Chinese academic under fire over ‘historical nihilism’ remarks

Ge Jianxiong apparently defended the Communist Party’s tight grip on narratives, setting off a rare public discussion

One historian says it was ‘shameless’ for him to change his stand, but Ge says he pointed out an inconvenient truth

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Prominent historian Ge Jianxiong has for decades been an outspoken critic of the party. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:00am, 24 Jun 2021Updated: 7:00am, 24 Jun 2021

A prominent Chinese academic is facing a backlash after he apparently defended Beijing’s efforts to control historical narratives, a row that has erupted as the ruling Communist Party counts down to its centenary next week.

Photos showing key points from a January speech by Shanghai-based historian Ge Jianxiong were circulated on Chinese social media last week, setting off a rare public discussion about the party’s grip on the study of history.

That grip has tightened under President Xi Jinping, who sees history as an important battleground for the party’s legitimacy and has sought harsher penalties for those who challenge the official narrative.

In his speech at Xian Jiaotong University, Ge argued that China’s official version of history had been used as a tool to maintain rulers’ legitimacy for thousands of years, and that the same was true now.

“Oppose historical nihilism, ensure the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China,” read one slide in his presentation, seen in a photo showing Ge at a lectern that has been widely shared on social media.

“Historical nihilism” is a term coined by Beijing that refers to discussion or research that challenges the party’s official version of history.