WHAT: "Bombard the Headquarters: The Cultural Revolution in China," an RASBJ online conversation featuring author Linda Jaivin with Paul French

WHEN: May 28, 2025 Wednesday from 7-8 PM Beijing Time

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: In 1966, with the words 'Bombard the Headquarters!' Mao Zedong unleashed the full, violent force of a movement that he called the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. By the time he died ten years later, millions had perished, China's cultural heritage was in ruins, its economic state was perilous, its institutions of government were damaged and its society was bitterly divided. It's not just Mao's story, of course. Its history belongs to its countless witnesses, victims and perpetrators. It is a history of mass manias, deadly battles, betrayals, coups and spectacular falls from grace. The shadow of these years lies over the twenty-first-century nation, almost invisible and yet toxic. Linda will talk about what is usually remembered and what is often forgotten about the Cultural Revolution and why it is important to remember what is often forgotten. Moderator Paul French will join Linda in conversation.

MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Linda Jaivin is an Australian writer, film translator and the author of thirteen books including The Shortest History of China, which has been translated into almost two dozen languages and was named 2021's No. 1 book on China by fivebooks.com​. Her latest is Bombard the Headquarters! The Cultural Revolution in China. She reported on China in the 1980s for Asiaweek Magazine, and has enjoyed visiting her old haunts in the hutongs of Beijing.

MORE ABOUT THE MODERATOR: Paul French is the author of Her Lotus Year: China the Roaring Twenties and the Making of Wallis Simpson as well as Midnight in Peking and many other books and commentaries. For more information see the moderator's bio below.

HOW MUCH: Free for RASBJ members. RMB 50 for members of RAS branches in London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. RMB 100 for non-members. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership/​ You may find paying via Alipay easier than paying by Wechat; you can also use international credit cards.

HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: Please click "Register" or "I will Attend" no later than noon on May 26 and follow the instructions. After successful registration you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to join the event. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder. MEMBERS OF PARTNER RAS BRANCHES: Please register at least 72 hours in advance to allow time for membership verification. You will receive several emails from RASBJ confirming registration/payment. Please check your spam folder to ensure you see all RASBJ emails.

REFUND POLICY: Paying registrants will be refunded in full if RASBJ cancels or postpones this event.