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Central State, Local Governments, Ethnic Groups and the Minzu Identification in Yunnan (1950s–1980s)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

BIN YANG
BIN YANG*
Affiliation:
The History Department, AS1 0505, National University of Singapore, Singapore117570, Email: hisyang@nus.edu.sg
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Abstract

This essay examines the minzu identification in Yunnan (1950s–1980s). First of all, it will introduce the terms of ethnicity and minzu as used by the Chinese. It will then examine the minzu identification in Yunnan with a general overview, followed by a critique on the complexity of classification, which looks especially at the many previously ignored roles including local governments, ethnic groups, ethnic elites, ethnic masses and contingency in the process. The essay argues that classifications varied case by case, without any consistent or standard criteria. Furthermore, it also discusses the application of Soviet influence on the project, particularly the definition of four-common raised by Stalin. While arguing that there was little Soviet influence on the result of classification, the essay intends to historicize the project to illustrate the historical continuity and development in terms of ethnic and frontier managements between imperial and modern China.

Type
Research Article
Information
Modern Asian Studies , Volume 43 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 741 - 775
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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References

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75 Ya was responsible for the entry of Minzu in Encyclopedia of China (Zhongguo da Baikequanshu) in which he inputs his opinion, but as far as I know, neither did he take active part in the minzu identification project, nor had he much influence on this project. Huang Guangxue's Zhongguo de Minzu Shibie (minzu identification in China) is the only book that introduces and discusses the minzu identification project, in which Ya's opinion is unanimously criticized. This book, which claims to represent only scholarly studies, is in fact sponsored by the state, and because it is the only book that has ever been allowed to be published, I think it definitely represents the official language.

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115 Stevan Harrell 1995, ‘Introduction’.

116 Recently the minzu regional autonomy (minzu quyu zizhi) has been labelled one of the three fundamental political systems (jiben zhengzhi zhidu) in P. R. China. The other two are People's Congress (renmin daibiao dahui zhidu) and Political Consultative and Multi-Party Cooperative System (zhengzhi xieshang yu duodang hezuo zhidu). I believe that this system would contribute to and thus turn into a part of any pro-democratic reform. In this sense, it would reveal the so-called Chinese characteristics.