From Robert Suettinger’s book on Hu Yaobang I learned that Hu, like Deng Xiaoping, preferred to live outside the confines of Zhongnanhai. Hu’s house was at 会计司胡同25号; now gated off from public view. There is apparently a reproduction somewhere in his home province of Hunan…

The Flying Tigers (American Volunteer Group) were U.S. pilots recruited in 1941 to aid China before America’s entry into WWII. Based in Yunnan, they flew Curtiss P-40s against Japan. Photos from Harrison Forman’s 1942 series show Col. Claire Chennault and pilot R.T. Smith at Kunming.

“In particular, Torigian’s account of his life invites the question: why would anyone remain so dedicated to an institution that has treated you so badly?” My review in the @asianreviewofbooks.bsky.social of ‘The Party’s Interests Come First’ asianreviewofbooks.com/the-partys-i...

I love a doorstop CCP biog, and Joseph Torigian’s new book on Xi Zhongxun is a fascinating addition to the genre that offers insight into the party, his life - and of course, his son. asianreviewofbooks.com/the-partys-i...

Today in the ARB: @jmchatwin.bsky.social reviews “The Party’s Interests Come First” by Joseph Torigian @stanfordpress.bsky.social asianreviewofbooks.com/the-partys-i...

In March 1990, Deng Xiaoping invoked Mount Tai before Party leaders: “No matter how the international situation changes, so long as we can ensure appropriate economic growth, we shall stand firm as Mount Tai.” 1/3

I’ve used these archives and the BBC’s explanation of how they are changing access is just nonsense marketing speak. The only way to run an archive like this is to allow access based on specific queries. observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

In March 1990, Deng Xiaoping invoked Mount Tai before Party leaders: “No matter how the international situation changes, so long as we can ensure appropriate economic growth, we shall stand firm as Mount Tai.” 1/3

The Great Wall at Shanxi Province, c.1923 by photographer RE Baber

On 19 Jan 1992, Deng Xiaoping stepped off the train in Shenzhen. After greetings from local officials, he was driven to the Shenzhen Guesthouse. His villa had just been refurbished: cream furnishings, floral fabrics, and a large desk with inkstone + brushes laid out. 1/3

On 19 Jan 1992, Deng Xiaoping stepped off the train in Shenzhen. After greetings from local officials, he was driven to the Shenzhen Guesthouse. His villa had just been refurbished: cream furnishings, floral fabrics, and a large desk with inkstone + brushes laid out. 1/3

An excellent piece—and equally true of literary travel writing about China, which has all but disappeared in recent years.

Yankai, Yunnan, ca 1943-45: A farmer poses with hoe in hand, wearing a well-worn leather cap unusual for the region. He was particularly proud of his beard, noted photographer Bert Krawczyk.

Thanks to China Books Review for the chance to write about (the sadly recently passed) Jane Gardam and her excellent Old Filth trilogy about colonial Hong Kong which, if you haven't read you really should.... chinabooksreview.com/2025/07/22/a...

Snow in Yunnan: Winter 1943–45. Locals insisted it be photographed—first snow in years. Rust-red earth, dark trees, wooden carts: a brief, surreal scene “like a Currier and Ives print,” noted US Army photographer Bert Krawczyk.

Precarious crossing: Frederic W. Carey, HM Customs officer, photographed life in Yunnan (1896–1902) while stationed in Szemao (Simao, in southern Yunnan). University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: FC01-07

I wrote about Liang Qichao as a thinker, reformer, exile & influence on Mao & Lu Xun & others for @chinabksreview.bsky.social (thanks at @alexludoboyd.bsky.social for the well thought out initial big edits & @alecash.net for the good final polishing ones) chinabooksreview.com/2025/07/17/l...

Mist rolling off the Doom bar this morning.

First plane to reach Lijiang: Dr Joseph Rock stands photographing the Ford Tri-Motor ‘Kunming’ near Lijiang, 1936. Chartered to survey the Yulong Xueshan range & Yangtze gorges. A few onlookers became 2,000 in hours.

