This panel examines the interplay of global and local historical forces in shaping modern China. By adopting a deterritorialized historical approach, the panel challenges binary frameworks of nation and region, exploring the dynamic and interactive processes that underpin their relationship. The panelists view the global-local nexus as a continuum, not as discrete or oppositional entities, revealing how global and local realities are deeply intertwined in producing unique historical, cultural, and societal outcomes. Through diverse case studies, this panel illuminates how these interconnected forces shaped modern Chinese history.

Each panelist addresses a distinct dimension of this global-local dynamic, contributing to a broader understanding of the formative interplay between local realities and global phenomena.

Dandan Chen investigates the global-local nexus through the lens of "global Jiangnan," redefining Jiangnan as a fluid and interconnected region shaped by global influences. Distinct from the broader concept of the "South," Jiangnan’s evolution across pre-modern and modern contexts reflects its unique position within global processes. Chen employs Deleuzian concepts such as deterritorialization and reterritorialization to explore how Jiangnan transformed into a foldable and dynamic space, influenced by shifting temporal and spatial forces. Her study bridges local cultural traditions with global flows, positioning Jiangnan as a critical example of how local identities are reconstructed through global interactions.

Hanchao Lu explores the history of Jewish communities in China as a reflection of the global-local nexus. The Jewish community in twelfth-century Kaifeng and the twentieth-century Jewish refugees in Shanghai exemplify how global migration patterns intersect with local adaptations. Lu highlights how these communities navigated local Chinese contexts while maintaining global connections, demonstrating the continuity of global-local interactions over centuries. By examining their integration into Chinese society, Lu reveals how localized experiences serve as microcosms of broader global processes.

Le Tao analyzes modern Chinese sports history to illustrate the global-local interaction. Tao examines how miniature football (xiao zuqiu), developed in 1920s Shanghai, adapted global sports trends to fit local cultural conditions. Similarly, the professionalization of Chinese sports in the 1950s, shaped by Soviet influence, highlights the interplay between global systems and local practices. Tao’s case studies underscore the dynamic relationship between global diffusion and local innovation, situating Chinese sports history within broader global-local interactions.

Aminda Smith examines global Maoism as a product of local initiatives that resonated internationally, highlighting how China’s socialist experiments in the early 1970s influenced global revolutionary thought. Smith challenges earlier claims that Maoism was misunderstood abroad, revealing how foreign revolutionaries engaged with local Chinese models such as Shanghai’s "barefoot doctors" and Zhejiang’s "peasant philosophers." These local experiments inspired radical thinkers worldwide, demonstrating how Maoist ideology bridged local practices with global revolutionary movements. Smith’s work underscores the reciprocal relationship between global diffusion and local origins, showing how Maoism’s global appeal was inseparable from its local roots.

Collectively, these discussions reveal the entangled nature of global and local forces, offering new insights into modern Chinese history. This panel is particularly relevant for scholars exploring transnational, social, and political history, linking local narratives to broader global trends.