About Geremie Barmé

Geremie R. Barmé was the founding director of the Australian Centre on China in the World at the Australian National University. He is an emeritus professor and editor of China Heritage (https://chinaheritage.net).

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Contentious Friendship

Posted on 6 September 2022 by Geremie Barmé

It is over fourteen years since I suggested to Kevin Rudd that he use the expression zhengyou 諍友 in a speech he was to give at Peking University (PKU) in April 2008. Zhengyou means a friend or an adviser who dares give voice to unpleasant truths, one who offers discomforting opinions and counsels caution. The … more

May Fourth at One-hundred-and-One

Posted on 4 May 2020 by Geremie Barmé

The Fourth of May marks China’s annual National Youth Day 五四青年節. It is ostensibly a time to celebrate the enthusiasm and independent spirit of youth. It commemorates the progressive, anti-imperialist student activists who, in 1919, led a national movement to protest against the unfair treatment of the Republic of China at the Versailles Peace Conference. Every … more