In the midsummer of July, the city of Changchun, often referred to as the“Spring City of the Northern China,”hosted an academic feast. On July 20, 2024, the Fifth Joint Academic Conference of Chinese Ethnic Studies Societies (2024) and the Symposium on Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation and Building a Theoretical Research System for the Chinese National Community were successfully convened in Changchun, Jilin Province.
Since its inception in 2020, the Joint Academic Conference of Chinese Ethnic Studies Societies has become a premier platform for academic exchange in the field of ethnology. The first conference was held at Yunnan University, followed by the second, third, and fourth conferences at Lanzhou University, Southwest University, and Ningxia University, respectively. This year’s conference was hosted by Jilin University and brought together scholars from various disciplines across China, representing universities, research institutions, and government departments. The event aimed to advance the research on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation and promote the development of ethnology as a discipline.
The conference was co-hosted by the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Jilin University, with additional organizational support from several institutions, including Jilin University’s Research Base for Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation and the corresponding base under CASS. Other collaborators included Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University, School of Marxism, and prominent national academic societies such as the Chinese National Community Research Association, the Chinese Ethnological Society, and the Chinese Society for Ethnic Theory.
The event also received support from numerous specialized societies, including the Chinese Society for World Ethnology, the Chinese Society for Ethnic History, and the Chinese Society for Ethnic Languages. Co-organizers included the Journal of Marxist Theory Studies.
Prominent attendees included Chen Guohua, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Sciences at the Ministry of Education; Liu Yuanru, Second-Level Inspector of the Theory Department of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission; Liu Hao, Cadre of the Theory and Policy Division of the National Ethnic Work Bureau under the United Front Work Department; Wang Yanzhong, Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at CASS; Feng Qingzhong, Director and Party Secretary of the Jilin Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission; Chen Xizhe, First-Level Inspector of the Jilin Provincial Department of Education; Li Mingzhi, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of Jilin Province; Cai Lidong, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Executive Vice President of Jilin University; and Han Xiping, Deputy Party Secretary of Jilin University.
Additionally, presidents, vice presidents, and secretaries-general from 10 national first-level academic societies, along with nearly 100 experts and scholars from across the country, participated in this grand event.
This conference marked another milestone in fostering the theoretical development of the Chinese national community and contributed valuable insights and academic strength toward advancing ethnology and promoting national unity in the new era.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Qu Hongmei, Dean of the Institute for Social Sciences Research at Jilin University. In his opening remarks, Cai Lidong, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Executive Vice President of Jilin University, provided an overview of the university’s academic development and the progress of Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University.He emphasized the university’s commitment to deepening research efforts in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. Cai expressed Jilin University’s willingness to actively serve as a platform for academic exchange and warmly welcomed experts to visit frequently for collaboration and dialogue.
In his speech, Chen Guohua, Deputy Director of the Department of Social Sciences at the Ministry of Education, emphasized the significant mission of advancing theoretical research on the Chinese national community. He outlined seven key principles for this research:upholding integrity and innovation, clarifying foundational concepts, fostering cultural identity, adhering to truth and facts, serving overarching national objectives, building systematic frameworks, and cultivating moral character and talent.Chen called for the close unification of the research community dedicated to the Chinese national community theory, the strengthening of organized scientific research, and the pooling of collective strength to jointly advance the development of a theoretical research system for the Chinese national community. He stressed the importance of contributing to the establishment of an independent Chinese knowledge system and supporting the advancement of Chinese-style modernization.
