China and Taiwan recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, which ended the dynastic imperial rule in China and established the first Republic on the Mainland. The Xinhai Revolution had ushered in what is known as ‘the Modern China’ in the chronology of the study of China. Therefore, it is not just a commemorative event but also a celebratory event of the journey of the last century. In East Asian studies, modern history is subject to multiple controversies. Be it the case of Japanese textbooks or the celebration of the Geisha tradition or even the ongoing war of words over the sovereignty of islands and islets in the South and East China Seas, history has been subjected to interpretations by contemporary rulers and winners. And in that sense, East Asia is no different from other parts of the world. However, what is unique to East Asia is not how different countries have diverse interpretations, but how all want to hold onto them for their current projects o
perspectives, imaginations, dreams and ideas