In January 2016, the newly established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) started its operations. Supposed by media and academics to be partly a reaction to an unsatisfying international...Show moreIn January 2016, the newly established Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) started its operations. Supposed by media and academics to be partly a reaction to an unsatisfying international financial system, the emergence of this bank - which is still ongoing - has incited heated debate about the intentions behind its founding. One point of concern for more conservative analysts is the effect of its emergence on Sino-Japanese relations. Is the AIIB aiming at changing these relations and in what way does it or does it not? This thesis argues that concerns over a supposed hidden agenda or over supposed structural changes in China's foreign relations are not completely reasonable. The way in which the AIIB has been presenting itself to the world in its first operational year does not confirm worries among media and academics so far. Consequently, based on its first operational year of extensive cooperation with other development banks, the AIIB seems to be an institution that is rather conducive than detrimental to global development, also to the extent of Sino-Japanese relations.Show less
In the Western world a popular belief is that great nations should take responsibility and protect the populations of conflict-ridden countries. In many ways we could argue that China is on its way...Show moreIn the Western world a popular belief is that great nations should take responsibility and protect the populations of conflict-ridden countries. In many ways we could argue that China is on its way to becoming a great nation, thus expectations that the Chinese leadership steps up to this task are mounting. Traditional Chinese foreign policy is based on respect for the sovereignty of other nations, non-intervention and laissez-faire in general. Greater economic interests in areas abroad are in conflict with these traditional principles. In this thesis we have therefore researched whether China is putting economic and diplomatic pragmatism ahead of principle. While Beijing attempts to avoid involvement in matters that are not of national interest, we will see from two case studies - based on the Libyan civil war and the Syrian civil war - that this has become increasingly difficult. Moreover, when looking at UN peacekeeping operations we see that China is an actively contributing P5 member. It seems that 'wuwei' (or not-doing), is becoming an untenable stance in a globalizing world.Show less
This thesis studies the organizational principles of the Hàn dynasty text Shuō wén jiě zì 說⽂文解字, written by Xǔ Shèn 許慎. It presents a qualitative case study of three radical sections. In the...Show moreThis thesis studies the organizational principles of the Hàn dynasty text Shuō wén jiě zì 說⽂文解字, written by Xǔ Shèn 許慎. It presents a qualitative case study of three radical sections. In the analysis, special attention is paid to the sociopolitical context in which the text was produced, so as to understand the cultural factors that presumably informed Xǔ Shèn’s organization of the text. On the basis of the analysis, it also discusses Xǔ Shèn’s conception of writing. The analysis shows how the organization of characters was profoundly influenced by the ideologies of its time. It demonstrates how philosophical theories such as yīn–yáng and five phases (yīnyáng wǔxíng 陰陽五行), the doctrine of the unity of heaven and man (tiān rén hé yī 天人合一), and numerology of the Yì jīng 易經 (Book of Changes) all made their way into Xǔ Shèn’s lexicographic system. Furthermore, it shows how many characters are neatly organized in semantic series, which make up large parts of some radical sections. On the basis of the close connection between character organization and cosmological theories, it argues that Xǔ Shèn understood script mainly as a graphic representation of reality, which reflects the order of the cosmos. In linking the original text to the ideologies and customs of its time, this study offers an interpretation of how the organization of characters in three radical sections is best understood.Show less
Over the past decades, China has evolved into a major world power and moved away from being an isolated nation to one integrated into the international community. This thesis will discuss how...Show moreOver the past decades, China has evolved into a major world power and moved away from being an isolated nation to one integrated into the international community. This thesis will discuss how Chinese presence, power and interference have evolved and how this has impacted the international community with a focus on the African continent. Going more in-depth with two case studies in Africa, Ethiopia and Zambia, it will describe the reasons for China’s cooperation with both countries and the differences in her strategic approach and outcome.Show less
The Three Kingdoms hero Guan Yu has long been a very interesting subject of study due to his gradual rise from the status of tragic hero to that of deity. Over the course of this image-building...Show moreThe Three Kingdoms hero Guan Yu has long been a very interesting subject of study due to his gradual rise from the status of tragic hero to that of deity. Over the course of this image-building process he has accumulated a number of different titles and functions. This thesis seeks to contrast this image has taken shape through the literary and religious realms in which he played a role.Show less
This thesis analyzes the main factors which are contributing to the popularity of cosmetic surgery among Chinese women, focusing on social contexts, such as marriage and finding a job,...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the main factors which are contributing to the popularity of cosmetic surgery among Chinese women, focusing on social contexts, such as marriage and finding a job, globalization and its outcomes such as the influence of mass media and South Korea. To understand these factors this thesis dives into the concept of beauty by understanding what it means to be beautiful in China throughout history and who ultimately defines it. It is argued that there has been a change of beauty standard in China, meaning that the steps of obtaining beauty changed from applying make-up and wearing certain hairstyles and clothes to a whole new high level which can now only be obtained by cosmetic surgery. A number of factors are ‘defining’ the beauty standard of today, which is globalization, which can be seen as mass media and the popularity of South Korea, and China’s beauty economy which also contributes to higher standards in personal and professional success.Show less
Marlon Hom demonstrates that Pu Songling’s portrayal of women can be divided into two categories: 1. mortal women and 2. mythical women. Pu's women show only one set of characteristics at a time....Show moreMarlon Hom demonstrates that Pu Songling’s portrayal of women can be divided into two categories: 1. mortal women and 2. mythical women. Pu's women show only one set of characteristics at a time. The morally good and chaste personality traits belong to the humans, while the independent and assertive women are usually mythical beings. Lady White in "The Tale of the White Snake" (bái shé zhuàn 白蛇傳) displays both the mortal and supernatural aspects: she exhibits proper human behaviour, but at the same time she retains the assertive traits attributed to her snake spirit nature. This thesis will explore why and how Lady White's portrayal in the drum ballads is shown in a much more favourable light compared to her depiction in the vernacular story "Lady White is imprisoned underneath the Thunder Peak Pagoda".Show less
Television possesses the power to frame people’s lives and activities on a scale that no other form of media has ever been able to enjoy. This paper explores the various political missions of the...Show moreTelevision possesses the power to frame people’s lives and activities on a scale that no other form of media has ever been able to enjoy. This paper explores the various political missions of the Chinese television broadcast, and examines the modern type of propaganda publicized and disseminated throughout contemporary TV formats. Since its first introduction to China, the domestic digital box has become one of most efficient media for the spread of a new form of propaganda, thus helping the Party in its attempts to construct people’s identities. Given the findings that the media have always acted as mouthpieces of the government, this research points out that some particular television formats have been widely employed as thought work distributors. This thesis focuses primarily on TV serial dramas, which, despite often appearing to be the most innocuous and entertaining of broadcasts, are instead practically brimming with political discourses. More specifically, the main aim of this study is to explore the social and political contexts that have given rise to Dynasty dramas, which have emerged as the most conspicuous genre present on prime time TV thus far. Which sorts of political messages are concealed behind historical dramas? And for which reasons is the Party so committed to promulgating these types of ideas? Do these messages serve to legitimize the Party’s mandates? This research departs from the well-researched trend of exploring governmental media use in broad terms, turning its attention instead to television in particular. This essay widely examines the use of television in modern society, and epitomizes it as the new platform upon which the Party is able to construct or mold “politically educated” and “spiritually civilized” identities. Ultimately, the active engagement of dramas with cultural and political issues is proved, through the analysis of two of the most renowned contemporary Dynasty series “Yongzheng Dynasty” and “The Great Han Emperor Wu”-.Show less