In his remarks, Liu Yuanru, Second-Level Inspector of the Theory Department of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, emphasized that ethnic studies must always adhere to the correct research direction. He stated that thoroughly studying, promoting, and interpreting President Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving ethnic work is the foremost political responsibility of ethnic theory research in the new era.Liu highlighted the need to uphold first-class academic standards, continuously producing significant, original, and influential academic achievements. He also underscored the importance of cultivating well-structured, complementary, and cohesive research teams with a clear progression of talent. Furthermore, Liu called for the consolidation of research efforts nationwide, encouraging experts in philosophy and social sciences to work collaboratively, transform traditional modes of knowledge production, and create high-quality intellectual outputs. These efforts, he stated, are vital to contributing to the advancement of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Feng Qingzhong, Director and Party Secretary of the Jilin Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission, expressed gratitude to national ministries and the Chinese Ethnic Studies Societies for their strong support of ethnic theory research in Jilin Province. He congratulated Jilin University on its significant achievements in the field of ethnic studies and emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between universities and academic societies.Feng expressed his hope for substantial progress in partnerships through the integration of diverse resources, the establishment of strategic collaborations across multiple fields, and the acceleration of practical validation and application of research outcomes. He called for concerted efforts to write a new chapter in the theoretical research on the Chinese national community in the new era.
Li Mingzhi, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of Jilin Province, highlighted in his speech that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee, with Xi Jinping at its core, has explicitly identified forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation as the central theme of the Party’s ethnic work in the new era, as well as the guiding principle for all endeavors in ethnic regions.He called on ethnology researchers to shoulder their political responsibilities by deeply interpreting and promoting the theory of the Chinese national community. He urged them to leverage their academic strengths to continuously build a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation and to prioritize research-driven policy advice, actively serving ethnic work.
Wang Yanzhong, Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), briefly reviewed the historic achievements in ethnic unity and progress since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, particularly since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Drawing on the experiences of CASS’s work, the transformation and development of the ethnology discipline, the establishment of research bases, and the five years of hosting the Joint Academic Conference, he offered three key proposals:
1.Recognize the importance of building an independent theoretical system for the Chinese national community: He emphasized the necessity of constructing a historical, discursive, and theoretical framework for the Chinese national community, with participation from multiple academic disciplines.
2.Conduct in-depth research to support the Party’s ethnic work and the high-quality development of ethnic regions: He encouraged the formulation of practical and effective policy recommendations based on comprehensive research.
3.Strengthen the educational role of academic platforms: He underscored the importance of leveraging the influence of academic societies, research associations, and conferences to enhance academic and societal leadership, contributing to the promotion and dissemination of ethnic studies.
The keynote session of the conference was chaired in turn by Luo Kequan, Director oftheChinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University and Associate Dean of the School of Marxism at Jilin University; Wang Cheng, Deputy Director of the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University and Professor at the School of Marxism; and Song Qing, Deputy Director of the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University and Professor at the College of Literature. Fifteen prominent experts from various academic societies delivered keynote speeches, addressing the conference theme from diverse disciplinary perspectives.
Key Topics and Highlights:
1. Sinicization and Modernization of Marxist Ethnic Theory
Chen Jianyue, Executive Vice President of the Chinese Society for Ethnic Theory and Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), delivered a speech titled“Early Explorations in the Sinicization of Marxist Ethnic Theory.”By analyzing early documents of the Communist International and the Communist Party of China (CPC), Chen noted the significant influence of Soviet Russia on the CPC’s founding and its initial ethnic policies. However, CPC leaders actively sought to adapt Marxism to China’s specific context, laying the groundwork for the first major breakthrough in Marxist sinicization during the Yan’an period and charting a uniquely Chinese path to addressing ethnic issues.
Shao Yanmin, Chair of the Academic Committee of the Northeast Ethnic Research Center and a recipient of the national“Ten Thousand Talents Program”Teaching Master Award, presented on“The Ideological Implications of Marx and Engels on Unity in Multiethnic States.”Shao systematically analyzed the evolution of Marx and Engels’ideas on multiethnic states, offering valuable insights into the development of China’s unified multiethnic nation.
Wang Cheng, Deputy Director of theChinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University and Professor at the School of Marxism, shared his perspective in a speech titled“Three Dimensions of the Formation of the Chinese Nation from the Lens of Historical Materialism.”Wang explored the historical, objective, and subjective dimensions of the Chinese nation’s formation, providing a theoretical, rational, and philosophical foundation for studying the Chinese national community.
These keynote speeches, grounded in Marxist theory and interdisciplinary research, provided fresh perspectives on understanding the theoretical construction of the Chinese national community, enriching the discourse and advancing the field.
