The Pandemic’s Devastating Impact on Academic Research in China
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the world, but for scholars and researchers focusing on China, it ushered in a new era of obstacles. China’s swift and strict response to the virus, including sealing its borders and imposing severe restrictions on movement, effectively cut off foreign scholars from conducting fieldwork in the country. The sudden halt to in-person interactions with Chinese officials and contacts left researchers scrambling to adapt. Even after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, the academic landscape had irreversibly changed. Commercial flights to China became fewer, access to archives and interview subjects grew more restricted, and sensitive topics like the pandemic’s toll on the country or the slowing economy became even more difficult to research. The overall environment in China became increasingly closed-off, creating a new layer of complexity for scholars attempting to understand the country.
China’s Tightening Grip on Information and Data
The challenges faced by researchers were compounded by China’s growing control over sensitive data and information. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, the Chinese government has systematically restricted access to critical information, creating a void that scholars are struggling to fill. For instance, Beijing has not published a white paper on its defense strategy since 2019, a document that was previously released every few years. Additionally, key data related to the pandemic, including the number of lives lost, has been tightly controlled. In 2023, China further restricted international access to a critical database of academic papers, statistics, and other information, leaving scholars with even fewer resources to work with. This trend of heightened secrecy has made it increasingly difficult for researchers to gather reliable data, undermining their ability to provide accurate insights into China’s policies and developments.
The Decline of Academic Exchanges and Partnerships
Unlike during the Cold War, when scholarly exchanges with the Soviet Union were maintained despite geopolitical tensions, academic engagement with China has significantly diminished in recent years. The Fulbright academic exchange program, which once facilitated the exchange of thousands of American and Chinese students, was suspended by President Trump during his first term and remains inactive. American universities have also scaled back their partnerships with Chinese institutions, reflecting a broader decline in academic collaboration. The number of American college students studying in China has plummeted from around 15,000 a decade ago to just over 1,100 today. This decline in people-to-people exchanges has not only reduced opportunities for cultural understanding but also limited the flow of knowledge and ideas, further isolating China from the global academic community.
The Challenges of Researching China in a Shifting Landscape
The lack of access to China and its data has forced Western scholars to rely on indirect methods of research, such as analyzing official Chinese media and social media. While these sources can provide valuable insights, they are often incomplete or biased, as they reflect the narratives promoted by the Chinese government. These limitations were starkly evident in late 2022, when scholars were caught off guard by China’s sudden shift in COVID-19 policy. The inability to anticipate this change highlighted the inadequacies of relying on open sources and remote analysis alone. Faced with these challenges, some researchers have turned to historical topics, where archival materials are still available, while others have avoided sensitive subjects altogether to protect their future access to China. The frustration and uncertainty created by this information drought have even led to sharp disputes among scholars, as seen in the heated debates over a RAND Corporation report on China’s military readiness.
The Strategic Importance of Understanding China
Despite these challenges, it is more crucial than ever for policymakers in Washington to recognize the importance of maintaining a deep understanding of China. A well-informed approach to China is not just an academic pursuit; it is a strategic necessity that rivals military preparation and intelligence gathering in importance. Without a clear understanding of China’s economic, political, and social dynamics, the United States risks making missteps that could have far-reaching consequences. For instance, President Joe Biden’s recent assertion that China’s economic strength “will never surpass us” was quickly contradicted by the unveiling of a breakthrough in artificial intelligence by a Chinese startup, which shook global tech markets. This incident underscores how miscalculations in understanding China can have real-world impacts.
The Need for Renewed Commitment to Understanding China
To address these challenges, the U.S. must not only recognize the importance of scholarly research on China but also take concrete steps to support it. This includes reversing policies that further obscure America’s understanding of China, such as the Trump administration’s suspension of foreign aid, which threatens the work of nonprofits tracking Chinese business trends, human rights issues, and cybersecurity threats. It also means investing in initiatives that promote academic exchange and collaboration, even in the face of geopolitical tensions. By fostering a deeper understanding of China, the United States can avoid the pitfalls of misjudgment and navigate the complexities of its relationship with China more effectively. The stakes could not be higher, and the time to act is now.
