An Analysis of the Contemporary Chinese National Community Consciousness

• In Event: Poster Session: Dynamics of Authoritarianism in China & New Research in African Politics
  In Poster Session: Poster Session: Dynamics of Authoritarianism in China

Abstract

Due to the advancement of information and network technology, the changes of social, political and economic circumstances in China and abroad, especially the rise of China after its reform and opening-up, Chinese traditional nationalism has developed into a new nationalism and become one of the most crucial factors influencing China’s politics. In the Internet age, online activities have become the main expression of China's new nationalism, netizens have become the primary actors, and the narrative content has changed from "national grief" to "national rejuvenation". From the perspective of basic demands, forms of expression, and participants, since 1997, China's new nationalism has experienced three stages: rise, development, and expansion. Overall, China’s new nationalist actions are mainly stimulated by relevant international and domestic events; the participating groups are mainly young students of different generations; the basic appeal is to safeguard China’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity interests and its status in the world system. When it comes to individuals’ political life and China’s foreign policies, the new nationalism could engender either positive or negative results.

Author

• Jun Wang