Beijing’s All Sages Bookstore: A Thriving Intellectual Haven despite Political Restrictions
All Sages Bookstore in Beijing stands as a thriving intellectual haven despite the political restrictions and crackdowns faced by civil society in China. Founded over 30 years ago by Liu Suli, a once-prominent dissident and pro-democracy activist, the bookstore continues to flourish as a landmark in Beijing’s intellectual landscape.
The bookstore’s new location in a major shopping center surrounded by prestigious universities, research institutes, and tech companies has provided it with greater exposure and a larger customer base. It remains a popular destination for intellectuals and scholars seeking academic books on political science, history, sociology, and translated works of Western ideas.
Liu Suli, who was arrested for his involvement in the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989, lost his teaching position, but went on to co-found the All Sages Bookstore. Despite his personal history, Liu has managed to maintain good relations with dissidents, human rights lawyers, and silenced academics. The bookstore itself has become an irreplaceable spiritual home for Chinese intellectuals.
All Sages Bookstore has garnered attention from the Chinese media and academia, with speculation about the reasons for its recent relocation. Liu has not revealed the true reason, but he insists that authorities have not interfered with the bookstore’s operations. The establishment’s success can be attributed to Liu’s extensive social contacts, recognized taste in books, and his ability to appeal to a broader readership, including lawyers, doctors, businesspeople, and even government officials.
Despite the strict censorship of media and online speech in China, All Sages Bookstore remains a cultural landmark. Liu has carefully avoided openly challenging the regime, allowing the bookstore to attract a wider range of customers. By offering a diverse selection of books and monitoring the book-buying habits of his elite clientele, Liu can discern the societal issues that draw attention at different times.
The bookstore serves as a barometer of Chinese society, reflecting the interests, trends, and concerns of the intellectuals and readers within the country. It continues to provide a space for intellectual exploration, offering classic academic works and contributing to the intellectual fabric of Beijing. Despite the challenges and restrictions, All Sages Bookstore showcases the resilience and enduring desire for knowledge in a politically repressed society.
In a world where intellectual freedom is threatened, All Sages Bookstore stands as a symbol of hope, reminding us that even in the face of political restrictions, there are still possibilities for intellectual growth and the pursuit of knowledge.
