In a fascinating new book, Make China Great Again: Online Alt-History Fiction and Popular Authoritarianism, Professor Rongbin Han delves into a burgeoning genre of science fiction where characters from the present journey back to rewrite historical events. These tales, often focusing on bringing modern technologies or political reforms to ancient China, offer a unique insight into contemporary Chinese thought.

The 238 most popular stories out of 2,100 analyzed depict time travelers using their knowledge to correct perceived past mistakes and humiliations. Han’s research reveals that these narratives are not just flights of fancy but serve as subtle propaganda tools for legitimizing the Chinese Communist Party's rule by echoing nationalist themes.

Interestingly, while there are women who travel back in history, male authors dominate this genre with their quests to remake China's past. The Ming dynasty is a favorite setting, with a strong belief that it was the Manchurian Qing dynasty’s fall that led to China’s lag behind in industrialization.

The political landscape of web novels is shaped by censorship, yet some popular stories like Red Dawn, which advocates for an earlier Communist revolution, continue to circulate despite being removed from official platforms. This highlights the delicate balance between artistic freedom and state control.