|
|
|
| The Distinction， Debate and Transformation of Hua and Yi——A Reconsideration of the Formation of the Chinese Nation |
| Li Yujun |
| (School of History and Culture， Liaoning Normal University， Dalian 116081) |
|
|
|
|
Abstract In the historical process of the formation of Chinese national consciousness， the concept of “the distinction between Hua and Yi” played an extremely important role in promoting this development. The connotation of the distinction between Hua and Yi in Confucian classical doctrine is very clear， namely， the “distinction between civilization and barbarism”——advocating， protecting， and developing civilization， while denouncing， resisting， and transforming barbarism. Due to the long-term and complex nature of ethnic integration， rulers and Confucian scholars in different historical periods， had diverse interpretations of the distinction between Hua and Yi from their respective political stances. This has led to divergent， or even diametrically opposed evaluations of the distinction between Hua and Yi in later generations. This paper aims to clarify the origins by analyzing the true meaning of Confucian doctrine (the “distinction” between Hua and Yi)， the interpretations and practices of the distinction between Hua and Yi under different political stances (the “debate” on Hua and Yi)， and the deep ethnic integration under the guidance of the distinction between Hua and Yi (the “transformation” of Hua and Yi). It seeks to clarify various misunderstandings about the distinction between Hua and Yi， such as that there were multiple standards for the distinction between Hua and Yi， that its disadvantages outweighed its advantages， and that the distinction was once diluted or eradicated. Only by fully understanding the core of the distinction between Hua and Yi—the advocacy of civilization and embrace of openness—as well as the Confucian intellectuals' relentless pursuit of the ideal of “great unity”， can we deeply comprehend how the Chinese nation and a unified multi-ethnic China came into being.
|
|
Received: 03 April 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2025, Vol. 64 
