2008 Chinese Nationalism And Overseas Chinese Community's Role

2008 was a year when the world's spotlight shined and focused on China.It was a time of both turmoil and celebration,as a series of major events left a great impact on the nation and its people.In a year when China was using all of its energy and manpower to prepare to host the world's nations at the Beijing Olympic Games,the country grappled to deal with the Tibetan riots and foreign criticism of its human rights,in addition to the tragedies of the Sichuan earthquake.Based on these events,this inquiry analyzes Chinese nationalism in 2008 and how Chinese diaspora around the world played a role in these developments.The responses and fallout of the turmoil in Tibet,the earthquake in Sichuan province,and China's hosting of the Summer Games are used in this thesis' case studies to extensively examine popular expressions of nationalism both inside China and among Chinese diaspora living abroad.While nationalism is often viewed in a negative connotation and discussed in relation to strife,conflict and aggressiveness,this study places it in an objective and normal context.In other words,this thesis examines nationalism as a way to better understand issues related to China's national identity and the country's relationship with the world.2008 saw substantial developments in this regard:The Tibetan riots and Olympic torch relay brought challenges to China's image - especially in terms of mounting international pressure - while the earthquake spawned strong demonstrations of patriotism and unity among Chinese people.The fact that nationalistic demonstrations occurred outside of China is also an important development.The events of that year should therefore be seen as an opportunity to carefully observe and reflect upon Chinese nationalism.As such,this inquiry seeks to enhance such understandings by analyzing developments in 2008.This thesis addresses the issue of how Chinese nationalism can best be described and what factors have driven such developments the most.In addition,the role of Chinese diaspora in Chinese nationalism will also be explored.A qualitative analysis of Chinese nationalism will be presented by focusing on the aforementioned major events.It first explores previous discourse on Chinese nationalism as a background discussion and uses the concept of Greater China to explore how diasporic Chinese were a factor.Secondly,the Tibetan riots and its aftermath,the May 12 earthquake,and the Olympic Games are used as the basis for this inquiry's case studies.The background and theoretical material are then used in a final analysis to explain the case studies of Chinese nationalism in 2008.The research utilized in this thesis is based on a variety of primary sources-including news reports of protests,rallies,and other activities demonstrating nationalist expressions-as well as scholarly and theoretical material on Chinese nationalism.The case studies will be used to prove this thesis' central argument;that is,2008 illustrates how Chinese nationalism is a primarily grassroots phenomenon that evolves with the population's reactions to particular events.The turmoil seen in Tibet in March led to some antiforeign expressions of nationalism,while the Sichuan earthquake saw a boost of patriotism,and the Beijing Olympics strengthened feelings of national pride among Chinese populations around the world.In this regard,overseas Chinese played a critical role in these developments,and their unusual response was a reflection of nationalism within China.The issues raised in this thesis are significant for three reasons.First,it aims to further the current body of knowledge regarding Chinese nationalism by studying recent developments from 2008.This is especially important since Chinese nationalism is constantly changing and new issues should be considered.Second,and related to the first implication,is that this thesis argues against ideas in Western scholarship that Chinese nationalism is irrational and aggressive in nature.Instead,the central argument illustrates how this phenomenon and popular nationalist expressions in 2008 should not be feared.Third,this paper emphasizes the importance of critical international relations theory in understanding China,as Chinese diaspora and the Chinese population are utilized in assessments of Chinese nationalism.