Seek Truth From Facts: The Chinese Communist Party’s War on History

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
2 PM to 4:15 PM
Location: The National Press Club
The Holeman Lounge
529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor
Washington, DC 20045

The phrase ‘Seek Truth from Facts (实事求是) was introduced to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as a hallmark slogan of Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP’s narrative of its history is a critical component of the Party’s domestic and foreign policy, as it aims to legitimize its own power and supremacy. The slogan has been used throughout the PRC’s 66-year history, and served as a political tool in Deng Xiaoping’s 1978 speech which allowed the Party to enact much needed reforms while maintaining its authority. The Chinese Communist Party thus utilizes political work groups and education to push its narrative of history to shape and define the discourse on the Party, rule of law, and foreign policy. However, to “Seek Truth from Facts,” has tragically resulted in the revision of history, human dignity, and the pursuit of “adherence to the Party.”

This conference will bring together an expert panel to identify and assess the impact of the CCP’s war on history at home and abroad by addressing the Sino-Japanese War, the Party’s historical claim to Tibet, and confronting the use of history to consolidate national identity and its relevance to the ‘rise of China.’

Homare Endo

Xin Haonian

Moderator: Rachael Burton

Rowena He

Helen Raleigh

Nadège Rolland

Michael Davis

Moderator: Kelley Currie