External publications

Shaolin without borders: assemblage, adaptation and the politics of culture in China–Zambia relations

Li, Hangwei
External Publications (2026)

in: African Studies Review, first published 10.03.2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/asr.2025.10170
Open access

Studies on Chinese cultural and religious engagement abroad are often framed through the lens of state-driven soft power. Drawing on the case study of the Zambia Shaolin Cultural Center (ZSSC), I challenge this state-centric interpretation, emphasizing the collaborative, relational, and fluid nature of China–Africa cultural and religious encounters. Inspired by “assemblage thinking” and based on fieldwork observation and interviews, I examine the heterogeneity, fluidity, and adaptability of Shaolin’s operations in Zambia. I argue that ZSCC should be viewed as an evolving assemblage where diverse actors and elements interact and co-create meaning through adaptation and negotiation.

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