China and the International Astronomical Union

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The narrative explores a significant crisis in 1960 when China withdrew from the International Astronomical Union in protest against Taiwan's admission. This event was part of a broader trend affecting various scientific unions and the Olympic Games. The book highlights how the Olympics later became a platform for China's gradual reconciliation with the international community, culminating in its re-opening to the world two decades later. Through this lens, it examines the interplay between politics and science during a tumultuous period in history.