Chinas cultural diversity has impeded the creation of a common national

identity. How far do you agree with this statement?

China is culturally a diversified society beset by many differences between
the Hans and the other 55minority communities and amongst the Han
majority. The given statement in question would be valid to a limited extent,
as efforts make by the CCP government to forge a common Chinese national
identity have been persistent, creative and largely successful. Endeavor as
such is also facilitated by the fact that over 92% of all Chinese belonged to
the Hans, who share identical cultural and historical roots. Meanwhile, interethnic conflicts and an increasingly complex modern society, a process
unleashed by CCPs market reforms after 1978, have continued to plague
efforts at nation-building by the authorities.
Cultural differences that arise from divisions amongst the ethnic
communities are powerful obstacle against the creation of a common
Chinese national identity. Separatist sentiments are strong in Tibet and
Xinjiang. Certain ethnic minorities such as the Tibetans, Uyghurs and some
Mongols do not consider themselves Chinese, citing cultural and even
historical differences. These minorities, who are largely religious, do not
share the secular values upheld by most Han Chinese. The CCP government
and its repressive policies are viewed by these people with hostilities, who do
not agree with the national ideals that it represents. Instances of conflict
between the Tibetans and other Chinese Muslims in the western provinces
are common. Sentiments of provincialism and regionalism are strong even
with the Han majority. There is also general distrust by the Han majority
towards the minorities of the restive regions.
Chinese society is complicated by the collapse of CCPs ideological
dominance and the revival of traditional values. Such could obstruct the
generation of an identical national identity. Before the reforms of 1979,
Maoism has been the ideology unifying all Chinese across different ethnic
and linguistic backgrounds. The Chinese identity then is synonymous with
being red and communist. After the opening up of 1979, many have reverted
to seeing themselves as descendents of the ancient and continuous Chinese
civilization. Meanwhile, there is significant minority especially from the older
generation who remained loyal to their former Maoist belief. Even the CCP is
suffering from an identity crisis. During the opening ceremony of the 2008
Beijing Olympics for example, Chinas Confucianist legacy and historical
achievements are showcased while the Marxist roots of its regime are
conspicuously absent. This could further alienated the non-Han Chinese from
sharing a common national vision as the traditions that are revived are
exclusively of the Han majority.
Meanwhile, exposure to foreign influences has resulted in the development
of a complex and heterogeneous society which could impede the making of a

common identity. Younger Chinese, particularly those from the coastal cities,
has adopted a more cosmopolitan view of their identity, considering
themselves global citizens. Many who are attracted to and have adopted
Western emphasis on personal rights and freedom, have disconnected from
their traditional or even former communist identity, with its advocacy of
collectivism. The above has also led to the creation of a vast social and
cultural gulf between the urban and the more conservative rural Chinese.
This is reinforced by their income disparity. While Chinese living in cities may
have viewed their country as a progressive and industrializing nation, their
compatriots in the countryside would probably feel alienated from Chinas
development. Formation of a common national identity is therefore difficult
given the diversity of the new values embraced by Chinas modern society.
However, CCPs policies at promoting social unity and political stability have
undermined the divisive effects of cultural differences on its efforts at nation
building. Governments promotion of the use of Putong Hua as Chinas lingua
franca has been successful at unifying Chinese from different linguistic
backgrounds. This is especially effective amongst the Han Majority as they
are now no longer divided by their regional dialects. The use of simplified
scripts also encourages higher literacy rate and popular use of the Chinese
characters by the people. History was reinterpreted in school textbooks so
that younger Chinese would begin to see themselves as one people beyond
their own ethnic identity. Heavy-handed militant rule over the restive
provinces has successfully weakened separatist tendencies amongst certain
minority communities.
Nationalism is also employed skillfully to advance the governments priority
at forging a common national identity. Events such as the 2008 Beijing
Olympics and the 2010Expo are organized to instill nationalistic pride in
every Chinese. At times, anti Japanese and even anti-West sentiments are
exploited to unite the Chinese behind the partys vision for the country. For
example, popular anger was easily stirred by the CCP against perceived
slight by the western countries towards Chinas ethnic policy in Tibet and
Xinjiang. Meanwhile, visits by Japanese leaders to the infamous Yasukuni
Shrine prior to 2007 often united the Chinese in their common hostilities
against Japan. The CCP government in their education and propaganda
campaigns over the media constantly highlights to its people the ulterior
intentions of foreign forces at sabotaging Chinas development.
On the other hand, it is important to note that the deep cultural and
historical roots shared by all Han Chinese have greatly expedited the
creation of a modern national identity. The fact that more than 92% of all
Chinese belong to the Han majority is the greatest reason for ensuring
Chinas national unity. All provinces and military regions in China are headed
by Han bureaucracts. Most Chinese, including the minorities, would consider
China as a Han state and the CCP a Han government despite official denial.

