sheer volume of work that goes into one edition. Each entry must have a title. Although the index is alphabetized, it only provides titles. After I determine which, if any, articles that I would like to examine, I have to locate them in microfilm. Although most days are easy to go through, I have had trouble looking for different sections of the Sunday papers. Thankfully, printing from the microfiche or microfilm machines is free.

Locating articles that are pertinent to panda diplomacy (the topic that I am currently focussing upon) doesn’t seem ridiculously challenging; however, as previously mentioned, it is time consuming. Consider the fact that I also must go through the Washington Post and, if available, the Wall Street Journal, and you have several hours at the library (I’ll probably see several of my classmates over the next four days).

In her email, Dr. Songster suggested that I focus my report on panda diplomacy. She mentioned several sources that my be helpful; however, I’m still concerned that I will lack enough information to concentrate exclusively on panda diplomacy.

What do I have to do before Friday?

• Speak to Dr. Fernsebner regarding my topic. Specifically, is panda diplomacy a feasible idea?
• Locate all New York Times and Washington Post articles available that cover panda diplomac.
• Contact the National Zoo in Washington D.C. as well as the Smithsonian. Find out what documents are available, if any, to the general public regarding panda diplomacy.
• Create a list of sources that will be included in my bibliography.

Well, I believe that is what I must do. By Friday, I should have a definite plan already established.

I believe that I am going to explore a wider direction concerning my research.  Instead of focusing solely upon panda diplomacy, I would like to examine how China uses panda to convey different aspects that are seen as being important.  The conservation of pandas represents the importance that China places upon its national heritage.  Panda diplomacy reveals a desire to form significant relationships with other countries.  Although I am certain that pandas have other significance, I will have to give further consideration to this topic.

I have found several articles that focus upon panda conservation and a few on panda diplomacy.  If I list them here, I will be able to leave the original copies in my dorm.

• Panda, Inc.: pound for pound, giant pandas may be China’s most valuable export.  A bumper crop of captive newborns shows that care–and conservation are paying off.  Lynne Warren.  National Geographic 210.1 (July 2006)
• The rarest of bears: Giant pandas.  Diane Guerney.  Town & Country 156.5260 (Jan 2002)
• The last refuge of the giant panda; helping an endangered species to survive in its natural habitat.  Pan Wenshi.  UNESCO Courier (Feb 1988)
• China’s Panda Politics; Sure, they’re darn cute and cuddly.  But they might be Trojan gifts.  Newsweek (April 3, 2006)
• Give us your island; Taiwan and China.(Panda diplomacy).  The Economist (US) 375.8425 (May 7, 2005)
• The bear necessities.(Chengdu Research Base operates artificial breeding program for giant pandas)  Geographical 72.10 (Oct 2000)
• Giant Pandas in a Changing Landscape.  Science 294 (16 November 2001)
• A Framework for Evaluating the Effects of Human Factors on Wildlife Habitat: the Case of Giant Pandas.  Conservation Biology 13.6 (December 1999)
• The Giant Pandas of the Qinling Mountains, China: a Case Study in Designing Conservation Landscapes for Elevational Migrants.  Conservation Biology 17.2 (April 2003)

I should visit the World Wildlife Fund.  I’m certain that this site will have information concerning pandas.

I believe that my project will focus upon panda diplomacy. Although I have limited knowledge concerning this area of study, I do know of two events that I may be able to discuss.

• In 1972, Mao Zedong gave two pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, to Richard Nixon after Nixon’s visit to China. This gesture indicated the level of success that had been achieved during this encounter between the two countries which had once been enemies.
• In 2005, China offered two pandas to the nation of Taiwan. This motion was rejected as it was feared that accepting such a gift would psychologically undermine Taiwan in its battle to retain its independence.

I think that, if I can determine an appropriate angle to focus upon, I can write a paper on panda diplomacy. However, I am still uncertain how to do this. Although it appears that numerous internet articles exist concerning this topic, I have yet to find many books.

I tried to find political cartoons dealing with pandas but was only able to find one. I’m fairly certain that it is not pertinent to my topic; however, I think that I will keep it just in case it is useful.

• http://caglecartoons.com/viewimage.asp?ID={D606E831-FEC3-40F4-A0E7-4E0CC50F0AFF}

I must get in touch with the National Zoo as it was here that Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing resided. Hopefully, records will exist that will provide useful primary documents. Even better, staff members from 1972 may still be employed. Below is a bibliography found on the Zoo’s website that focuses upon pandas. Although many of the articles are not helpful, I would be interested in taking a more detailed look at it.

• http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/Conservation/Biblio.cfm

The following website appears to be a connection to the Smithsonian library.  Perhaps I will be able to locate sources concerning panda diplomacy.

• http://www.sil.si.edu/ondisplay/Zoos/index.htm

I think that, in the course of my research, it will become exceedingly helpful to utilize this website as a tool to keep track of any useful information.  This will likely be more organized than any other methods I’ve used for papers in the past.  Although I still lack a more defined topic, I think that I have several websites and journal articles to peruse.

Articles or books pertinent to panda diplomacy:

• Article:	FROM PANDA TO DRAGON.
  Author:	Lin
  Journal:	National Interest
  ISSN:	0884-9382	Date:	1989
  Issue:	15	Page:	49

• http://smithsonian.org/resource/faq/nmnh/panda.htm

• Article:	Public diplomacy practitioners: a changing cast of characters
  Journal:	The Journal of business strategy
  ISSN:	0275-6668	Date:	2006
  Volume:	27	Issue:	3	Page:	18

Panda diplomacy, or the use of pandas as diplomatic gifts to other nations, interests me.  However, I am uncertain if there is enough scholarly information.  The following could be discussed:

• Presentation of pandas to Richard Nixon in 1972
• Taiwan’s refusal to accept China’s offering of two pandas

I’m sure that there is a more defined topic to focus upon.  I could possibly discuss the symbolism through the use of pandas in Chinese diplomatic efforts.  The following website may provide aid:

• http://www.answers.com/topic/panda-diplomacy

Wikipedia (which is not a definitive source, simply one to use to find ideas) has some information on Chinese censorship, especially concerning the internet.  The use of censorship in the present day may have more sources than panda diplomacy.  The following websites may be of use:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_in_mainland_China
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_mama
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jingjing_and_Chacha
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_of_Wikipedia_in_mainland_China
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China

I could possibly focus upon censorship and human rights violations in China.  Although there are probably numerous websites dedicated to Chinese censorship, I am uncertain as to whether enough books have been published recently to pursue this topic.

I think that much has been written about China’s one-child policy.  If the above projects fail, I could work on this.  The following website may be helpful:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policy
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_mainland_China

Hopefully one of these topics will work out.

I am unsure what to focus upon for my paper. Perhaps I will write about one of the following:

• Chinese diplomacy involving the exchange of pandas
• Chinese overpopulation and the one-child policy
• Chinese censorship
• The impact of increasing modernization on historical and cultural artifacts.
• The effect of tourism on the Great Wall
• 2008 Summer Olympics

The following is a helpful website that I will return to if I am unable to further develop one of the above ideas:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_China

As this project is flexible, it should be interesting to research.