Cornwall, after the heatwave…

A UK e-book bargain!!! Wallis Simpson: Her Lotus Year in 1920s China by Paul French is just 99p in ebook - for a limited time only! 'Compelling' Dr Amanda Foreman 'Fascinating' Lisa See 'Riveting' Anne Sebba 'Surprising' Anne de Courcy www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Lotus-Ye...

Not the most important thing here, but the Tomorrow soliloquy doesn’t ‘close’ Macbeth; also in terms of literary showing off it’s about as impressive as playing Stairway to Heaven in a guitar shop.

Other, non-made-up books about going for a long walk in Cornwall are available... Just saying, like...

Is there a German word for the feeling when you find out something you didn’t like, but everyone else did, is quantifiably dodgy?

Fucking hell, this is something.

The cultural poverty of Britain part II: live-blogging reunion concerts by dull middle-aged rock bands that weren’t very good to begin with

Sketch of the Temple of Heaven, 1873, from the Illustrated London News.

The crisis in China, 1900: General Frey, his staff, and the French detachment entering the Imperial Palace through the north gate. Illustrated London News.

1861 sketch of ‘Curiosity Street’, Peking; from the Illustrated London News.

Today is publication day for the paperback edition of my monograph Making Sense of the Great War at £29.99 (or cheaper via Amazon). Though I am yet to receive my author copies, I don't need all of them, so will happily send one to someone who likes and shares this. Find it here: bit.ly/4l1M5Gu

Lama and Confucius temples, Peking - early 20th century, photographed by Gertrude Bass Warner.

To quote Lao She, 说句该挨嘴巴的话，火是真好看 — “I ought to be slapped for saying it, but that is one beautiful fire.”

Attention London: Barbara Demick in conversation with Lindsey Hilsum on her new book Daughters of the Bamboo Grove at Daunt Books Marylebone - 9/6/25, 7pm dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/...

Protestor outside the Capitol, June 5th 1989 - ‘Down with Nazi Deng’

A street scene in late Qing-dynasty Beijing—layers of commerce, Peking dust, and daily life. Likely around Qianmen, ca 1900.

Market near the Drum Tower, Peking, ca 1900.

Market near the Drum Tower, Peking, ca 1900.

I really love this review of my Xi Zhongxun biography from the wonderful @mauracunningham.bsky.social , who keeps the focus on Xi Zhongxun, the subject of the book (even though the book does have something to say about Xi Jinping too) mauracunningham.org/2025/06/03/t...

More #Beijing tonight, #China…

Thrilled to see this Wall Street Journal feature on my new book about Xi Jinping’s father Xi Zhongxun www.wsj.com/world/china/...

Coming out on June 3

This week marks the first birthday of ‘The Southern Tour’ from @bloomsburyacad.bsky.social - a History Today book of the year 2024, which hopefully still reads well in 2025. uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Two images of Hong Kong, ca 1870; looking down across what is now the Botanical Gardens towards the harbour, and another from the Murray Parade Ground towards St John’s Cathedral.

Views of Peking, including the Lama Temple and Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, Felice Beato 1860.

If Stanford acquiring a very special Chinese typewriter has you wanting to know more about the topic, this @jmchatwin.bsky.social essay at @chinabksreview.bsky.social is a good place to turn, discusses both @mitpress.bsky.social @tsmullaney.bsky.social books chinabooksreview.com/2025/04/17/c...

Pretending to be China's Little Helmsman on January 23, 1992, aboard the "Customs 902" Vessel, I gaze upon Zhuhai...

Read Jonathan Chatwin's review-essay on Thomas S. Mullaney's books "The Chinese Computer" and "The Chinese Typewriter": buff.ly/Se4gP5B

Read @jeremiahjenne.com 's archive pick, Peking Picnic by Ann Bridge: buff.ly/q9rMSm4

"This history deserves to be known, and I am grateful that someone else has done the years of hard research necessary to write what feels like the endeavor of a lifetime." @chinabksreview.bsky.social reviews @tsmullaney.bsky.social's books "The Chinese Computer" and "The Chinese Typewriter":

Birthday walk; here’s to St George and (possibly) Shakespeare.