Event Details

WHAT: Author Heather Salter discusses her new book "The Shanghai Agents" โ€“ a 1930's tale of espionage involving Russia, China and the West โ€“ with Paul French (online)



WHEN: Nov. 4, 2026 Wednesday, 9:00 to 10:00 PM Beijing Time. PLEASE NOTE we'll start at 9:00 PM in Beijing.



MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Heather Salter uncovers a remarkable secret history of espionage and counterespionage, repression and resistance, corruption and courage, heartbreak and betrayal in Shanghai between the world wars. At the heart of this story lies the fate of Tatyana Moiseenko and Yakob Rudnik โ€“ known then only as Paul and Gertrud Ruegg โ€“ a couple arrested, tried, and imprisoned for running a clandestine communist spy ring. Against the backdrop of the battle between communism and anti-communism that would shape much of the twentieth century, this dramatic history provides a uniquely human perspective on the global volatility of the 1930s. Through Tatyana and Yakobs' eyes, Salter traces global police networks, MI6 in China, and the worldwide reach of the Comintern to shed light on the deep historical roots of relations between Russia, China, and the West.



MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Heather Salter is Professor and Director of World History Programs at Northeastern University, Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Duke University and, most recently, is the author of "The Shanghai Agents: The Soviet Plot to Start a Revolution in Interwar China" (Cambridge 2026). Her early travels overseas inspired a lifetime interest in people who fought against colonialism, which later translated to a career researching, writing, and teaching about it. See her website for more information:

https://cssh.northeastern.edu/faculty/heather-salter/​



MORE ABOUT THE MODERATOR: Paul French was educated in London and Glasgow. He lived and worked in China for many years. His book "Midnight in Peking" was a New York Times Bestseller while "City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir" prompted The Economist to write "โ€ฆ in Mr French the city has its champion storyteller." His book "Her Lotus Year: China, the Roaring Twenties and the Making of Wallis Simpson" received positive reviews as well, and his latest, "The Last Emperor of China", a dramatic retelling of the story of China's last emperor and empress was published in August 2026.



HOW MUCH: Free for RASBJ members. RMB 50 for members of partner branches in London, Shanghai and Hong Kong. RMB 100 for non-members. Alipay may be an easier payment method than WeChat. You can also pay by credit card. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at rasbj.glueup.cn/org/rasbeijing/memberships/​



HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click, "Register" or "I will attend" on this notice and follow the instructions. After successful registration you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the online event. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.



Members of partner RAS Branches: Please register 72 hours before the event to allow time for membership verification. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails.

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REFUND POLICY: Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. However, if RASBJ cancels an event, all registrants will be refunded.

Speakers

  • Heather Salter (Speaker)

    Heather Salter

    Speaker

    Heather Salter is Professor and Director of World History Programs at Northeastern University, Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Duke University and, most recently, is the author of “The Shanghai Agents: The Soviet Plot to Start a Revolution in Interwar China” (Cambridge 2026). Her early travels overseas inspired a lifetime interest in people who fought against colonialism, which later translated to a career researching, writing, and teaching about it. See her website for more information:

    https://cssh.northeastern.edu/faculty/heather-salter/


    Heather Salter is Professor and Director of World History Programs at Northeastern University, Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Duke University and, most recently, is the author of “The Shanghai Agents: The Soviet Plot to Start a Revolution in Interwar China” (Cambridge 2026). Her early travels overseas inspired a lifetime interest in people who fought against colonialism, which later translated to a career researching, writing, and teaching about it. See her website for more information:

    https://cssh.northeastern.edu/faculty/heather-salter/


    Heather Salter is Professor and Director of World History Programs at Northeastern University, Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Duke University and, most recently, is the author of “The Shanghai Agents: The Soviet Plot to Start a Revolution in Interwar China” (Cambridge 2026). Her early travels overseas inspired a lifetime interest in people who fought against colonialism, which later translated to a career researching, writing, and teaching about it. See her website for more information:

    https://cssh.northeastern.edu/faculty/heather-salter/



    Heather Salter is Professor and Director of World History Programs at Northeastern University, Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in History from Duke University and, most recently, is the author of “The Shanghai Agents: The Soviet Plot to Start a Revolution in Interwar China” (Cambridge 2026). Her early travels overseas inspired a lifetime interest in people who fought against colonialism, which later translated to a career researching, writing, and teaching about it. See her website for more information:
    https://cssh.northeastern.edu/faculty/heather-salter/

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  • Paul French (moderator)

    Paul French

    moderator

    Paul French was educated in London and Glasgow. He lived and worked in China for many years, and has published books; written articles and reviews; and contributed to podcasts and events including many for RASBJ. His book “Midnight in Peking” was a New York Times Bestseller while “City of Devils: A Shanghai Noir” prompted The Economist to write “… in Mr French the city has its champion storyteller.” His book “Her Lotus Year: China, the Roaring Twenties and the Making of Wallis Simpson” received positive reviews and his latest, “The Last Emperor of China”, a dramatic retelling of the story of China’s last emperor and empress was published August 2026.

    view more