Wang Dong and Wang Yonggui: Firmly Establish a Correct Perspective on the History of the Chinese Nation [1]
In September 2024, at the National Commendation Conference for Ethnic Unity and Progress, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Chinese nation is a great nation with a civilization history of more than 5,000 years. All ethnic groups in our country together opened up our motherland’s vast territory, together founded our unified multi-ethnic state, together wrote the glorious history of China, together created the splendid Chinese culture, and together nurtured the great national spirit.” This important discourse is a theoretical explanation of the scientific connotation of a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation; it is a powerful ideological weapon for comprehensively understanding the major trends in the development of the Chinese nation and for continuously strengthening historical confidence. Firmly establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation is an inherent requirement for profoundly grasping General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving ethnic work, and is also an internal demand for advancing Chinese-path modernization through the development of the community for the Chinese nation.
I. Profoundly Grasp the Rich Connotation and Far-Reaching Significance of the View of Chinese National History Based on the “Five Togethernesses”
For over a hundred years, we have persisted in combining Marxist ethnic theory with the concrete realities of China’s ethnic issues and with fine traditional Chinese culture [1], creatively forging a correct path with Chinese characteristics for resolving ethnic issues. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, by inheriting and developing fine traditions, has adapted to the changes of the times and focused on forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation and strengthening the development of the community for the Chinese nation. He has proposed new practical requirements, endowing the correct path for resolving ethnic issues with Chinese characteristics with new connotations for the era. The view of the history of the Chinese nation based on the “Five Togethernesses” [2] profoundly reveals the historical foundation of this correct path and scientifically answers the questions of the era regarding where the Chinese nation came from and where it is going. It is a major achievement in advancing the development of the theoretical system of the community for the Chinese nation through the “Two Combinations” [3].
It has further enriched the Sinicized and modernized connotations of Marxist ethnic theory. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized that ethnic unity is the lifeline of the people of all ethnic groups in our country. A correct view of the history of the Chinese nation fully embodies the core essentials of Marxist ethnic theory—namely, the basic principles of upholding ethnic equality, maintaining ethnic unity, and promoting the common prosperity of all ethnic groups. It has greatly deepened our Party’s understanding of the patterns of ethnic issues and ethnic work. The correct view of the history of the Chinese nation creatively applies concepts from fine traditional Chinese culture, such as “all under heaven are one family” (天下一家) and “harmonious co-existence” (和合共生), to the process of recognizing and understanding the formation and development of the Chinese nation. It centrally reflects the “Two Combinations,” especially the “Second Combination.” It both adheres to the theoretical source of classical Marxist writers and inherits the roots of fine traditional Chinese culture, while endowing Marxist ethnic theory with new content and forms. Advancing with the times in practice, it has opened up a new realm for the Sinicization and modernization of Marxist ethnic theory.
It has further solidified the ideological foundation for forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation. To forge a sense of community for the Chinese nation is to guide people of all ethnic groups to firmly establish the community concept of sharing joy and sorrow, honor and disgrace, life and death, and destiny; it is the main thread of the Party’s ethnic work in the New Era. A correct view of the history of the Chinese nation systematically reveals how various ethnic groups have struggled and developed together in the course of history, showing how they have built a common home and created a common culture through practical interaction. This shared historical memory and cultural inheritance are precisely the foundation for the generation and consolidation of the sense of community for the Chinese nation. On the new journey in the New Era, establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation can reveal the internal logic of forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation at a theoretical level, thereby continuously solidifying its ideological foundation.
It has further deepened the understanding of the laws governing the development of nations themselves. A correct view of the history of the Chinese nation displays the history of various ethnic groups blending and converging into a pluralistic and integrated [4] Chinese nation. It not only demonstrates that the formation of the community for the Chinese nation is an inevitable result of the historical development of the Chinese nation, but also fully validates the possibility and feasibility of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation reflects the scientific thinking of Chinese Communists in grasping the historical positioning of building the community for the Chinese nation from the strategic height of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the historical depth of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization. Furthermore, it reflects systematic thinking on the relationships between the community for the Chinese nation and the modern transformation of Chinese civilization, as well as between the community for the Chinese nation and a community with a shared future for humanity. In the process of continuously deepening the understanding of ethnic development trends, experiences, and laws, it provides Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions.
II. Basic Principles and Methods for Establishing a Correct View of the History of the Chinese Nation
Establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation points the way for correctly recognizing and grasping the origins and historical pulse of Chinese civilization, as well as the pluralistic integration of the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization. It possesses extremely important contemporary value and practical significance, and must follow corresponding principles and methods.
Adhering to the scientific method of historical materialism. Historical materialism is our fundamental method for understanding and grasping history, and the primary principle we must follow in establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation. We must persist in using a developmental, interconnected, and comprehensive perspective to view the historical process of the Chinese nation moving from “in-itself” to “for-itself” [5]. We must grasp its internal characteristics with a “Big View of History” (大历史观) that connects the past, present, and future, and use a holistic vision and grand perspective to grasp the unity and continuity of historical China and contemporary China. This allows the rich process of the origin, development, and evolution of the Chinese nation to be displayed within a larger space of historical activity. We must grasp the content, form, and laws of the historical development of the Chinese nation across a broader timespan, thereby better recognizing that the community for the Chinese nation, formed by various ethnic groups in practice, is the aspiration of the people, the trend of the times, and a historical necessity.
