Rise of Modern Chinese Nationalism, Its Nature, and Role in Contemporary China - Essay Example

Order 161249 Rise of modern Chinese Nationalism, Its nature and role in contemporary China INTORDUCTION Before the nineteenth century, when China was still an empire, nationalism did not exist. The Chinese political elite began to embrace modern nationalist doctrines for China's defense and regeneration only after China's disastrous defeat by British troops in the 1840-1842 opium war, which led not only to the eventual disintegration of the Chinese empire but also to the loss of national sovereignty to imperialist powers. Since that time, the nationalist quest to blot out the humiliation China suffered at the hands of imperialist has been a recurring theme in Chinese politics. Almost all powerful Chinese political leaders from the early twentieth century through today have shared a deep bitterness at this humiliation and are determined to restore China's pride and prestige, as well as its rightful place in the world. In one of its earliest forms during the early twentieth century, Chinese movement led by the Han majority began to overthrow the Qing dynasty under which China was ruled by the Manchu .Ethnic nationalism views the nation as politicized ethnic group and often produces a state -seeking movement to create an ethnic nation-state. After the fall of the Qing in 19121, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the CCP in 1949 defined as a multi ethnic political community. Nationalism was introduced in the early twentieth century as a means to improve China through political and social reforms. In general the rise of modern nationalism in China has played a great role in the contemporary China. Therefore the nature and role of this Nationalism can be assessed in terms of economical aspects, political conditions, military developments and enhancement of foreign relations as explained below:- 1. Economy. a) Economic Aspects: Prior to 1978, the Chinese economy was centrally planned. However, after this period the Chinese leadership, started moving the economy to a more market oriented system .The system still works under the control of the communist, but the economic influence as non-state managers and enterprises has been increasing steadily. The Chinese authorities have adopted a system of household responsibility in agriculture instead of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small scale enterprise in services and manufacturing, as well as opened the economy of increased foreign trade and investment. The developments of economic growth in china can be assessed in the the following sectors. b) Agriculture. China is the largest producer and consumer of agricultural products. Half of China's labor force is engaged in agriculture, even though only 10% of the land is suitable for cultivation and agriculture contribute only 13% of china's GDP. China produces about 30% more crops and livestock than U.S. because of intensive cultivation. Largely china produces rice, wheat, Soya beans, vegetables, tea and pork. Major food crops include cotton, fibers and oil seeds. c) Industry. Industry has posted major gains especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and opposite Taiwan where foreign investment helped spurs output of both domestic and export goods. Major industries are mining or processing, steel, aluminum, coal, machinery, textile, Petroleum, cement, fertilizers, toys, electronics, automobiles and telecommunications. d) Science and Technology. China's political leadership comes almost from technical background and has a high regard for science. Chinese science strategists see China's greatest opportunities in newly emerging fields such as biotechnology and computers. Further US-China science and technology has remained the framework for bilateral cooperation. Recently technology agreement was to extend science and technology. Agreement was signed the agreement. The agreement covers cooperation in areas such as Marine conservation, renewable energy and health. e) Trade: China has advanced in Trade. China's primary trading partners include Japan, The EU, the United States, South Korea, and other African countries. China has taken important steps to open its foreign trading system and integrate itself into the world trading system. In November 1991, China joined the Asian Pacific Economic cooperation (APEC) group which promotes free trade and cooperation in the economic, trade, investment and technology spheres. China is a member of World Trade Organization (WTO) which it joined in December 2001; Export growth has boosted China's rapid economic growth. f) Foreign Investment: For the last 24 years, China has improved in terms of investment. In 1980s, China restricted foreign investments to export-oriented operations and required foreign investors to form joint venture partnerships with Chinese firms. In response to the stagnated economy in 1989 due to Tiananmen, China introduced legislation and regulations designed to encourage foreigners to invest in high-priority sectors and regions. As part of China's WTO occasion, it undertook to eliminate certain trade-related investment measures and to open up specific sectors that had previously been closed to foreign investment. New laws, regulations and administrative measures to implement these commitments are being issued at the end of 2005 and have now supposed those of Japan, making China's foreign exchange reserves the largest in the world. 2. Political Conditions The republic of china has the President as the head of state and premier who heads the government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The first national government of the Chinese republic was established in 1912. Sun Yat - Sen. was appointed a provisional president. The provincial delegates who confirmed the authority of the national government formed the first parliament. The power of this national government was limited because the generals controlled both central and northern provinces of china. When Yuan died in 1913 parliament reconvened to give legitimacy to new government. However the real power of the time passed to military leaders, forming the war lord period. The first development of communism in china was along process. The first transition happened after "autumn harvest uprising" when Mao withdraw to the province of Jiangxi and created the very first Soviet after the creation of communist party of china (CPC) in 1921, the party was under Soviet's influence. The emergence of communism was introduced to china by Chinese elites. The nation of equality, democracy or revolution was among the issues that these elites propagated. President Sum admired this soviet organization. In 1927 Kai - shek organized the "white terror" in order to eliminate the entire communist organization. This led to the first decline of C.C.P. during this period it can be said that U.S.S.R. dominated and controlled china. By using the force of commoners, President Mao counter attacked the growing power of Rightists, who disagreed with his policies. The Rightists was composed of