Shifting Sands: Landscape, Memory, and Commodities in China's Contemporary Borderlands

Shifting Sands is an ambitious appraisal of China's borderlands, illustrating their transformation from imperial backwaters to hotbeds of resource exploitation and human development in the age of neoliberal globalization. Xiaoxuan Lu's combination of archival research, fieldwork, cartography, and landscape analysis broadens our understanding of the political economy and cultural changes in China's borderlands. All borderlands are transnational, shaped by multidirectional flows of materials, ideas, and people.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2023
Publisher: University of Texas Press

Chinas borderlands, spanning an expansive area of 14.18 million square kilometers, are the world's longest, shared with fourteen other nations. These borders, which are not mere lines on a map but dynamic spaces with rich histories and uncertain futures, hold immense significance. In his book, Shifting Sands: An Ambitious Appraisal of China's Borderlands, Xiaoxuan Lu delves into the comprehensive scope and profound impact of these regions. Through a unique blend of archival research, fieldwork, cartography, and landscape analysis, Lu offers a fresh perspective on the political economy and cultural transformations that have taken place in China's borderlands over the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

While conventional wisdom often attributes China's "opening" to the era of Deng Xiaoping, Lu challenges this notion by demonstrating how China's borderlands have been integrated into national and international networks since the early days of Sun Yat-sen's presidency. However, it is important to note that the state has played a significant role in shaping the borderlands, leaving a lasting imprint on their physical and socioeconomic landscapes. Nonetheless, all borderlands are transnational, shaped by the complex interplay of multidirectional flows of materials, ideas, and people.

In Shifting Sands, Lu explores the diverse political, economic, and cultural dynamics that have shaped China's borderlands throughout history. He examines the complex relationships between the state, local communities, and foreign powers, highlighting the ways in which these interactions have influenced the development of borderlands. The book also sheds light on the struggles and resilience of borderlanders, who have navigated the challenges of living in a region that is often characterized by instability, conflict, and economic inequality.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of globalization on China's borderlands. Lu argues that the neoliberal economic policies adopted by the Chinese government in the late twentieth century have led to the exploitation of natural resources and the growth of industries in the borderlands. This has resulted in significant economic development, but it has also led to environmental degradation, social unrest, and cultural displacement.

Lu also explores the role of borderlands in shaping China's national identity and culture. He argues that the borderlands have served as a melting pot of different ethnic groups, languages, and customs, creating a unique cultural landscape that is distinct from the rest of China. The borderlands have also been a site of cultural exchange and hybridization, with influences from neighboring countries and the global community permeating local traditions and practices.

In conclusion, Shifting Sands is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of China's borderlands. Through his original combination of research methods and analytical approach, Lu provides a valuable contribution to the field of border studies. The book sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of borderlands, challenging traditional narratives and offering new insights into the political, economic, and cultural transformations that have taken place in these regions over the past century.

ISBN-13: 9781477327555