The Rise of Han‐Centrism and What It Means for International Politics

By John M. Friend and Bradley A. Thayer

Volume 17, Issue 1, pages 91-114

Abstract

This article addresses the rise of Han‐centrism, a form of hyper‐nationalism, in contemporary China. As Chinese nationalism has become more ethnocentric since the 1990s, the cultural chauvinism of Han‐centrism has become increasingly more influential in the debate over national identity. Within this narrative, Han culture is considered to be the authentic character of the nation; to deviate from the Han identity will only tarnish Chinese exceptionalism and impede China’s rise. While Chinese nationalism consists of many competing discourses, we argue that Han‐centrism has a significant influence within both policy‐making circles and the public sphere in China, and, as a result, has important consequences for the future of international politics.

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