Author Description

How have the sounds of China crossed borders, shaped by cultural, political, and technological forces? This volume traces Chinese music's journey from 19th-century diasporas-driven by trade, migration, and imperialism-to today's hyper-connected digital age, spanning locales from Japan and Jamaica to Italy and San Francisco. It examines how sound constructs identities, contests colonial and national power, and redefines cultural belonging across global contexts. Structured into five sections (Asia, Maritime Worlds, Diaspora, Film, Media) and 17 case studies, the book explores the sonic dimension of China's modern history and global presence. From Cantonese opera and Buddhist chants to propaganda records and classical repertoires, it analyzes how technologies like phonographs, radio, and cinema amplified sonic circulation, shaping social and cultural impacts of music worldwide. By weaving historical depth with global perspectives, the volume offers a comparative lens to understand the dynamic role of sound in China's transnational interactions and cultural negotiation.