China Off Center : Mapping the Margins of the Middle Kingdom

China Off Center takes as its fundamental assumption that contemporary China can only be understood as a complex, decentralized place, where the view from above (Beijing) and from tourist buses is a skewed one. Instead of generalizing about China, it demonstrates that this diverse national terrain is better conceived as it is experienced by Chinese, as a set of many Chinas. To that end, this anthology of interpretive essays and ethnographic reports focuses on the everyday, the particular, the local, and the puzzling. Among the many topics covered are ethnic minorities, linguistic diversity, competing regional loyalties, sexuality, gender and work, the floating populations, rock and roll, qigong (spiritual and martial arts), and popular religion. Together with contextualizing introductions, the readings provide students with a compelling look at some little-known but significant aspects of China from the past decade; for those already familiar with China, they furnish an assortment of uncommon viewpoints in a single, convenient volume. "A highly unusual collection of essays, one which is sure to generate lively discussion. Its most exciting element is the generous coverage of areas and topics that are usually completely ignored but which will take on increasing importance in the coming years." --- Victor H. Mair, University of Pennsylvania " China Off Center topples the myth of Chinese monolithism, and opens the way to a view of China that is more plural, more human, and more true. Geographical, cultural, spiritual, economic, and sexual diversity -- these themes are crucial for all who would understand China as a complex reality instead of a polemical symbol. The book presents scholarly writing that is at once authoritative and a pleasure to read." --- Andrew J. Nathan, Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science, Columbia University How Much Of China Is Ruled By Beijing / Liu Binyan -- Symbols Of Southern Identity : Rivaling Unitary Nationalism / Edward Friedman -- The Languages Of China / Robert Ramsey -- Chinese Turkestan : Xinjiang / A. Doak Barnett -- Ethnoreligious Resurgence In A Northwestern Sufi Community / Dru C. Gladney -- Town And Village Naxi Identities In The Lijiang Basin / Sydney D. White -- Ethnic And Linguistic Diversity In Kunming / Susan D. Blum -- The Construction Of Chinese And Non-chinese Identities / David Yen-ho Wu -- The Secret History Of The Hakkas : The Chinese Revolution As A Hakka Enterprise / Mary S. Erbaugh -- Sexual Behavior In Modern China / Dalin Liu ... [et Al.] -- The Cut Sleeve Revisited : A Contemporary Account Of Male Homosexuality / Vincent E. Gil -- The Moon Reflecting The Sunlight : The Village Woman / James Tyson And Ann Tyson -- The Floating Population In The Cities : Markets, Migration, And The Prospects For Citizenship / Dorothy J. Solinger -- The Politics Of Popular Music In Post-tiananmen China / Andrew F. Jones -- Magic, Science, And Qigong In Contemporary China / Eric Karchmer -- The Spirits Of Reform : The Power Of Belief In Northern China / Diane Dorfman. Edited By Susan D. Blum And Lionel M. Jensen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 365-385) And Index. China Off Center takes as its fundamental assumption that contemporary China can only be understood as a complex, decentralized place, where the view from above (Beijing) and from tourist buses is a skewed one. Instead of generalizing about China, it demonstrates that this diverse national terrain is better conceived as it is experienced by Chinese, as a set of many Chinas. To that end, this anthology of interpretive essays and ethnographic reports focuses on the everyday, the particular, the local, and the puzzling. Together with contextualizing introductions, the readings provide students with a compelling look at some little-known but significant aspects of China from the past decade; for those already familiar with China, they furnish an assortment of uncommon viewpoints in a single, convenient volume.Foreword by Prasenjit DuaraContributors: A. Doak Barnett, Susan D. Blum, Diane Dorfman, Mary S. Erbaugh, Edward Friedman, Vincent E. Gil, Dru Gladney, Erwin J. Haeberle, Lionel M. Jensen, Andrew F. Jones, Eric Ivan Karchmer, Liu Binyan, Dalin Liu, Man Lun Ng, S. Robert Ramsey, Dorothy J. Solinger, Ann Tyson, James Tyson, Sydney White, David Yen-ho Wu, Li Ping Zhou. China Off Center takes as its fundamental assumption that contemporary China can only be understood as a complex, decentralized place, where the view from above (Beijing) and from tourist buses is a skewed one. Instead of generalizing about China, it demonstrates that this diverse national terrain is better conceived as it is experienced by Chinese, as a set of many Chinas. To that end, this anthology of interpretive essays and ethnographic reports focuses on the everyday, the particular, the local, and the puzzling. Together with contextualizing introductions, the readings provide students with a compelling look at some little-known but significant aspects of China from the past decade; for those already familiar with China, they furnish an assortment of uncommon viewpoints in a single, convenient volume. Foreword by Prasenjit DuaraContributors: A. Doak Barnett, Susan D. Blum, Diane Dorfman, Mary S. Erbaugh, Edward Friedman, Vincent E. Gil, Dru Gladney, Erwin J. Haeberle, Lionel M. Jensen, Andrew F. Jones, Eric Ivan Karchmer, Liu Binyan, Dalin Liu, Man Lun Ng, S. Robert Ramsey, Dorothy J. Solinger, Ann Tyson, James Tyson, Sydney White, David Yen-ho Wu, Li Ping Zhou __China Off Center____qigong__"A highly unusual collection of essays, one which is sure to generate lively discussion. Its most exciting element is the generous coverage of areas and topics that are usually completely ignored but which will take on increasing importance in the coming years." --- Victor H. Mair, University of Pennsylvania "__China Off Center__ topples the myth of Chinese monolithism, and opens the way to a view of China that is more plural, more human, and more true. Geographical, cultural, spiritual, economic, and sexual diversity -- these themes are crucial for all who would understand China as a complex reality instead of a polemical symbol. The book presents scholarly writing that is at once authoritative and a pleasure to read." --- Andrew J. Nathan, Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science, Columbia University