Patterns and Trends of World History/Global History in the People's Republic of China: Reflections by Prof. Ge Zhaoguang

Abstract

The essay examines selected relevant study and research in the field of World History/Global History in the People’s Republic of China. One of the most authoritative Chinese voices in the current panorama of the studies, that of historian Ge Zhaoguang 葛兆光, is presented here through a series of reflections expressed in his texts, podcasts and in personal exchanges of views with the Author of the essay. What emerges is how the historiographical approach of what in Chinese is called quanqiushi 全球史 (World History/Global History) constitutes in itself a stimulating challenge both to the narrative of the uniqueness of Chinese national history, based on its past, and to a new Nationalist rhetoric.