Lunchtime Seminar – 10 October – Manlai Nyamdorj

Global China in communication: Popularisation of Chinese literature in Mongolia

Manlai Nyamdorj  (Trier University & MIASU Visiting Scholar)

In recent years Chinese literature became a big hit in Mongolia. Available in every bookstores, books by the likes of Yu Hua and Mo Yan became especially popular among new urban youth. In exploring this seemingly organic but curious popularisation of Chinese cultural products, my question was to what extent these are connected with China’s global campaign in telling China stories well? Whether or not one can distinguish between organic and non-organic or coordinated and planned efforts by China’s party-state? This analysis shows that there is a significant presence of Chinese capital and party-state involvement in moving these processes. However, there are also individuals and organisations who do not have direct ties with these forces but nevertheless through another channel carry out communication processes that come out of China. As a result of people-to-people exchanges in recent decades they are reflection and embodiment of China’s increased relevance in world politics, its cultural attraction as well as its appeal and prestige to its regional neighbours and global periphery.