The Revival Of Chinese Nationalism And Its Impact On Northeast Asian Relations

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze Chinese nationalism, the management of the government and its impact on Northeast Asian relations. This thesis assumes that the revival of Chinese nationalism since1990s is state-led nationalism has taken to lead, and popular nationalism is rising. To start with, this paper reconstructs the history of Chinese nationalism, the characteristics of Chinese nationalism. With that document research, following cases are analyzed:the bombing of Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Anti-Japanese protests in2012, and cultural ownership and history controversy between China and Korea. Through the case studies, the paper analysis the expressions and sources of Chinese nationalism and Chinese leadership’s management. By doing so, this paper explores Chinese nationalism and its impact on foreign relations. Rising Chinese nationalism is double-edged sword for Chinese leadership. The leadership appeals to nationalism in order to justify social integration and political command. However, rising popular nationalism should be controlled at the certain level because extremely intensive expression of nationalism threats economic development and social stability. The rise of Chinese popular nationalism is a cause for concern but has not yet reached a threat because of Chinese authorities’ control of media and technology, and use of material forces. Thus Chinese government has effectively managed popular nationalism with a pragmatic approach on foreign relations. It is, however, Chinese nationalism possibly go aggressive when China’s core national interests are threatened or it feels a sense of crisis by the strong containment from outside powers.By a fuller and more balanced understanding of Chinese nationalism, this research provides some suggestions for Northeast Asian relations in order to alleviate the tension coming from rising nationalist conflicts in the region.