ASIA PACIFIC

China’s chest-thumping nationalism now goes too far, movement’s godfather says

Wang Xiaodong, a writer once called the standard-bearer of Chinese nationalism, at a bookstore in Beijing. As nationalist bravado becomes increasingly volatile and vitriolic in China, Xiaodong now fends off criticisms of being too moderate, too cozy with the West, even a traitor. | GILLES SABRI / THE NEW YORK TIMES

By Vivian Wang
The New York Times

Oct 28, 2022

Wang Xiaodong once gave a speech declaring that "China’s forward march is unstoppable.” He published essays calling on China to build up its military. He co-wrote a book, bluntly titled "China Is Unhappy,” in which he said the country should aim to control more land and shape global politics. "We should lead this world,” he said.

Now Wang, a 66-year-old Beijing-based writer once called the standard-bearer of Chinese nationalism, has another message: That nationalism has gone too far.

For years, it was Wang whom many Chinese dismissed as too radical, as he railed that the Chinese establishment was too beholden to Western ideas and global trade, too content to let China ease into a world order rigged by the United States.