On 14 October, the usual Rotary Club of Beijing lunch in Kempinski Hotel.
Speaker of the day: Ian Johnson, who among other things teaches at The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist who focuses on civil society and religion. He lives in Beijing and Berlin (Freie Universität), where he writes and teaches. He is the author of:
A Mosque in Munich – it tells the history of the Islamic Center of Munich, which was founded as a project by U.S. and West German intelligence for a group of Muslims living in Munich. Eventually the Islamic Center of Munich became the first overseas base of the Brotherhood in the West. In a way the story is the precursor to our experiences with the mujahedeen.
Wild Grass – Three stories of ordinary citizens illustrate a “slow-motion revolution from below” that is transforming today’s China.
More, see: http://www.ian-johnson.com/
He spoke on “Beyond Economic Growth: China’s Search For Lasting Values”.
Since the late 19th century, China has embarked on a long journey of seeking balance of creating a modern state and spiritual salvation. Ian walked through this relentless effort by the state as well as society at large in their search for the remedies for the social and economic ills resulting from the turbulent years after the Opium War and the founding of the Republic to the more recent rapid development in the last 30 years. He then focused his talk on the moral vacuum and subsequent surge of religious rejuvenation since the “to get rich is glorious” campaign released by Deng Xiaoping. Today China’s rapid religious popularity serves as the contrast in the backdrop of rapid wealth accumulation, and rampant corruption permeating in every corner of Chinese society. However, the long term effect of this religious revival on the political development remains to be seen. (Report by our Club)
His talk inspired me personally and suddenly gave me a new idea on another book I have to write… When I finally can cool down and find the time.
