We welcome Emily Feng, NPR International Correspondent.
In today’s China, questions of identity are no longer private. They are political, enforced, and deeply personal. This talk explores contemporary China through lived experience, drawing on NPR correspondent Emily Feng’s reporting and her new book on identity and belonging under Xi Jinping. Blending analysis with vivid personal stories, it examines how politics and ideology shape everyday life for people from diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The discussion highlights the tension between China’s social diversity and the state’s increasingly narrow vision of national identity, as well as how individuals navigate pressure to conform. It also addresses the challenges of reporting from inside China today and explains why human-centered narratives are essential for understanding the country beyond headlines and geopolitics. Join us for an intriguing discussion on the role of identity in political conformity and resistance in China today.
A reception for this event will take place from 5:15 – 6pm. Join us and meet other community members interested in the world.
Location and Parking
The program will take place at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504).
Free parking is available.
Tickets
The event is free and open to the public and registration and/or tickets are not required to attend in person.
Video recordings of all programs will be posted on our YouTube channel, click here.
Our Supporters
More information on the Foreign Policy Association Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation Special thanks to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum Special thanks to Recording sponsor Grand Rapids Community College Special thanks to Media sponsors, WGVU and Grand Rapids Community Media Center Special thanks to Topic sponsor Grand Valley State University
On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. This year’s Great Decisions series reflects our country’s long history in global affairs and the current events that shape our continued engagement with the world. To join in other America250 initiatives, visit: https://america250.org/
