Han chauvinism is a political ideology that speaks out for the ethnic Han Chinese people and its uniqueness throughout human history. Han chauvinists believe that the current influence from the West has downgraded the development of China's own cultural customs, and in response, it has become instrumental in leading the increasingly traditionalist movement, which was launched in 2001. Participants come together both online and in person in cities across China to revitalize their vision of the authentic “Great Han” and corresponding “real China” through traditional ethnic dress and Confucian ritual.[1][2]
| Han chauvinism | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 大漢族主義 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 大汉族主义 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Great Han-ism | ||||||||
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| Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 大漢民族主義 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 大汉民族主义 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | Great Han nationalism | ||||||||
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The constitution of the People's Republic of China officially opposes "Han chauvinism" and "local ethnic chauvinism". The latter refers to nationalism based on the anti-Han sentiment or separatist nationalism of ethnic minorities in China.
History
Han Chinese nationalism has a historic root of being focused on the Han Chinese people, the dominant ethnic group in China. Han Chinese nationalism had been often used as a rallying force stemming the historical pride of Han Chinese people and the way it developed to become one of the world's earliest civilizations.[3][4]
Since the Han dynasty, ideas of Han Chinese nationalism have appeared when China started to adopt ethnic minorities, Han were called "Huaxia" at the time.[5][6][7] The Han people called themselves "Han" since the Southern and Northern dynasties to commemorate the Han dynasty and then distinguish it from the Northern nomadic peoples.[citation needed]
Mao Zedong first criticized Han chauvinism in 1938 and these criticisms continued throughout his rule.[8] For example, Mao's 1956 speech On the Ten Major Relationships emphasizes the need to oppose Han chauvinism.[9]
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s notions of China as a multicultural state have been subjected to criticism by the western media.[10] Many policies have been made to give privileges to minority ethnicities, leading to legal inequality.[11][12]
CCP former leader Deng Xiaoping also criticized Han chauvinism.[8]
The current CCP general secretary Xi Jinping has officially criticized Han chauvinism.[13] However, the Chinese Dream, a core concept of Xi is believed by some to have nationalistic dimensions,[14][15][16] and it has been alleged that the CCP under Xi has portrayed itself as the custodian of a conservative, Han-centric vision of "China's outstanding traditional culture".[17]
In ethnic relations
Although the current Chinese government has largely attempted to promote the idea of a multiethnic nationalism instead of a singular ethnic nationalism, individuals have pointed about the lack of an agreed-upon definition of Chinese nationalism may have impacted on China's political decision with regard to other non-Han people and non-Chinese nations.[18][19][1][20]
Tibetans
Since the annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, controversy has existed due to the view that Tibet was historically a feudal region which practiced serfdom/slavery and that this only changed due to communist influence in the region in order to liberate the Tibetans.[21][22][23][24] Some academics have described relations with Tibetans as a form of Han settler colonialism.[25][26][27]
Xinjiang
Since 1758, the region of Xinjiang have had issues with government policy, which further extended to ethnic relations.[28] Han and Hui people often live closer to Uyghurs and stereotypes were developed.[29]
Mongols
Mongols have been perceived to be better integrated into the society than that of Uyghurs and Tibetans.[30] However, there were ethnic tensions and stereotypes.[31][32]
Relationship to Chinese nationalism
Han nationalism and Chinese nationalism (as well as Han Chinese chauvinism or Chinese chauvinism) are different in terms of ideology, with the latter frequently focusing on a more multi-ethnic form of nationalism.[33] There were a significant and large group of proponents of a multi-ethnic form of Chinese nationalism along with other scholars as well.[34][35]
The multifaceted image of Han Chinese nationalism further developed during the buildup to modern Chinese statehood.[36][37][38][39] Han Chinese nationalism also played a part in World War II, when the Second Sino-Japanese War occurred, where the Han Chinese people frequently suffered, and fought, against the Japanese.[40][41]
