Shanghai bookstore opens in D.C. for open discussions

Yu Miao opened a bookstore in Washington, D.C., after being forced to close his Shanghai branch in 2018 due to government censorship. The Chinese authorities had refused to renew the lease for Jifeng Bookstore, citing its intellectual events as a threat to the regime. This move is part of a broader trend of moderate Chinese emigrés leaving the country amid increasing repression under Xi Jinping and economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yu aims to create a space for open discussions and to introduce readers to Chinese traditions and politics through English-language books. The new bookstore has quickly become a nostalgic space for those who remember the original Jifeng Bookstore in Shanghai. Visitors like Wenxuan Fang and Lei Zhou express excitement about finding Chinese literature in the U.S., including banned books and contemporary intellectual works that are hard to access abroad. Yu's efforts to establish the bookstore have been challenging, particularly as he navigates the complexities of running a business in English. Yu reflects on the influence of Yan Bofei, the original founder of Jifeng Bookstore, who continues to inspire him with the belief in the vital role of bookstores in public life. The opening of this new location represents not just a personal achievement for Yu but also a significant cultural bridge for the Chinese diaspora in America. As the bookstore fosters a community of readers and thinkers, it stands as a testament to resilience against censorship and a commitment to free expression, highlighting the importance of dialogue and understanding in a diverse society.