Asian Studies Seminar Series: Andres Rodriguez In brief Date - 9 October 2024Venue - Project Room 1.06, 50 George SquareSpeaker - Dr Andres Rodriguez (University of Sydney)Title - China's Burma Road: Wartime Connectivity and Regionalism in China's Southwest (1937-45) About the eventChina’s War of Resistance (1937-45) brought radical shifts of territorial power across its hinterland regions. Facing Japan’s invasion in 1937, military and civilian resources made their way into China’s southwest provinces setting up what became known as the ‘Great Rear Base’ (dahoufang). For China’s wartime planners, the construction of new forms of connectivity held the key to building this bulwark of resistance. The development of new roads and air links envisaged by engineers was not only essential to sustain the wartime effort. It would also play a major factor in creating new understandings of geography for these regional actors as it redefined their relationship both within China and with the world.This talk focuses on the case of China’s Burma Road (1938-1942), which in its initial stages acted as a conduit of resources between Lashio (British Burma) and Kunming (Yunnan Province). It will examine how the development of China’s so-called ‘lifeline’ led to the creation of new ideas of regional identity that positioned China’s southwest as a vital hub connecting the nation with Southeast Asia, India, and the world.About the speakerAndres Rodriguez is Senior Lecturer in Modern Chinese history at the University of Sydney. He is the author of 'Frontier Fieldwork. Building a Nation in China’s Borderlands, 1919-1945' (University of British Columbia Press 2022) and other works that deal with the history of ethnic minorities, nationalism, and the impact of World War Two in China’s Republican Period (1912-1949).His current project examines China’s role in the construction of the ‘Burma Road’ during World War Two and how it led to new forms of connectivity between China, southeast Asia, and the world. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Global History until the end of the year.How to attendThis event is free to attend and open to all. No registration is required, simply turn up on the day.Are you interested in studying with us?We are the only university in Scotland to offer full undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in both Chinese and Japanese, as well as postgraduate programmes in Korean Studies and East Asian Studies. Find out more about Asian Studies at Edinburgh Oct 09 2024 16.00 - 18.00 Asian Studies Seminar Series: Andres Rodriguez An in-person seminar by Dr Andres Rodriguez (University of Sydney) entitled 'China's Burma Road: Wartime Connectivity and Regionalism in China's Southwest (1937-45)'. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LH Find the venue: 50 George Square
Asian Studies Seminar Series: Andres Rodriguez In brief Date - 9 October 2024Venue - Project Room 1.06, 50 George SquareSpeaker - Dr Andres Rodriguez (University of Sydney)Title - China's Burma Road: Wartime Connectivity and Regionalism in China's Southwest (1937-45) About the eventChina’s War of Resistance (1937-45) brought radical shifts of territorial power across its hinterland regions. Facing Japan’s invasion in 1937, military and civilian resources made their way into China’s southwest provinces setting up what became known as the ‘Great Rear Base’ (dahoufang). For China’s wartime planners, the construction of new forms of connectivity held the key to building this bulwark of resistance. The development of new roads and air links envisaged by engineers was not only essential to sustain the wartime effort. It would also play a major factor in creating new understandings of geography for these regional actors as it redefined their relationship both within China and with the world.This talk focuses on the case of China’s Burma Road (1938-1942), which in its initial stages acted as a conduit of resources between Lashio (British Burma) and Kunming (Yunnan Province). It will examine how the development of China’s so-called ‘lifeline’ led to the creation of new ideas of regional identity that positioned China’s southwest as a vital hub connecting the nation with Southeast Asia, India, and the world.About the speakerAndres Rodriguez is Senior Lecturer in Modern Chinese history at the University of Sydney. He is the author of 'Frontier Fieldwork. Building a Nation in China’s Borderlands, 1919-1945' (University of British Columbia Press 2022) and other works that deal with the history of ethnic minorities, nationalism, and the impact of World War Two in China’s Republican Period (1912-1949).His current project examines China’s role in the construction of the ‘Burma Road’ during World War Two and how it led to new forms of connectivity between China, southeast Asia, and the world. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Global History until the end of the year.How to attendThis event is free to attend and open to all. No registration is required, simply turn up on the day.Are you interested in studying with us?We are the only university in Scotland to offer full undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in both Chinese and Japanese, as well as postgraduate programmes in Korean Studies and East Asian Studies. Find out more about Asian Studies at Edinburgh Oct 09 2024 16.00 - 18.00 Asian Studies Seminar Series: Andres Rodriguez An in-person seminar by Dr Andres Rodriguez (University of Sydney) entitled 'China's Burma Road: Wartime Connectivity and Regionalism in China's Southwest (1937-45)'. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LH Find the venue: 50 George Square
Oct 09 2024 16.00 - 18.00 Asian Studies Seminar Series: Andres Rodriguez An in-person seminar by Dr Andres Rodriguez (University of Sydney) entitled 'China's Burma Road: Wartime Connectivity and Regionalism in China's Southwest (1937-45)'.
