Chinese Sports Diplomacy: A Comprehensive Historical Analysis, 1895 2008

Review of Olympic Dreams: China and Sports, 1895-2008 by Xu Guoqi

Cambridge MA and London: Harvard University Press, 2008. xi, 377 pp. Photos. US$29.95, cloth. ISBN 978-0-674-02840-1.

Xu Guoqi's comprehensive monograph presents a unique perspective on China’s athletic pursuits and its international relations through the lens of sports history. By adopting an international history approach, Xu utilizes global references to analyze the role that sports have played in China's political and diplomatic eavors since 1895.

The book offers a rich tapestry of events from multiple archives across Twan, Beijing, and Lausanne, highlighting how three partiesTwan, the People’s Republic of China PRC, and the International Olympic Committee IOC have utilized different strategic approaches. This complex interplay is particularly evident during the tumultuous 1950s to the early '80s when China was isolated from international affrs due to Cold War dynamics.

Xu's meticulous research sheds light on a series of fascinating events, including Ping-Pong Diplomacy, which symbolizes China's diplomatic breakthrough after decades of isolation. He offers an unprecedented look at this historic event through Western, especially American, perspectives, providing insight into the American response and internal debates that occurred during President Nixon’s visit to China in 1972.

The Montreal Olympics of 1976, a chapter that Xu meticulously analyzes, presents a critical moment when the Two-China issue reached its zenith. The competition was not merely about athletic prowess but also political maneuverings involving Beijing, Tpei, Canada, the United States, Germany, Australia, and other participating countries.

The drama unfolded as both Beijing and Tpei sought to represent China at the gamesa task complicated by Twan's IOC membership status at the time. This chapter offers an in-depth examination of how diplomatic tensions nearly jeopardized the Olympic Games, with repercussions that could have reshaped global politics had they been resolved differently.

Xu's monograph is meticulously researched, providing new insights into the history of China and its sports diplomacy, contributing significantly to our understanding of Chinese politics and international relations. It is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts interested in the historical development of sports as a tool for political negotiation and the evolution of China’s place on the global stage.

Fan Hong

School of Public Policy and Global Affrs

University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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