Introduction: Why a Correct National History View Matters
History is more than a record of events; it is a framework for national identity and political cohesion. A correct Chinese national history view answers where the Chinese nation comes from and where it is headed. It highlights how China’s vast, multi-ethnic tapestry has been united into a single, diverse nation over millennia. In recent years, top leadership has underscored that upholding a correct Chinese national history view strengthens identification with the nation, fosters pride, and guides policy toward unity and shared purpose.
A Unified, Multinational Chinese Nation: Core Principle
One Unity, Many Ethnic Groups
The history of China is the history of exchanges, interactions, and mutual influence among many peoples. An authentic Chinese national history view emphasizes that the vast territory and the rich civilization were built and written jointly by all ethnic groups that inhabit the land. This perspective reframes the idea of a nation as a multidimensional unity: a single national core with a broad spectrum of peoples contributing to its development.
In speeches and commemorations, leaders have linked the concept of unity with the practical reality of diverse peoples forming a common Chinese identity. The metaphor of “one unity, many” captures the way unity serves as direction, while diversity acts as the engine of progress.
The Five Commons: A Framework for National History
Five Common Points
Building on the earlier Four Commons, the leadership has articulated the Five Commons as the scientific core of the correct Chinese national history view: (1) all ethnic groups jointly expanded the nation’s vast territory; (2) together they forged a unified, multi-ethnic state; (3) they jointly wrote China’s glorious history; (4) they collectively created a brilliant Chinese culture; and (5) they nurtured a great national spirit. These five shared achievements reflect a history of natural, political, and cultural synthesis that binds diverse peoples into a common future.
The Five Commons show that China’s development is not the product of a single group’s achievements but the result of collective effort, sacrifice, and mutual support across generations. This framework clarifies the path from historical plurality to a robust national unity and cultural confidence.
The Party’s Role and the Sinicization of Marxism
Two Integrations: Marxism and Chinese Tradition
Central to understanding the correct national history view is recognizing the Communist Party’s leadership in harmonizing Marxist theory with China’s centuries-old cultural traditions. The party’s approach—often described as the two integrations—binds Marxist principles with Chinese historical experience and cultural heritage. It asserts that a unified, modern, multi-ethnic nation arises not from copying others but from adapting universal theory to China’s specific conditions and history.
By maintaining a single territorial system, promoting ethnic regional autonomy, and embracing the long tradition of “nation-wide unity,” the nation has built a modern state that respects diversity while preserving political cohesion. This synthesis is presented as essential to advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics and sustaining national identity.
Towards a Theoretical System: Building Chinese-National Discourse
Developing an Autonomous Knowledge System
scholars and institutions are urged to strengthen theoretical research on the Chinese national history and the Chinese national community. The goal is to craft an independent, comprehensive discourse that explains how unity in diversity has shaped China’s past and will guide its future. A robust national narrative supports political leadership, cultural confidence, and a shared sense of destiny among all ethnic groups.
Efforts include integrating historical study with education, creating cross-disciplinary frameworks, and translating this knowledge into curricula and public understanding. The aim is to move from slogans to substantive understanding—ensuring that the story of China’s multi-ethnic commonwealth is taught, learned, and lived.
Education in Practice: Cultivating a Shared Identity
Knowledge-Action Initiatives
Programs such as the “Know and Act in China” initiative highlight how theory translates into practice. By engaging students and researchers in fieldwork, archaeology, and ethnographic study, these efforts foster a deeper grasp of how diverse cultures contributed to a shared Chinese civilization. The aim is not merely to teach facts but to build a living sense of common identity and responsibility among the younger generation.
Guarding Against False Histories
Countering Misleading Narratives
With the rise of external and internal critiques, it is crucial to challenge narratives that diminish China’s long, multi-ethnic history or promote exclusivist nationalisms. A correct national history view exposes myths that claim the nation is merely a modern invention or that ethnic groups exist in isolation. Instead, it emphasizes the long arc of unity, interdependence, and shared destiny that has sustained China through centuries of change.
Conclusion: Strengthening Community Consciousness and Modernization
By reaffirming a correct Chinese national history view, China seeks to strengthen the sense of共同体—the community of all ethnic groups—and to translate historical understanding into contemporary solidarity and national modernization. The Five Commons provide a clear, practical compass: unity through diversity, shared history, and collective advancement. As leadership calls for continued scholarly contribution and public education, the nation aims to advance a unique, confident path toward revitalization and renewal.
