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, 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.

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?