When the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was proclaimed in October 1949, the country’s economy was in a shambles, devastated by decades of war and ravaged by inflation triggered by global forces beyond local control. The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the new...
Beyond the sprouts of capitalism: China’s early capitalist development and contemporary socialist project
This article was originally published at Monthly Review Online on March 03, 2021, and has been lightly revised with approval from the author. Introduction The contemporary political economy of the People’s Republic of China, the nature of the Chinese system, has been...
China’s foreign policy (1949-today): A 7-part podcast series
As the U.S. war machine ramps up aggression towards China, understanding the history of the country's engagement with the world is more crucial than ever. This multi-part series takes an in-depth look at the history of China's foreign policy since the 1949 revolution...
The CPC 100 years on: Understanding China’s contemporary political economy
Introduction Today, July 1, 2021, is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. Celebrations throughout China and commemorations worldwide are taking place today in recognition of the Party's leadership and its incredible legacy. It's...
China’s environmental problems: Beyond the propaganda
Editor’s note: This article is based off a talk first delivered at the Eco-Socialism Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The corporate-owned media reports frequently about environmental problems in China, from air pollution in Beijing to toxins in the soil and the...
5-part class: From opium wars to trade wars: China’s long path toward socialism
Course description: As China’s global rise rivals U.S. hegemony, the number one priority of U.S. foreign policy is to wage a demonization campaign against China. Since the Obama administration announced the Pivot to Asia, the U.S. has spent countless military dollars...
The Hong Kong protests and imperialism: What the corporate media isn’t saying
The Hong Kong protests have attracted considerable attention, and also considerable confusion. The goal of this article is to provide context for what is going on in Hong Kong today now that the anti-extradition protests have entered their sixth month. Without...
Five imperialist myths about China’s role in Africa
Setting the stage for "great power confrontation" That China is a rising power is undeniable. Since its founding in 1949, the People’s Republic of China has undergone several substantial economic and social policy changes, in response to both the evolving domestic...
Tiananmen: The Massacre that Wasn’t
Twenty-five years ago today, every U.S. media outlet, along with then President Bush and the U.S. Congress were whipping up a full scale frenzied hysteria and attack against the Chinese government for what was described as the cold-blooded massacre of many thousands...