Ethnic Relations in China - Book Review

Ethnic relations in China, Rong ma ,

China Tibetology publishing house ,2008

519 pages.

Review by Tenzin Khentse

 Dr. Ma Rong is a retired  professor of sociology at Peiking University and is regarded as China’s leading specialist on ethnicity. He has written widely on theoretical subjects connected to ethnicity in relation to China. His works include, Population and society of Tibet 1996 , Applied sciences of sociology 2002, Sociology of ethnicity;sociological study of ethnic ethnic relations 2004. His research mainly focuses on ethnic relations, migration, education, and rural development of China. This book entitled, Ethnic relations in China, was published in 2008 by Ma Rong with China Tibetology publishing house. The book provides us with the basic idea of ethnicity and how China’s traditional means of culturalisation of ethnic minorities has led to a united-pluralistic nation or polity. And by focusing on two major ethnic minority areas -Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR)  and Inner Mongolia, he brings forth data and surveys of selective prefectures to explain the ethnic relations within these areas.These ethnic relations are examined on the basis of surveys and datas on various aspects  such as: in-migration of the Han and other groups, the official policies towards ethnic minority, the education system, the impact of in migrants on the native social structure and economic activities and other minute details.

The first section of the book mostly focuses on China’s  “pluralist unity of the nation”. He suggests  managing of ethnic relations in China through two major approaches of culturalisation and depoliticisation  against the ‘ politicisation approach' of the west. Ma Rong explains that culturalisation and depoliticisation approach stands for managing ethnic relations by introducing policies that would strengthen Chinese national identity among the ethnic minorities while guaranteeing  the freedom to practice their traditional cultures. Eg; Introducing Bilingual education system that provides the native with the chance to learn both the native language along with the national language (mandarin ).

[ He regards politicisation of ethnicity  as a threat to the national unity because it advocates regrouping of ‘political identities’ on the basis of ‘national identity’ ,which would eventually result in nationalist movement  on the grounds of ‘national self determination’-establishing nation-states or secession ..]

There is also a subsection that deals with the ‘Diffusion model’-chinese model of cultural diffusion (from core to periphery)and integration .Other detailed discussions are done on several other important aspects ; official policies of PRC towards ethnic minorities since 1949,the question of equality among ethnic groups and ethnic conflicts  as class struggle .

In his second and third part of the book  he focuses on  three Autonomous regions of China -Tibetan autonomous region , Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia and evaluates case study of main town or cities or villages (Lhasa, Kashger, sanyefu )of these autonomous regions on the basis of his own surveys and questionnaire and produces datas that altogether brings forth his views regarding the Ethnic relations among various groups in these autonomous regions.Since western province are the regions where several important ethnic minorities of China live , he has discussed about the‘Developing the west strategy’ and the importance of smooth ethnic relations for the successful implementation of the DWS which in turn will impact the social stability and national unity  of China . Therefor ,he familiarises us  with the factors affecting the ethnic group communication or interaction such as ;  Historical,language and religion aspects, traditional and change in economic activities, Policy implication impacts. (migration, social structure,administrative changes ,educational system, Residential pattern, cool pattern, inter marriage between different ethnic groups ,ethnic structure and work units etc ) He also explains the impact of these temporary migration as part of the Developing the west strategy on the native community’s culture and tradition and the people’s lives (on both the native and the in-migrants ) . Other areas are also analysed like the population structure by survey of the natives with the Han Chinese . With the datas  attained ,he thus examines the new ethnic contact or relationships in Lhasa ,Kasgher,sanyefu that have been realized and the serious problems among the ethnic groups and the reasons behind it . He also questions the unwanted consequences of the social policies and other official policies on ethic relations in Lhasa, Kashger, Sanyefu in specific and all the autonomous regions in general.