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2013-December-7

The Chinese Dream of a Multi-ethnic China

B. Chogjin (Chao Gejin), Director and Research Fellow

Institute of Ethnic Literature, CASS 

Abstract

In the process of the “great revival of the Chinese nation,” Chinese culture does not solely refer to the culture of the Han people, but a culture that has grown under the circumstances of globalization and diversity. The Chinese Dream includes a vision of a multi-ethnic Chinese culture and spirit that influences the other diverse cultures of the world.

When talking about the “great revival of the Chinese nation”, we do not mean a restoration of China’s classical culture, but an aim to innovate its cultural systems and mechanism so as to “develop a strong socialist culture and increase the cultural soft power.”

The harmonious and common development of all ethnic groups in China is the way to fulfill the Chinese Dream. We should fully realize the significance of culture in the modernization drive of ethnic areas, respect the cultural distinctiveness and diversity of ethnic groups and protect their cultural properties and intangible items of cultural heritage. We should adjust the guideline of our cultural policy, converting it from “assistance for preservation” to “support for development” with necessary administrative aid.

 The Chinese Dream is a patchwork constructed by a multi-ethnic China. Every ethnic group has its own appeals and hopes, concerning religious belief, social and economic development, relations of ethnic groups, and inheritance and evolution of ethnic languages and folk cultures, which should all be respected. The Chinese Dream is not a single dream, but a combination of various dreams belonging to every Chinese ethnic group.