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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Geographical and architectural imaginations

of roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and housing drew journal Shijie wenxue (World Literature, previously titled
a prosperous picture of the newly-independent nation. as Translation, or Fanyi), the only periodical publishing
These publications were among the earliest sources of translated literature in the early 1950s, presented nearly
geographical information accessible to Chinese readers 200 translated works from African literature, including
and helped them to develop a preliminary understanding poems, novels, dramas, folk tales, and other genres (Yuan &
of West Africa. Zhang, 2020). The production of geographical knowledge
The journalistic endeavors that focused on the general (architecture, art, literature, and geography) through
condition of West Africa were complemented by an initiative travel, observation, communication, and publication
to translate and introduce Asian and African literature to embodied China’s intention to better understand the vast
Chinese audiences. For example, from 1958 to 1964, the developing countries in the context of Western isolation.
China and the African nations, to some extent, shared
similar experiences of political independence, economic
development, and cultural prosperity.
2.2. The experiences and lessons gained in aided
projects in the tropical regions
In contrast to certain Western architects who relied on
colonial networks to practice modernist architecture
in tropical regions, Chinese architects developed their
knowledge of these areas through continuous practice, and
learning from experience gained in the foreign-aid projects
(Zhu, 1964). But in the mid-1950s, the understanding of
Chinese professionals of the tropics was limited. When
designing factories in Vietnam, some Chinese architects
relied on domestic experience, particularly the northern
design specifications and norms influenced by Soviet
Figure 2. The planning of people’s commune in Hebei Province, exhibited expertise, to address local demands. As a result, many
in Conakry, 1960. Source: Shijie zhishi, 1961, no. 24. industrial buildings featured “fat” beams and columns

Figure 3. Chinese delegation visiting eight countries in West Africa. Source: Renmin huabao, 1961, no. 9.

Volume 5 Issue 1 (2023) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.200