The “Tell China’s Story Well” clique seems determined to smear David Purdue as a “charlatan” and a scholar of “kindergarten” level skill. They offer no substantive criticism of his work, only ad hominem attacks. I think “China Marches West” deserves a less juvenile assessment …

Few things more annoying than libraries scanning old books then put them behind their login wall even though it's clearly out of copyright long time ago

Wow, I thought it was misidentification but it appears to be the case that Christie Henry, Director of Princeton University Press Princeton University Press, did go to the Uyghur-populated region and regurgitate propaganda about coexistence in one of the heaviest policed places on earth.

Interesting (and discouraging) example of how PRC desperation to whitewash their policies in Xinjiang hurts its international relations and makes it harder for those trying to maintain engagement with China. A 🧵regarding Princeton Press' trip to Xinjiang:

Dear god, Princeton University Press is even proud of the visit to Xinjiang, issuing a press note that gushes about newfound appreciation for "the incredible power of Uyghur poetry," nevermind poet Tahir Hamut Izgil literally wrote a book called WAITING TO BE ARRESTED AT NIGHT.

The Department of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University is genuinely world-class (it has its own Wikipedia article). Central Asian history-heads will know.

I've just heard the terrible news that my friend - and friend of many here - Andrew West, @BabelStone, the incomparably brilliant Sinologist and Tangutologist - passed away suddenly but peacefully on 10th July. Andrew had a heart of the most immense kindness and generosity, and