Civil War in Guangxi: The Cultural Revolution on China's Southern Periphery

In 1968, Guangxi, a region in China with a large population of ethnic minorities, experienced severe and extensive violence during the Cultural Revolution. This book reconsiders explanations that draw parallels with ethnic cleansing in Rwanda, Bosnia, and other settings, revealing mass killings as the byproduct of an intense top-down mobilization of rural militia against a stubborn factional insurgency.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 03 April 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Guangxi, a region located on China's southern border with Vietnam, boasts a significant population of ethnic minorities and a history marked by rebellion and intergroup conflict. During the summer of 1968, when the Cultural Revolution reached its peak, Guangxi witnessed the most severe and extensive violence observed anywhere in China during that period of upheaval. Several cities experienced urban combat reminiscent of civil war, while waves of mass killings in rural communities resulted in staggering death tolls. Over a span of a few short months, more than one hundred thousand individuals lost their lives.

These tragic events have been documented in sensational accounts that vividly describe gruesome murders, sexual violence, and even cannibalism. However, it has only been recently that scholars have attempted to understand the underlying reasons behind Guangxi's exceptional level of violence. By examining a vast collection of classified materials compiled during an investigation by the Chinese government in the 1980s, this book offers a fresh perspective on explanations that compare Guangxi to ethnic cleansing in Rwanda, Bosnia, and other contexts. It sheds light on mass killings as the outcome of a rigorous top-down mobilization of rural militia against a resilient factional insurgency, reminiscent of brutal counterinsurgency campaigns in various settings.

In a methodical and comprehensive manner, Andrew Walder delves into the evidence, providing a groundbreaking new analysis of one of the most shocking chapters of the Cultural Revolution. Through his meticulous research, Walder challenges prevailing narratives and sheds light on the complex dynamics that contributed to the unprecedented levels of violence in Guangxi. This book is a valuable contribution to the study of China's recent history and offers valuable insights into the challenges of managing ethnic diversity and conflict in a rapidly changing world.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503635227