WHEN “CHINESE PEOPLE’S FEELINGS” ARE THE ONLY FEELINGS THAT MATTER
Whether seen through the “5,000 years of history” narrative (which ignores scientific archaeological perspective that dates Chinese civilization to 3,500 years ago) or the professor who was suspended for dismissing China’s “four great inventions,” the demand to acknowledge “cultural superiority” is pervasive and substantial at all levels of Chinese society.
Against this backdrop, Xi Jinping’s announcement of “The Chinese Dream of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation” made the West realize that China had its mind set on walking a exceptional, nationalist path – one “with Chinese characteristics” — all along.
What is troubling is that China’s nationalism is ethnic-based and built upon both a thoroughly racist cultural superiority and a narrative of victimhood. This is why Beijing consistently acts as if the feelings of the Chinese people are the only ones that matter – no one else’s in the world does.