Even the CCP leadership implicitly considers itself the successor to a

continuous line of Han Chinese ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Putonghua or Mandarin, the official language of China, is infact a dialect of
the Hans. Confucianism, Daoism and the other traditional practices revived
by the party belong to those the Hans.
Rapid urbanization, a process unleashed by CCPs successful economic
reforms, also aided in the formation of a common culture, conducive to the
development of a shared national character. Cities in China are like great
melting pots assimilating many to live similar lifestyle and to adopt common
values. The hectic and competitive lives in cities have compelled most to
abandon their former socialist and traditional beliefs. Han language is widely
spoken by almost every Chinese as it is the language of commerce and
modernity. While minority cultures are preserved, many living in towns and
cities such as the Zhuang, Manchu and Korea have voluntarily assumed Han
names and are largely assimilated into Han culture to gain employment and
greater social acceptance.
In conclusion, the development of a common national identity is still an
ongoing process for the Chinese people. Except for some who would consider
themselves dispossessed people oppressed by the Beijing government, a
great majority perceive themselves as Chinese though their interpretation of
what the identity could mean may differ.

China diversity makes it impossible for it to create a common national identity. Do

you agree?
Cultural differences that arise from divisions amongst the ethnic communities are
powerful obstacle against the creation of a common Chinese national identity.
Chinese society is complicated by the collapse of CCPs ideological dominance and
the presence of diverse values. Such could obstruct the generation of an identical
national identity.
Meanwhile, globalization has resulted in the development of a complex and
heterogeneous society, which could impede the making of a common identity.
However, CCPs policies at promoting social unity and political stability have
undermined the divisive effects of cultural differences on its efforts at nation
building.
Nationalism is also employed skillfully to advance the governments priority at
forging a common national identity.
On the other hand, it is important to note that the deep cultural and historical roots
shared by all Han Chinese have greatly expedited the creation of a modern national
identity.
Rapid urbanization, a process unleashed by CCPs successful economic reforms also
aided in the formation of a common culture, conducive to the development of a
shared national character.
The given statement in the question would be valid to a limited extent as efforts
made by the CCP to forge a common national identity have been persistent,
creative and largely successful. This is also facilitated by the fact that over 92% of
all Chinese belonged to the Hans, who share identical cultural and historical roots.
Meanwhile, inter-ethnic conflicts and an increasingly complex modern society, a

process unleashed by CCPs market reforms after 1978, have continued to plague
efforts at nation building by the authorities.

To what extent has social and economic diversity of China impeded the creation of a
strong Chinese national identity?
The concept of modern nationhood is new to China. Dengs reforms after 1978 have
destroyed much of the socialist identity built during the Maoist era. Ideological void
as such, together with ethnic and regional fault lines, accentuated by rapid and
drastic socio-economic changes, continued to hamper governments efforts at
creating a consistent national identity. This is nonetheless redeemed by the
presence of an overwhelming Han majority and their largely cultural-historical
homogeneity.

To what extent would you agree that the greatest obstacle to Chinas
attempts to forge a national identity is its geographical diversity?