technocrats, peasants who had a different opinion than that of Mao. They concentrated more on social economic issue rather than that of communism development in china. Their enemies were the Leftists with Mao as the leader. Prime Minister Hu stayed in the middle as the negotiator until his death in 1976. In 1958, Mao announced that he would not stand for a reelection as chairman of the PRC. In 1959 Liu Shaoqi who represented the technocrats and an opponent of the Great leap forward replaced Mao as chairman of the central government council, but Mao retained his chairman ship of the communist party politburo. From 1966 through 1976, culture revolution, a mass mobilization of Chinese youth begun and led by Mao and his wife, Jiang Qing smashed the communist party bureaucracy paralyzed education and research and left the economy almost a shambles. The aim was to prevent development of a bureaucratized soviet style of communism. At the beginning of 1987 the secretary of C.C.P, Hu. Yaobang was ousted because of his compassion towards dissidents and his support of western style democracy was blamed for rash of student demonstrations for reform. The premier Zhao Zeyong took over the party leadership as a result. Zhao and Hu. were both reformers and protg of Deng, but they could not fit together. When Hu died in 1989, it was an opportunity for Chinese people to demonstrate their outrage against social inequality and government corruption. Afterwards Deng chose Jiang - Zemin as the successor of Li Peng who had been ousted from his position and arrested Jiang - Zemin became secretary - general of C.C.P. Later Zemin became the President of PRC until 2003 when he relinquished power to Hu Jintao who is the current president of PRC. 3) Foreign Relations Since its establishment, the People's Republic of China has worked tirelessly to prove that it is the sole legislative government of all China including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. In the 1970s and 1980s China sought to create a secure regional and global environment for itself and to foster good relation with countries that could aid its economic development. As a result, China looked to the West for assistance with its modernization drive and for help to counter Soviet expansion. In the immediate aftermath of Tiananmen crackdown in June 1989, many countries reduced their diplomatic contacts with china. In response, china worked hard to expand its relationships with foreign countries and by late 1990 it had reestablished normal relations with almost all nations. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in late 1991, china also opened diplomatic relations with the republics of the former Soviet Union. In the recent years china has strengthened its relations with other countries in the world. It has also taken advantage of its permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and other multinational organization 4. DEFENSE The Chinese military is in the process of transforming itself from a land-based power to a mobile, high -tech military eventually capable of mounting limited defense operations beyond its coastal borders. China' power projection capability has grown over recent years. China has acquired advanced weapons system, including sovremnney destroyers SU- 27 and SU-30 aircraft and kilo-class diesel submarines from Russia. Chinas military prowess has expanded in pace, scope and direction of modernization. Nature and Role of Modern Nationalism in Contemporary China: Modern Nationalism in China has played a great role in the success of China. Today, the modern China is totally different from the ancient China. Modern China competes with the leading Western countries in terms of economy. Traditionally China was undemocratic country. Today the process of democratization and unlike the charismatic Chinese leadership in the past, China's Foreign policy makers are now more responsible to domestic opinions, especially on those issues related to fundamental foreign policy (Professor Yu Tiejun, school of International studies, Peking University, 2007). Initially, China had charismatic leaders. These leaders did not priotise China's foreign policy. They were much oriented to domestic issues in China. According to Professor Suisheng Zhao, Chinese nationalism is more radical and emotional; the Chinese government is very rational and has tried everything possible to channel nationalist expression into peaceful activities. This has much to do with the principles and knowledge of the Chinese leaders, who know that China's economic success depends heavily upon integration with the outside world and particularly upon cooperative relations with advanced western countries, including Japan. The principles as peaceful, co-existence, peaceful orientation, peaceful rise and peaceful development are emphasized as China rises to the status of a great power. Further the modern Nationalism in China has become the socialist market economy from highly centralized planning economy. China has established the role and co-exists and shares opportunities with the economy in various other ownerships. Fundamental economic system in which the public ownership economy plays the leading The rise of modern nationalism has not greatly affected Chinese foreign policy. As a result of reform and opening up, Chinese leaders have become far more accountable to public opinion. The leaders respect the opinions of the Chinese citizens. Individuals or citizens are free to express their opinions freely without fear. The growth and development of information technology has grown steadily in this modern era of Chinese nationalism. This is attributed to the steady market abroad and improvement of technology in China. The average Chinese is plugged into the information network by phone and internet and has found ways to express his or her views, which include nationalist sentiment. Bilateral cooperation should be strengthened in mutually beneficial fields such as environment protection, energy, trade, finance, information technology and crisis management. More institutions and mechanisms should be established to push forward cooperation and make it resistant to the shock of popular nationalism. Modern nationalism in the People's Republic of China has contributed to Chinese citizens becoming more informed and having the means to exchange ideas with like minded individuals. It may be true that communists' education may have stimulated such emotional nationalism, but ultimately individuals have enough freedom to make their own choices about whether to assemble, exchange ideas, and how to express their views in a changing China. Fortunately, the CCP takes into account; the grassroots nationalism in a rising China feels that stable ties are the best way to continue their economic and social progress in a globalized world . Bibliography. 1. Feuerwerker, Albert. The Chinese Economy, Ca. 1870-1911. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Center for Chinese Studies University of Michigan, 1969. 2. Rawski, Thomas G. and Lillian M. Li, ed. 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