Chen Jianyue, Executive Vice President of the Chinese Society for Ethnic Theory and Research Fellow at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor Shao Yanmin,Directorof the Academic Committee of the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University and National“Ten Thousand Talents Program”Teaching Master, Delivers Keynote Speech
Wang Cheng, Deputy Director of the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University and Professor at the School of Marxism, Jilin University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Second, StrengtheningHistorical Foundations and Ushering in a New Chapter of National Development Duan Chao: Centralized Power and the Development of the Chinese National Community
Professor Duan Chao, Vice President of the Chinese Society for Ethnic History and Vice President of South-Central Minzu University, delivered a keynote speech titled“Centralized Power and the Formation and Development of the Chinese National Community.”In his presentation, he explored the connotations and evolution of centralized power and its impact on the consolidation and development of the Chinese national community and the“great unification”ideal. Duan analyzed its historical role in maintaining political authority and stabilizing border regions.
Bai Yudong: Han-Chinese Inscriptions on the Silk Road and Border Governance during the Northern Dynasties and Tang Period
Professor Bai Yudong, a council member of the Chinese Society for Ancient Ethnic Scripts and a faculty member at the Dunhuang Studies Institute of Lanzhou University, presented a keynote speech titled“Primary Sources for Border Governance in the Northern Dynasties and Tang Period—Chinese Inscriptions Found Abroad along the Silk Road.”Bai elaborated on the external dissemination of Chinese civilization during the Northern Dynasties and Tang periods, highlighting the universal unification perspective promoted by multiethnic empires. He also discussed the implications of these inscriptions for cultural exchange between the northern and southern regions and for governance of the nation’s borderlands.
Li Xuan: Early Conceptions of the Chinese Nation in Modern European English Literature
Professor Li Xuan, an executive council member of the Chinese Society for World Ethnology and a faculty member at Sichuan University, delivered a speech titled“An Exploration of the Chinese Nation in Modern European English Literature.”Li argued that the concept of the“Chinese Nation”in the English-speaking world originated from early European missionaries and explorers’initial observations of China. This notion was further reinforced and disseminated through books and periodicals, laying the foundation for the emergence of the concept of the“Chinese Nation”in the Chinese language context.
Professor Duan Chao, Vice President of the Chinese Society for Ethnic History and Vice President of South-Central Minzu University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor Bai Yudong, Council Member of the Chinese Society for Ancient Ethnic Scripts and Faculty Member at the Dunhuang Studies Institute of Lanzhou University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor Li Xuan, Executive Council Member of the Chinese Society for World Ethnology and Faculty Member at Sichuan University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Third,Guiding Modernization in Ethnic Regions with Scientific Theories
Gao Xiangdong: Population Mobility, Integration, and Regional Development in Chinese Modernization
Professor Gao Xiangdong, Executive Council Member of the Chinese National Community Research Association and Chief Expert at the Research Base for Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation at East China Normal University, delivered a keynote speech titled“Population Mobility, Integration, and Regional Development under Chinese Modernization.”Using detailed and accurate data complemented by visual illustrations, Gao presented a vivid analysis of ethnic population mobility and integration in urban areas since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, with a particular focus on developments in the new era. He proposed measures such as enhancing social support systems and strengthening legal frameworks to improve urban integration levels for people of all ethnic groups.
Alatanborig: Ethnological Research Methods with Chinese Characteristics and Modernization in Ethnic Regions
Professor Alatanborig, Vice President of the Chinese Ethnological Society and Dean of the School of Ethnology and Sociology at Inner Mongolia University, delivered a speech titled“Research Methods in Ethnology with Chinese Characteristics and Chinese-Style Modernization.”He emphasized that ethnology, as a comprehensive discipline, plays a vital role in the modernization of frontier ethnic regions. Using Inner Mongolia as an example, he demonstrated how research on the Chinese national community can support the formulation of region-specific policies based on the realities of frontier areas, providing both theoretical and practical support for the shared prosperity of all ethnic groups.
