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The People’s Republic of China harbours the collective value of unity among all, including the majority ethnic group in China, the Han nationality. This is depicted in China’s nationalist spirit. As per the beliefs of Dr Sun Yat-Sen, nationalism in China was established to have a united front and preserve national unity among all ethnic communities.
Nationalism in China emerged during the Qing dynasty when the people united as one to support their nation following its defeat in the First Sino-Japanese war. The different ethnicities in China, such as the Han Chinese, with a population of 90%, and other minority ethnic groups such as the Mongols, Tibetans, Uyghurs, etc, are the different national identities of China. This article discusses the majority ethnic group in China and discusses Chinese nationalism.
National consciousness
Nationalism in China was inspired by European nationalism.
Nationalism in China has been a long historic event because China was colonised for a long period by different foreign powers.
During the 19th century, China faced a series of large-scale internal revolts and suffered from the military aggression of foreign powers that banned special rights and privileges in China.
Due to a terrible defeat, humiliation from the foreign nations, and loss of faith in the Manchu dynasty, the people of China established a national consciousness of a unified nation.
The national unity of China was seen during the anti-Japanese war during the Second World War, in which the nation stood as one against foreign aggression and defeated Japan.
Ethnicity
During the triumph of the Qing dynasty set up by the Manchus in the 17th century, certain groups such as the Tibetans, the Mongols, and the Uyghurs were incorporated as a part of China.
However, it was a difficult task for the Manchus to gain the trust and loyalty of the people of China. So they adopted certain methods to win over the people so far as they assimilated into the country, describing them as Chinese people.
The relationship between ethnicity and identity for the people of China is complicated due to the invasion of foreigners such as the Manchus into their land leading to a rebellion from the country’s people. The Han Chinese is the majority ethnic group that came into existence because of the rebellion against the Manchus.
Marxism has also inspired Chinese nationalism following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
The Han Chinese people form the majority ethnic group spread over all the regions of mainland China. There have been many ethnic identity debates over the Han majority ethnic group’s supremacy.
Ethnic Minorities
The ethnic minorities of China include the Chinese Muslims, the Tibetans, the Mongols, and the Uyghurs.
Also, the Chinese Muslims have played a major part in the nationalism of China; they are the mixed descendants of Persians and Arabs, mixed with the Han Chinese.
The identity debate has been a part of the movements led in China by the people from minority ethnic groups.
A Chinese Muslim, Hu Shonshan, preached the idea of unity amongst all the ethnic groups of China and was against foreign imperialism while being totally against the anti-nationalist people who spread hatred among the people of the country.
Several leaders from the Tibetan minority have preached the idea of the oneness of all and that Tibet should be a part of Mainland China to achieve fast modernisation.
The Uyghur warlords had supported nationalism in China in the 1930s and 1940s by eliminating religion from politics and preaching the idea of unification.
Though the Han Chinese form the majority ethnic group, followed by other non-Han Chinese ethnic groups. China’s official policies do not discriminate between people based on ethnicity.
The People’s Republic of China’s government recognises over 56 ethnic groups in China and has rules and laws to preserve the interests of the minority communities in China. China’s official policies support a harmonious relationship between all communities and ethnicities.
Conclusion
China is a land comprising multi-ethnic groups with rich cultures and traditions. The people of China believe in loyalty, honesty, benevolence, unity, courage, courtesy and harmony. The majority ethnic group is the Han Chinese, followed by the minority groups such as Tibetans, Mongols, Chinese Muslims, and Uyghurs. China’s official policies preserve the interests of all the ethnic groups in the country.
