On the afternoon of May 9, Professor Wang Yanzhong, Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Chief Expert at the Research Base for Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation under the guidance of four central ministries, delivered an insightful lecture at Jilin University. The event was held in Lecture Hall 5 of the Yifu Teaching Building on the central campus. The lecture, titled“Key Theoretical Issues in Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation: Establishing a Correct View of Chinese National History,”was hosted by Professor Shao Yanmin,Directorof the Academic Committee of the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University.
Participants included Professor Luo Kequan, Director of the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University, members of the teaching team for the course Introduction to the Chinese National Community, and over 120 students.
Professor Wang’s lecture provided a thorough exploration of theoretical issues related to forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, focusing particularly on the importance of cultivating a correct historical perspective on the Chinese nation. The event offered both academic enrichment and practical insights for students and faculty alike.
Wang Yanzhong Explores Key Theoretical Issues in Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation
During his lecture, Professor Wang Yanzhong focused on four key aspects: the evolution and central positioning of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, foundational theoretical issues, critical relational dynamics, and the implementation of key tasks in this regard.
Major Themes of the Lecture
1.Evolution and Central Positioning
Professor Wang began by discussing the evolution of the significant assertion of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. He introduced President Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving ethnic work, emphasizing the groundbreaking idea that forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation serves as the main thread of the Party’s ethnic work in the new era and the overarching guideline for all work in ethnic regions.
2. Theoretical Foundations
Professor Wang then conducted an in-depth analysis of the concepts of“ethnic group,” “Chinese nation,”and“Chinese national community.”He explained that an ethnic group is a stable community formed at a certain stage of historical development, characterized by shared traits in historical origins, production modes, language, culture, customs, and psychological identity.
He elaborated that the Chinese nation is a collective entity formed through millennia of shared civilization, continuous interaction, and integration among various groups inhabiting the land of China. The concept of the“Chinese nation,”though coined in modern times, refers to a clear, tangible entity that represents a unified, multiethnic nation-state. It is not a mere aggregation of the 56 ethnic groups in China but a family where interdependence is essential. It is neither an“imagined community”nor a theoretical abstraction but a super-sized, integrated community deeply rooted in traditional Chinese civilization and committed to modern civilization.
The Chinese national community, as defined through Marxist community theory, underscores the unity, commonality, and indivisibility of the Chinese nation while emphasizing its pluralistic and integrated structure. This provides a theoretical framework for guiding the Party’s ethnic work in the new era.
3. The Importance of Historical Perspective
Building on these analyses, Professor Wang guided attendees in considering the critical question,“Why is historical perspective important?”He emphasized that the historical view of the Chinese national community is a scientific synthesis of the development history of the Chinese nation. Quoting President Xi Jinping, Wang highlighted the“four commons”:
•Our vast territory was developed jointly by all ethnic groups.
•Our long history was written jointly by all ethnic groups.
•Our brilliant culture was created jointly by all ethnic groups.
•Our great spirit was nurtured jointly by all ethnic groups.
These“four commons”reflect a Marxist perspective on ethnicity and history, capturing the dynamic formation and development of the Chinese nation. They provide an objective conclusion drawn from the historical facts of ethnic interaction and integration, aligning with China’s historical evolution and development trajectory.
The“four commons”represent a unified historical view, linking the ethnic groups of historical China to contemporary China, offering a holistic understanding of the development of the Chinese nation.
Closing and Acknowledgments
The lecture concluded with an engaging Q&A session and warm applause.Professor Wang expressed his gratitude for the invitation from Jilin University and the Chinese Northeastern Nationality Study Center of Jilin University, stating his intention to strengthen collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Center in the future.
In his closing remarks, Professor Shao Yanmin described the lecture as one of“political height, academic depth, and informational richness,”providing attendees with a feast of intellectual and academic nourishment.
