Putting the ‘critical’ in heritage studies from non-Anglophone regions: China and beyond

Mapping the future trajectory of critical heritage studies, this paper provides a non-Anglophone perspective on the concept of ‘critical’ within the contemporary framework of critical heritage studies in China. It emphasises that scholarship from non-Anglophone regions should not be marginalised as a mere footnote, stereotypically portrayed as ‘the other’ in relation to Western discourse. Instead, these perspectives actively contribute to the field, engaging with global challenges. The notion of being ‘critical’ in this context is not a simple translation or appropriation of Western concepts, nor a straightforward critique of prevailing political and value systems. Rather, it represents an approach that integrates historical, transcultural, and political perspectives deeply rooted in local society and culture. These insights empower scholarship from non-Anglophone regions to enrich critical heritage studies with diverse intellectual resources, avoiding new forms of Western imperialism. In doing so, they fulfill critical heritage studies’ foundational promise of reshaping power dynamics in the realm of heritage studies.