The MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University hosted a significant lecture on March 15, 2024, focusing on the life and legacy of Zhou Enlai, China’s first Premier. The event, titled “Zhou Enlai and China’s ‘Age of Revolutions,’” featured Chen Jian, a history professor at New York University and NYU-Shanghai, who has authored a comprehensive biography of Zhou published by Harvard University Press.
Zhou Enlai, a pivotal figure in the Chinese Communist Party, played a crucial role in shaping the early domestic and foreign policies of the People’s Republic of China. His influence spanned key historical moments, including the Cultural Revolution and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States during the 1970s.
Kathy Rupp, director of the Council on East Asian Studies, emphasized the importance of the Hume Lectures, named after Edward H. Hume, a Yale alumnus from 1897. Rupp noted that the lectures aim to bring esteemed scholars in East Asian studies to the university, with recent focuses on China. “We hope that Yale students and other members of the Yale community will learn more about this very important area of the world,” she stated in an email.
Chen Jian was introduced by Arne Westad, a Yale history professor, who praised Chen’s scholarly contributions to modern Chinese and international history. Westad remarked, “There are very few people who had the kind of impact that he has had on the writing of Chinese history and international history in his generation.”
During the lecture, Chen explored the significance of using the term “revolutions” in reference to 20th-century China, suggesting that the period encompasses multiple transformative events, from the 1911 revolution to the Cultural Revolution. He stated, “The subject of my talk today, Zhou Enlai, was involved in almost every phase of this age.”
Central to Chen’s analysis was Zhou’s complex relationship with Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. Contrary to previous interpretations that depict Zhou as an accomplice to Mao, Chen argues for a more nuanced understanding of Zhou’s political stance. “Certainly he was not a Maoist, certainly not an internalized Maoist,” Chen explained.
Drawing on extensive archival research, Chen illustrated Zhou’s contributions to the Chinese Communist Party’s strategies that led to their victory over the Nationalist Party in the Civil War. He suggested that Zhou sought to maintain a democratic ethos after the CCP came to power but faced continual suppression from Mao, who wielded absolute authority over the party. “He tried very, very hard to serve as a good premier,” Chen noted, acknowledging that this desire ultimately positioned Zhou as a “Mao enabler.”
Chen also examined Zhou’s impact on China’s foreign policy, recalling a conversation with Henry Kissinger during a visit to Yale. He mentioned a confidential meeting between Kissinger and Zhou in 1973, where Kissinger proposed assistance to China in the event of a Soviet missile attack, which Zhou neither confirmed nor denied.
To conclude, Chen shared a personal reflection on the complexities of Zhou’s legacy, recounting how people often posed the question of whether Zhou was a “good guy or bad guy.” “No, I cannot answer this question,” he stated, highlighting the multifaceted nature of historical figures.
Attendees expressed appreciation for the depth of the lecture. Jamin Nuland, a student, described Chen as “a great storyteller,” noting the lecture’s nuanced portrayal of Zhou Enlai. Aiken Wang, another student, remarked on the unique opportunity to delve into Chinese history, especially given the limited course offerings on the subject at Yale.
The MacMillan Center, located at 34 Hillhouse Avenue, continues to be a vital hub for academic discourse on East Asian studies, fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s historical complexities.
