Chinese nationalism and identity? What does it mean to be "Chinese"?

Question

As you all know, China is NOT the nation of Han people, but rather a state of many minorities. China is not trying to eliminate them, but rather has promoted the growth of minority populations (e.g. one child policy doesn't apply to them) and granted them affirmative action to give them more power, education, etc. How well it actually works is questionable.. still, the Han dominated gov clearly intends to keep all the different nationalities united as one "Chinese people" -guomin-

Now, nationalism is often times ethnic (race), or civic (political participation). Chinese identity and nationalism is clearly not ethnic based, as explained. But it's not civic either since it's not democratic, and so a Manchu cannot say he's Chinese because he votes and is represented in the government (as in the USA).

So what does it mean to be Chinese? Is it simply that you live within the borders? Or does it not exist, China being simply a multiethnic empire like Ancient Rome or Austria-Hungary?

Just so we're clear, the question should be more like what does it mean to be of the "Chinese nationality" rather than what does it mean to be "Chinese". I think when people refer to plain ol' "Chinese" people as an ethnicity, they're mostly referring to the Han ppl.
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So I guess the best way to do this is compare with USA. Many minorities here live differently, listen to different music, wear different types of clothes etc... but they are American because they can vote and are represented and have some control over the country's destiny. So I am Chinese, but I am also a part of this American nation because, with political participation, I, in some ways, "am" America.

There's also this common and shared belief in American "values" that links us all together.. e.g., I believe in freedom, liberty, human rights, like all Americans.

So how does the multiethnic Chinese nation (Zhonghua Minzu) work? How does it stay together (besides force)?

Answer 1

In general, I agree with your statement. But let me clarify some of the issues:

guomin (國民 or nationalist) Are you quoting some doctrine from the Nationalist? I agree with the statement I just wonder where is the source.

"Now, nationalism is often times ethnic (race), or civic (political participation). Chinese identity and nationalism is clearly not ethnic based, as explained. But it's not civic either since it's not democratic, and so a Manchu cannot say he's Chinese because he votes and is represented in the government (as in the USA). So I guess the best way to do this is compare with USA. Many minorities here live differently, listen to different music, wear different types of clothes etc... but they are American because they can vote and are represented and have some control over the country's destiny. So I am Chinese, but I am also a part of this American nation because, with political participation, I, in some ways, "am" America."

This statement is semi-true. The "Han 漢" people are made up of approximate 92% of the population. I just don't think the vote will effect the outcome giving the current government structure. This is like saying Chinese Americans living in America has no voice. The government does not represent the minorities. And that contradicted you statement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Chinese

"So what does it mean to be Chinese? Is it simply that you live within the borders? Or does it not exist, China being simply a multiethnic empire like Ancient Rome or Austria-Hungary?"

You are correct. There are many meaning of being "Chinese". In what aspects (cultural, economic, political)? This will take me more than 50,000 words to explain the full aspect.

"Just so we're clear, the question should be more like what does it mean to be of the "Chinese nationality" rather than what does it mean to be "Chinese". I think when people refer to plain ol' "Chinese" people as an ethnicity, they're mostly referring to the Han ppl."

That you may need to refer to the "Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China" 中华人民共和国国籍法

Here is the full aspect of the LAW:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality_Law_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China

"There's also this common and shared belief in American "values" that links us all together.. e.g., I believe in freedom, liberty, human rights, like all Americans."

Yep, this is a "Non sequitur" statement. Most of human being perceive these values. In Europe, they got these value installed too. Thereby, your logic "does not follow":

If I am American, American believe these value. You are not American. Therefore, you don't believe these value.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denying_the_antecedent

"So how does the multiethnic Chinese nation (Zhonghua Minzu) work?"

Zhonghua "中華" actually came from two words 「中國」&「華夏」

中國 means China. It has the territorial consideration. From the ancient writings (during the Sung dynasty) it means 1) the capital 2)the border 3) "the middle earth" or "middle nation". It also takes on the meaning 「中原」 This is the area of yellow river. We believe the Han culture started here as well.

夏 means the Xia dynasty (history). The Xia Dynastyca. 2070 BCE–1600 BCE,of China is the first dynasty to be described in the Records of the Grand Historian and unofficial Bamboo Annals, which record the names of seventeen kings over fourteen generations lasted 431 or 471 years. This is the first dynasty that the "Han" really establish themselves around Yellow river.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xia_Dynasty

Thereby, the meaning of being "Han" Chinese cannot be distinguished from 中華 (territorial, history, culture, etc.)

"How does it stay together (besides force)?"
For the formation of Zhonghua Minzu, I may suggest six theories:

(1) It is formed historically by conquest and war (2) It has common language (although many other culture are different from Chinese they can be written in Chinese characters such as Korea, Vietnam etc.); (3) Share common area (through migration and intermarriage of other race- Most of Chinese history is about the Huns Vs Hans :)；(4) share common economic interest；(5) share common culture interest (Yes. Food (tofu), medicines (acupunctures) etc. are shared amount these groups of people- Yes. The Koreans love to claim that they invented these.)；(6)Shares stabilities. (Hail yeah that beats the killing of Kurds vs. Shiites vs. Sunnis every day. I will not suggest going back to Saddam's type of rule. But what anyone do to stop everyone killing each other. Yes. They maybe minorities. But how to maintain it?)

Answer 2

To be a Chinese citizen usually means that you work in an factory 12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week making products for the USA. This country has supported communism more than Castro, Stalin, and Karl Marx combined. We have made communist China the richest country in the world.

Our "captains of industry" have been responsible for this, by relocating their companies to that communist nation so that they can get their $20 or $30 million dollar bonuses each year. In China, they are paid 25 cents an hour. These industrialists should resign out of shame and disgrace.

Answer 3

Nationalism is sovereignty in accordance with geography and that i could upload the specific pastimes and concerns of a set of folk, that could and could variety from people to people. the government is the automobile we use to declare our will. the different of that's what we've arising the pike: the hot worldwide Order. they're going to let us know how super it fairly is that we get to be a area of one massive worldwide and that we could continuously all merely carry hands and sing Kumbaya. we will not have religions or international locations beginning all those wars we hate. purely one little subject with that subject. in addition they plan to get rid of our sovereignty, our rights to undergo hands and use them against a corrupt government or to redress problems by using our government, which will grow to be beholden to the UN or another worldwide organisation. In essence we are able to lose our means and if we grumble we would be pronounced to not be soo narrow & nationalistic and to think of correct to the ravenous tens of millions worldwide. specific, we could continuously care approximately suffering on and rancid our borders yet do we actually sparkling up the worldwide's problems? And are *their* intentions fairly that benign and could we believe that they are going to fairly end employing conflict to bugger people from their substances and guard administration? do not wager on it.

Answer 4

You would think that it was all Chinese. This race is a very confused race if it is not one.

Answer 5

Just different tribe of different community .

Answer 6

In america right now it means to be deep in sh!t.