Join us for a discussion on China’s interest in Mars, its relationship with space exploration, and how Martian life might impact its culture.

This presentation will explore the cultural role of Mars in science fiction and Chinese mythology, and project a vision of Martian settlement through the lens of exploration history, international investments, and China's migration patterns. We’ll also investigate the interaction between the country’s environment and its cultural values, examining how Martian life could influence fundamental aspects of Chinese identity.

Don’t forget your radiation suits — and your chopsticks!

The presentation will be conducted in English.

Xueting C. Ni is a writer, speaker, curator, and literary translator. She has written extensively on Chinese culture for a decade and a half, working with companies, institutions, and festivals, to help improve understanding of China’s heritage, culture, and innovation. She is the author of From Kuan Yin to Chairman Mao: An Essential Guide to Chinese Deities (Weiser Books) and Chinese Myths (Amber Books). Her curated collection Sinopticon: A Celebration of Chinese Science Fiction (Solaris), won Best Anthology at the BFS Awards, 2022. Her new collection Sinophagia: A Celebration of Chinese Horror (Solaris), will be published in September 2024. She is currently working on a book on wuxia culture and various other projects.

Find the complete Cozzzmonautica program here.