Upholding the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation. A great nation creates a great culture, and a great culture nurtures a great nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Hold high the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation; protect, carry forward, and develop the treasures of Chinese civilization left behind through the vicissitudes of time.” The cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation is profoundly coupled with establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation and forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation. They interact and support each other in the rich practice of promoting the modern transformation of Chinese civilization and developing the community for the Chinese nation. A correct view of the history of the Chinese nation dialectically analyzes relationships such as “tradition and modernity” and “culture and civilization.” It emphasizes that the cultures of all ethnic groups have formed a pluralistic and integrated pattern of Chinese civilization through mutual learning and blending, endowing Chinese civilization with profound historical depth and driving its vital renewal and modern transformation. On the new journey in the New Era, we must always remain firm in cultural confidence, nourish the sense of community for the Chinese nation with the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, and continuously consolidate the civilizational foundation of the view of history based on the “Five Togethernesses.”
Firmly criticizing erroneous views of history. For a period of time, some people, under the guise of so-called academic research and theoretical innovation, have used means such as dismembering history, distorting history, and fictionalizing history to propose erroneous views on historical issues, which are somewhat deceptive and extremely harmful. We must clearly recognize the dangers of erroneous historical views and firmly establish a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation, guiding the people of all ethnic groups nationwide to accurately understand the developmental pulse of the history of the Chinese nation, thereby laying a solid ideological foundation and historical basis for forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation.
III. Practical Paths for Establishing a Correct View of the History of the Chinese Nation
Establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation is an important component of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving ethnic work, centrally embodying the scientific Marxist worldview and methodology. It is necessary to connect history and reality, fuse theory and practice, and continuously forge a sense of community for the Chinese nation, providing a powerful spiritual force for advancing the development of the community for the Chinese nation.
Strengthen historical research on the community for the Chinese nation. Continue to advance the Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilization [6], deeply researching and explaining the evolutionary path of the community for the Chinese nation and the historical changes of its pluralistic and integrated pattern contained within the origins of Chinese civilization. Systematically organize the practical journey of the community for the Chinese nation from "in-itself" to "for-itself," summarize its formative characteristics, patterns of change, and future direction, and continuously deepen the historical understanding of major fundamental issues concerning the community for the Chinese nation. On this basis, continue to study the history of interaction, exchange, and blending among various ethnic groups; delve into the rich historical facts of how various ethnic groups merged into the big family of the Chinese nation; focus on researching the process of all ethnic groups together opening up the vast territory; deeply analyze the history of struggle in which all ethnic groups together founded a unified multi-ethnic state; vividly present cases of all ethnic groups together writing a long history; vividly describe the experience of all ethnic groups together creating a splendid culture; and profoundly explain the pulse of all ethnic groups together nurturing a great spirit, thereby deepening the overall understanding and identity for the Chinese nation among all ethnic groups.
Actively construct a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation. Using the establishment and improvement of propaganda and education systems for forging a sense of community for the Chinese nation as a starting point, strengthen regularized and long-term development. Incorporate this into the national education and social education systems, deeply carry out education on ethnic unity and progress, and promote the fruition of practical educational activities for the sense of community for the Chinese nation in ethnic areas. Ensure that the innovative results of the Party’s ethnic theory enter the minds and hearts of the people, continuously consolidating the ideological foundation of the community for the Chinese nation. Comprehensively promote identification with Chinese culture, innovatively use rich media and new technical means for artistic performances, museum exhibitions, and literary creation. Adhere to the guidance of the socialist core values, and educate and guide the masses of all ethnic groups to firmly establish a correct view of the state, history, nation, culture, and religion. At the same time, comprehensively promote and popularize the standard spoken and written Chinese language, and fully implement the use of nationally compiled textbooks, promoting the connection of hearts and destinies through the connection of languages. Establish and highlight Chinese cultural symbols and images of the Chinese nation shared by all ethnic groups, creating a batch of cultural identifiers that are widely accepted and fully absorb the achievements of modern civilization. In the process of establishing a correct view of the history of the Chinese nation, stimulate the enthusiasm of all Chinese people to work together, and promote the Chinese nation to become a community with a shared future characterized by a higher degree of identity and stronger cohesion.
Tell the story of the Chinese nation in a tangible, perceptible, and effective way. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “We must tell the story of the Chinese nation well and vigorously promote the sense of community for the Chinese nation.” On the one hand, based on the great historical and contemporary practices of the Chinese nation and focusing on the historical process of ethnic interaction, exchange, and blending, we should focus on telling the historical stories of Chinese Communists advancing the development of the community for the Chinese nation, especially the historical achievements made in this regard since the New Era. Accelerate the construction of an all-media communication pattern, using methods favored by the masses to continuously enhance the attraction and appeal of stories about the community for the Chinese nation. On the other hand, tell the story of the Chinese nation’s development to the world, continuously create new concepts, categories, expressions, and systems for ethnic issues that connect China and the world, and actively build communication platforms and carriers for international dissemination. Tell the world about the developmental journey of the Party leading the people of all ethnic groups to improve people’s well-being, and show the world the contemporary face of the Chinese nation—one of unity, struggle, inclusiveness, and peace.
(The authors are respectively a researcher at the Institute for the Community for the Chinese Nation, Nanjing Normal University; and a Changjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor and Chief Expert at the Institute for the Community for the Chinese Nation, Nanjing Normal University.)
Source: Qiushi Journal (Red Flag Manuscript Edition), No. 6, 2025. Web Editor: Ma Jingren