In so far as it acknowledged them at all, the Chinese Communist Party has blamed ‘infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces’ for the recent anti-lockdown protests. It’s an accusation laden with historical baggage. Modern China’s history with foreign states, especially the Europeans, hasn’t generally been a happy one. For many Chinese, the collective memory is still raw.
The most mutually traumatic episode in this history is probably the Boxer Rebellion, when thousands of foreign delegates were besieged in Beijing by Chinese rebels for 55 days. The siege eventually ended with an allied rescued mission which sacked the city, the soldiers raping and killing the Beijingers who were left. This episode is the subject of a new one-man play by a veteran China hand. Mark Kitto manages to deliver an intelligent and humorous show despite the rather violent subject matter. He plays a British diplomat, then a Qing general and finally a Welsh foot soldier of the relieving forces.
It’s a play full of political astuteness for those interested in China’s relations with the West today.
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