He Ming: Constructing an Independent Knowledge System for Chinese Ethnology
Professor He Ming, Vice President of the Chinese Ethnological Society and Dean of the School of Ethnology and Sociology at Yunnan University, gave a keynote address titled“Constructing an Independent Knowledge System for Chinese Ethnology: Positioning, Topics, and Principles.”He highlighted the foundational importance of ethnology to the nation’s identity and prosperity, describing it as a discipline crucial to national strength. Guided by Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, He proposed five principles for constructing an independent knowledge system in ethnology:preserving the spirit, seeking roots, broadening horizons, grounding research in reality, and fostering originality. This system, he argued, would serve the progress of Chinese-style modernization.
Professor Gao Xiangdong, Executive Council Member of the Chinese National Community Research Association and Chief Expert at the Research Base for Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation at East China Normal University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor Alatanborig, Vice President of the Chinese Ethnological Society and Dean of the School of Ethnology and Sociology at Inner Mongolia University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor He Ming, Vice President of the Chinese Ethnological Society and Dean of the School of Ethnology and Sociology at Yunnan University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Fourthly, the integration of multi-ethnic languages and the construction of the Chinese national community consciousness. In his keynote speech titled "The Linguistic Contact Perspective on the Consciousness of the Chinese National Community," Professor Lyu Songsong, Vice President of the Chinese Society of Ethnolinguistics and President of Baise University in Guangxi, argued that linguistic contact embodies the "genes" of the Chinese national community. With a long history, the civilization of China features abundant and diverse linguistic contact instances, vividly reflecting the interaction, communication, integration, and historical development of the various ethnic groups and the Chinese national community.The president of the Linguistics Association of Mongolic Studies of China and senior researcher Huhe from the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in his keynote speech titled "On the Origins of Northern Ethnic Groups and Their Languages from the Perspective of Phonetic Acoustic Patterns," stated that language is not only a carrier of culture but also a vivid historical fossil. Based on the linguistic development information reflected in phonetic acoustic models, he explored the linguistic similarities, relationships, origins, and evolution of Altaic-speaking ethnic groups. In his keynote speech titled "The Role and Challenges of Ethnic Language Translation in Cementing the Ethnic Community Consciousness of the Chinese Nation," Professor Wenya from Northwest University for Nationalities, the vice president of the Mongolian Language Studies Society of China, highlighted that ethnic language translation plays a significant and unique role in fostering the collective consciousness of the Chinese nation, preserving and protecting ethnic cultures, and enhancing cultural identity. It serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, strengthening the shared historical memories and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation, and this common value system offers robust impetus for the unity and progress of the Chinese nation.
Professor Lü Songcong, Vice President of the Chinese Society for Ethnic Languages and President of Baise University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Researcher Hu He, President of the Chinese Society for Mongolian Literature and Scholar at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor Wen Ying, Vice President of the Chinese Society for Mongolian Literature and Faculty Member at Northwest Minzu University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Fifth,Advancing Cultural Heritage and Promoting Ethnic Interaction, Exchange, and Integration
Zhong Jinwen: Cross-Linguistic Cultural Integration and the Formation of National Literature
Professor Zhong Jinwen, President of the Chinese Society for Turkic Languages and a faculty member at the School of Ethnic Minority Languages and Literature at Minzu University of China, delivered a keynote speech titled“Research on Cross-Linguistic Cultural Integration and the Formation of National Literature in the Chinese Nation.”Drawing on the broad perspective of Chinese culture and the interaction among various ethnic groups, Zhong illustrated the mechanisms of dissemination and formation of multiethnic folk literature through multiple case studies. He further explored issues related to the conceptualization and development of“national studies”(Guoxue).
