China’s 21st Century Rise in Historical Perspective

Featuring
Klaus Mühlhahn
Professor of Chinese History and Culture
Free University of Berlin

With Commentary by

Stephen R. Platt
Professor of History
University of Massachusetts Amherst

and

Paul Heer
Former National Intelligence Officer for East Asia
U.S. National Intelligence Council

Many commentators claim that China's ongoing global rise refects a restoration of its earlier international prominence, while others highlight that China's emergence reflects distinctive characteristics of the country's current political leadership. In his new book, Making China Modern, Klaus Mühlhahn of the Free University of Berlin provides a panoramic survey of China's rise and resilience through war and rebellion, disease and famine. At this event Professor Mühlhahn will focus on the lessons from history that provide insight into China's evolving international position and how the United States and others should respond. Following his initial presentation, we will hear commentary from two eminent analysts of modern China: Stephen Platt of UMass Amherst, author of Imperial Twilight: The Opium War and the End of China's Last Golden Age (2018) and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom (2012); and Paul Heer, author of Mr. X and the Pacific: George F. Kennan and American Policy in East Asia (2018). 

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Scott Kennedy

Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics