Yuan Tengfei

Yuan Tengfei (; born February 8, 1972, Beijing), is a historian and former history teacher in the People's Republic of China. In an article in The New York Times, Yuan claims that history textbooks in China included omissions because the ruling government fears challenges to its authority, illustrating this by comparing this to the USSR: "They didn't begin telling the truth in the Soviet Union until after it collapsed, did they?" He was a popular guest in Lecture Room of CCTV. Additionally, he released several books based on his history lectures in classrooms and on TV.

Yuan graduated from Capital Normal University with a major in Chinese history, and taught Chinese history in various Beijing high schools. He came to popular attention when videos of his history courses for Beijing cram school were posted online in 2008, which were made available behind the school's paywall. The videos were copied, presumably without any authorization, and posted to other free video-sharing websites.

Although Yuan is not a political dissident, his lectures on modern Chinese history present sensitive topics such as the Great Chinese Famine and the Cultural Revolution in details that are not ordinarily covered in the history curriculum in China. In particular, he is deeply critical of Mao Zedong and his policies. Yuan called Mao one of the "three great despots" of the 20th century, rivalled by only Hitler and Stalin. He also once called the Mao Zedong Mausoleum in Tiananmen Square "China's Yasukuni Shrine". His lectures on such topics became an object of government attention and attacks from leftist conservatives, including threats of lawsuits for defamation.

Yuan has quit teaching position and signed contract with TaixueTV, where he broadcasts many online videos about historical topics and travelling programs.

Publications

《历史是个什么玩意儿1 —— 袁腾飞说中国史上》 《历史是个什么玩意儿2 —— 袁腾飞说中国史下》 《历史是个什么玩意儿3 —— 袁腾飞说世界史上》 《历史是个什么玩意儿4 —— 袁腾飞说世界史下》