Xi Jinping and His Party

Xi Jinping and His Party - Thursday 7:30 p.m. October 25/18 - Columbus Centre Many observers consider President Xi the new emperor of China and compare his power to that of Mao. His father,a revolutionary fighter and close advisor to Mao, was subsequently purged from leadership. What are the lessons of history? Juan Wang of McGill University talks about the rise of Xi and his agenda for the Communist Party and China.

A Not So Delicate Balance - Thursday 7:30 p.m. November 1 - Columbus Centre China under Xi Jinping has developed unrivalled international trade opportunities, become the world's banker and emerged as a leader in cyber security. But ambitious foreign policy requires a stable country with strong domestic controls - including electronic surveillance, labour standards and human rights violations that make western nations uncomfortable. Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's Ambassador to Chima from 2012-2016, discusses the new China and the implications for Canada.

Money, Morality and China's New Rich - Thursday 7:30 p.m. November 8 - Columbus Centre In just two decades, China went from being one of the most equal societies in the world to one of the most unequal. Who exactly are China's new rich, and how are success and status being redefined. John Osburg of University of Rochester examines the social, moral and spiritual impacts of the largest eceonomic boom in human history.

What are Human Rights in China? - Thursday 7:30 p.m. November 15 - Columbus Centre China is often criticized for its abuse of human rights. But what this means in the Chinese context remains a puzzle for both Chinese citizens and outside observers. Sida Liu of the University of Toronto traces the history of human rights in China since 1949 and discusses how this concept is intergrated by the Chinese party-state and contrasted by activists and the general public in everyday struggles.

The Big Picture: Contemporary Chinese Art and Its Dissidents - Thursday 7:30 p.m. November 22 - Columbus Centre Chinese artists are seen as either activists standing up to an authoritarian government or opportunists complying with Market Demands. Yi Gu of the University of Toronto discusses the many stages and faces of contemporary Chinese art - which changed greatly from its inception in the early 1980's and continues to evolve in unexpected directions.