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The Meaning of China (1972-02-29)

Public Broadcasting1972Creative Commons
Poster for The Meaning of China (1972-02-29)

About this film

Mr. Terrill, whose articles--based on first-hand reporting--had had an electrifying effect, comes from the social-democratic side of things, and there are times when this show turns into a matter-versus-anti-matter clash. WFB: "Now, I understand you to ask the questions: Is it really wrong that a central authority should tell this professor what to study, and this guy what books to write? And the very fact that you consider this an open question is remarkable and says a great deal about your appreciation of China, suggesting that we are a way station to Orwell." RT: "Let me tell you why I ask the questions: because I think we don't approach China from a fixed point, as if our world is settled and beyond criticism.... And I want people to think about their own society at the same time as they think about China. In the past, we've looked at China as a kind of exotic area--as if, indeed, it were another planet--without thinking that there were points, problems with points, about our own country as well."

Directors & creators

Southern Educational Communications Association

Subjects

public broadcasting, AAPB, Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr., Foreign relations, United States, China

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