Ethnic Relations in China - Book Review

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Ma Rong’s over all approach of making us understand the ethnic relations of china is impressive because it is backed up by materials produced by himself through surveys and datas that are facts and numbers. He insists that culturalisation and depoliticisation as the only suitable means to avoid separatist movements ,how is it possible to culturalise a country that has approximately of 60 minority groups whose religion,language and traditions,cultures and customs are so different and distinct from the majority population(Han)? For instance article 4 in the Chinese national constitution gives ethnic groups the freedom to use and develop its own language and writing system and at the same time article 19 specifies promotion of a common language to be used throughout out the country .These two articles contradict each other and made me to question about the system’s stand when it comes to the application of the article 4 and 19 .

Marong, did a really good job in giving us the perspective of the Chinese government’s efforts of development of the west strategy in the western province and the autonomous regions .However,he seems to have failed in delivering a better detailed perspectives of the concerned ethnic minorities in terms of the impact of these developments on their culture , tradition, language and religion .I believe it is this ,non questioning status of the ethnic minorities that seems to have encouraged scholars like him to stand for approaches like Culturlisation and depoliticisation for national integration; that goes hand in hand with the Chinese Official approach .

The big question is are why is Ma rong applying the official Chinese policies as a part of the Developing the west strategy (Culturalisation approach )to the autonomous regions of china- Does the idea of true autonomy, freedom of language and religion for the ethnic minorities really exist?

It seems to me that the non-Han cultures, histories, and religions are seen as barrier to China’s national unity indicates a Han cultural chauvinism. Therefore, it is a big question whether this culturalisation approach is indeed in favor of the ethnic minorities of the china or rather an indirect method to assimilate the ethnic culture into Han culture which would lead to extinction of the native or ethnic cultures and tradition in the long run.

This would further endanger the nations integrity and the rights of ethnic minority. For me this demonstrates the ability of the Chinese nation state to protect the rights of its minority. Who has just the equal if not more rights to protect its own culture and maintain a diverse nation state.Furthermore

This weakens one belongingness towards the sate ,hence endangering nations security. For a nations as big as china whose population surpasses any other country and who is always in contention for world superpower stage should be able to display its strength in showing nations integrity and be able to protect the rights of its citizen be it a minority or majority.