Repositioning History for the Future ‐ Recent Academic Debates in China

Abstract

Changes in the politics and society in post-Deng China are reflected in the research priorities of mainland Chinese university history departments, while questions of political legitimation in China and contact with colleagues abroad in the United States and Europe continue to generate new research topics. This article intends to show how several factors contribute to the shaping of historical research in China today. Ongoing developments in China will be demonstrated through two examples, namely the field of world history and the discussion surrounding New Qing history in China.

The reception of the “New Qing History” in China: confrontation between global and nationalist historical narratives

“…Among the main critics found in a great number of texts, the Manchu-centered vision is often criticized as being not consistent with China’s political history and culture. It is said, for example that “the aspect of ethnicity and Manchu language should not be used” as analytical categories (Huang Fengxiang), that national identification “is more important than ethnic identity” (Wang Yanan) or that “the Manchu identity was lost with the conquest of China” (Sun Weiguo) (Authors cited by Eben v. Racknitz, 2014). These kinds of objection raise the question of the importance of the Chineseness of Chinese history, especially recent political history.…”