Li Jin: The Contemporary Value of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation
Professor Li Jin, Executive Council Member of the Chinese Society for Southwestern Ethnic Studies and a scholar at the Institute of Tibetan Studies at Sichuan University, presented a keynote speech titled“Interpreting the Contemporary Value of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation.”Li emphasized that intangible cultural heritage is a vital part of China’s outstanding traditional culture. He advocated for interpreting its contemporary value through the lens of Marxist principles, highlighting its continuity, innovation, inclusiveness, unity, and peaceful nature. This approach underscores the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation and the role of intangible cultural heritage in building the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
Huang Caiwen: Local Construction and Everyday Presentation of Chinese Cultural Symbols
Professor Huang Caiwen, Executive Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Southwestern Ethnic Studies, Executive Council Member of the Chinese Ethnological Society, and Director of the Yunnan Provincial Institute of Ethnic Studies at Yunnan Minzu University, delivered a keynote address titled“The Local Construction and Everyday Presentation of Chinese Cultural Symbols.”Using Shilin Tofu as an example, Huang explained how this regional specialty evolved from a local identifier into a shared cultural symbol of the Chinese nation. He emphasized that studying such cultural symbols enriches the understanding of Yunnan’s culinary traditions while reflecting the multidimensional practices of ethnic interaction, exchange, and integration in frontier regions.
These presentations collectively emphasized the importance of cultural heritage in fostering unity and integration among all ethnic groups, reinforcing the shared cultural identity of the Chinese nation.
Professor Zhong Jinwen made a keynote speech.
Professor Li Jin, Executive Council Member of the Chinese Society for Southwestern Ethnic Studies and Faculty Member at the Institute of Tibetan Studies, Sichuan University, Delivers Keynote Speech
Professor Huang Caiwen, Executive Secretary-General of the Chinese Society for Southwestern Ethnic Studies, Executive Council Member of the Chinese Ethnological Society, and Director of the Yunnan Provincial Institute of Ethnic Studies at Yunnan Minzu University, Delivers Keynote Speech
The participating scholars unanimously agreed with President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation as the central theme of the Party’s ethnic work in the new era and as the guiding principle for all efforts in ethnic regions. They highlighted the importance of guiding people of all ethnic groups to firmly establish a sense of solidarity, shared honor and disgrace, mutual dependence, and common destiny.
The scholars proposed the following key objectives:
1.Promoting Broad Interaction and Integration: Strengthen ethnic interaction, exchange, and integration to foster closer relationships among all ethnic groups.
2.Strengthening Theoretical Foundations: Advance the construction of the theoretical framework of the Chinese national community to lay a solid intellectual foundation.
3.Building a Shared Spiritual Home: Enhance cultural identity and emotional bonds among ethnic groups while crafting and sharing compelling narratives of the Chinese nation.
4.Advancing Chinese-Style Modernization: Actively promote modernization in ethnic regions and build a modern civilization for the Chinese nation.
These efforts aim to foster unity, cultural confidence, and mutual understanding among all ethnic groups, contributing to the comprehensive development and progress of the Chinese nation.
Wang Feng, Deputy Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Delivers Conference Summary
The closing ceremony of the conference was chaired by Professor Shao Yanmin,Directorof the Academic Committee of Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University anddeputy dean ofthe School of Marxism, Jilin University. Wang Feng, Deputy Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered the conference summary.
In his remarks, Wang Feng highlighted the significance of this year as the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and a pivotal year for achieving the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan. He emphasized that the conference, convened in the context of the successful conclusion of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, demonstrated the strong sense of responsibility, urgency, and mission shared by the participating organizations, academic societies, research bases, and scholars.
Wang noted that the guidance provided by attending leaders offered clear and actionable directions for advancing high-quality development in ethnic studies during the new era. The keynote speeches delivered by experts, covering various academic disciplines and perspectives, enriched the intellectual landscape of ethnic studies and deepened research in related fields.
He further pointed out that the conference marked a new phase of integrated development for China’s academic platforms in ethnic studies. The close collaboration between academic societies and research bases has strengthened organized scientific research, fostering interdisciplinary inspiration, mutual support, and integrated growth. This collaboration contributes to the construction of a theoretical research system for the Chinese national community and enhances efforts to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Wang concluded by emphasizing the conference’s academic leadership role and its contribution to serving the high-quality development of ethnic work in the new era, expressing gratitude to all participants for their insights and dedication.
