Editor's note
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In the first few years after the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, Mao Zedong and his fellow leaders wanted to learn how to stage large socialist-style events for the masses. They sent delegations to the USSR to watch how the Soviets did it, and then set about planning their own to mark China’s National Day on October 1.
Today, as communist China celebrates its 70th anniversary with a huge display of military might in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, such parades still play an important role for the Chinese Communist Party to validate the political status and legitimacy of its leadership. Xun Zhou tracks the history of these parades – and the periods when China didn’t have them – to show what they reveal about the changing nature of the state’s concerns and
priorities.
And as China marks this anniversary, Ruairidh Brown looks at the role Marxism has in the country today. He argues that the way China continues to champion its role in the battle against imperialism provides it with a useful argument for the continuation – rather than the withering away – of the state.
And don’t miss this story on how researchers proved bacteria can change shape to avoid antibiotics, or a fusion expert explain why the Conservatives’ pledge for nuclear fusion by 2040 is wishful
thinking.
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Gemma Ware
Global Affairs Editor
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Top stories
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Preparations for China’s 70th anniversary parade.
Wang Zhao/EPA
Xun Zhou, University of Essex
What 70 years of mass military parades reveal about the Chinese Communist Party's rule.
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China: 70 years later.
How Hwee Young/EPA
Ruairidh Brown, University of Nottingham
What role does Marxist theory about the state play in modern China?
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Researchers have evidence of another method that bacteria use to avoid antibiotics.
Sirirat/Shutterstock
Katarzyna Mickiewicz, Newcastle University
This breakthrough could be key in fighting antibiotic resistance.
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Inside a fusion reactor tokamak.
Efman/Shutterstock
Thomas Nicholas, University of York
Nuclear fusion may power our post-carbon societies – but it won't save us from climate change.
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Arts + Culture
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Renaud Foucart, Lancaster University
Vinyl records are set to become the largest source of revenue from physical music sales.
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Adam Behr, Newcastle University
Regarded as one of The Beatles finest albums, Abbey Road is the last time all four band members were in the studio together.
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Politics + Society
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Nicholas Clapham, University of Surrey
As the recent Brexit litigation has shown, the UK's Supreme Court has had to consider political as well as legal issues in its first ten years.
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Matthew Flinders, University of Sheffield
The humiliation of asking for a Brexit extension could be a price worth paying to get an election.
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Health + Medicine
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Charalampos (Babis) Rallis, University of East London
Ageing may be caused by hyperfunctioning genes.
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Science + Technology
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Leighton Andrews, Cardiff University
Mark Zuckerberg's recent meetings with US lawmakers suggests his company is worried about the growing number of investigations, regulations and fines it faces.
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Business + Economy
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Stephanie Decker, Aston University
Thomas Cook may be history – but that history is about to be lost.
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Environment + Energy
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Camilla Nelson, University of Notre Dame Australia; Meg Vertigan, University of Newcastle
Greta Thunberg's critics say the climate activist is unstable, hysterical and mentally ill. That's because she challenges the view that the world is theirs to conquer.
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Featured events
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Julian Study Centre Lecture Theatre, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — University of East Anglia
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB11PT, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Anglia Ruskin University
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