Chinese Science Fiction during the Post-Mao Cultural Thaw.

The article focuses on the development of Chinese science fiction during the post-Mao cultural thaw (1976–1983), highlighting how key themes such as ecological concerns, intellectual roles, and national pride emerged in this formative period. It examines the genre’s roots in science writing and youth literature, its institutional support, and its evolving relationship with Western influences, particularly through translations and political shifts. The study centers on three major male authors—Zheng Wenguang, Ye Yonglie, and Tong Enzheng—and traces the genre’s expansion from print to graphic works (lianhuanhua), film, and television. The analysis underscores the post-Mao thaw as a critical era that shaped Chinese science fiction into a distinct genre with lasting cultural significance.