Culture as a tool for economic growth and Inter-ethnic relations
With understanding borderlands as important contact zones for cultural as well as political
interaction, the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor plays important role for the Chinese
goverment to buil the New Silk Road as well as make closer contact with western world and other
political intent included faster economic growth by developing new silk road and stability in whole
country.
The Chinese government for long time has supported Tibet-Mongol ethnic and cultural
relations with argument to sthrengthen mínzú tuánjié 民族团结 ( translated as “na-tional unity” or
“amity between nationalities”), for the construction of a harmonious society in the respective areas.
And with the idea to support „the spirit of silk road“ for better peace and cooperation, openness and
inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit.
Educational and cultural dimensions of transnational relations are often targeted as factors
shaping economic cooperation. So that, infrastructure projects for developing these areas throught
education and cultural relathionship take a major place for chinese goverment to building better
surrounding for trade and economic growth. In this point of view we can ask if this tactic could be
seen as an example of cultural use of soft power in these areas and anable chinese goverment to gain
what you want throught nonviolence way.
The approach in article „The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the “New Silk Road:”
The Re-invention of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands“ by Ute Wallenböck is focused
mainly on the Mongols of Inner Mongolia and the Tibet-Mongol interface, however is also dealing
with a question how China interacts with various other minority culture(s) in a national and
international context and enables us to better understand the dynamics of exactly how cultural
innovation becomes possible. Moreover also illuminates why and when people are interested in
modifying and reconstructing their particular identities.
If we look back in chinese history, for chinese goverment was important to secure inland
political stability and wanted to move towards the better integration of China’s ‘minority
nationalities’. Those who had been called ‘barbarians’ in dynastic China were recast as ‘minority
nationalities’ and Chinese goverment make an effort to integrate them into Chinese society often by
focusing on economic development. However as I told before culture and education take an important
task in building this integration and moreover led to a greater degree of dependence on Han-dominated
state power. We can take a look at one of integration programs: “Western Development Programme”
with aim to involve China’s ‘minority nationalities’ in the western regions in the economic and
cultural development. This program was, by receiving financial and technical assistance from the
central govern-ment, supposed to develope their economic growth, but also to more integrate the
minorities regions under central power. Others culture programs could also have their political aim,
and from more pesimistic way of view, various cultural event can be regard as a tool of soft power and
Chinese goverment can do it with intent to take these activities under goverment wings and little bit
control and adust them. Attempts to adjust culture could be succesful only with pointing to effort of
their friendly support.
China by using the term “initiative” (chàngyì 倡议) instead of “strategy” (zhànlüè 战略) could
reach even more goal then any other way. And it is well known that dialogues between two
civilizations with diffrent culture an historic backgroud on the principles of seeking common ground
and not to point on their differences, is much more useful and easier way to gain others trust and
cooperation. Only with this partial trust, that chinese goverment doesnt want to destroy their culture
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Kommentiert [WU1]: This is a direct quote taken from my
article without referring to it. PLAGIARISM!!!
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Kommentiert [WU2]: Plagarism
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Kommentiert [WU3]: This you just copied from the text
without explanation oft eh background.
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and also with temptation of economic growth and view of better mediacal care and education can
chinese intent for integration of minorities be succesful.
I did not correct the grammar nor the spelling.
Too many parts of the paper were just taken from the article without
referring to it. This essay fulfills all aspects of plagiarism!
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Inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road”
The “New Silk Road” or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy
that the Chinese government came with and which is involving development of infrastructure
and investments in more than 150 countries (Kuo, Kommenda, Guardian 2018) and
international organizations in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. “Belt”
refers to the overland routes and rail transportation, while “road” refers to the sea routes or the
21st Maritime Silk Road.
This essay aims to illustrate inter-ethnic relations along the BRI on the case of Tibetans,
Chinese Mongols, and Uighurs. As there is a long-term mutual contact between Tibetans and
Mongols (Wallenböck, 2019), this connectivity is well-used by PRC to show the peaceful and
beneficial inter-ethnic relations within the BRI. This paper also includes Uighurs as the
cohabitation of Han Chinese and Uighurs is not so representative.
Significant cultural characteristics of Mongols and Tibetans separate them from ethnic
Chinese and Chinese government support studies of Tibet-Mongol ethnic and cultural
relations under the framework of BRI. Chinese government hold conferences and
symposiums on cultural exchanges, few of them have been presented as Mongolia-Tibetan
cultural exchanges, but promoted Mongolian culture only and, more specifically, Oirat
culture. The program of these conferences is based on elements of cultures which can no
longer be found among ethnics living within PRC. Examples of this pan-ethnic manifestation
are presented by Wallenböck in her article “The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the
‘New Silk Road’: The Re-invention of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands,” where
she says that on Henan conference were shown examples of Mongolian culture which already
cannot be found in Henan County, such as “throat singing” or music with the horse-head
violin. So even if the Chinese government declared support for both Mongolian and Tibetan
culture, Mongols are preferred and main cultural elements that suit most to the BRI.
On one hand China within the BRI support minority-ethnic cultures through conferences
and various projects, but on the other, there has been a case of canceling the Naadam Festival
- a traditional Mongol sports festival tightly bound with Mongolian history and culture for the
sake of international conference (Wallenböck, 2019). This important social, religious and
political ceremony with competitions in archery and horseracing, moreover, the highlight of
Mongolia’s ancient traditions and symbols were incorporated into the BRI and as the first
“Silk Road Nadaam” moved into Gansu province (Wallenböck, 2019) in order to be more
associated with the “New Silk Road” project.
As Nye said, the state shows only parts of its history that serves its intension (Nye,
2009). It fits even more for current affairs. Xinjiang in China’s foreign relations functions as
part of a new Silk Road, but Uighurs are far from getting PRC support for their own Muslim
culture and many significant characteristics that separate them from Han Chinese as it
happens in cases of other minority ethnics. Ethnic and religious tensions are still serious in
Xinjiang and appear to be intensifying (Mackerras, 2015). Many sources mention practices
regarded as human rights abuses, but Chinese leaders aim such practices at the suppression of
Islamist-based separatism and terrorism (Mackerras, 2015), but this is not properly
documented.
So Chinese provinces can involve in the New Silk Road project to get support for their
local needs in the name of the “Silk Road spirit”. China nowadays emphasizes the protection
of cultural heritage at local level and support exchanges between China’s culture and others
(Liu, 2017) in order to cultivate soft power and gain sympathy for its inter-ethnic culture
Kommentiert [WU4]: “implemented”
Kommentiert [WU5]: All over China? Specify region/area
Kommentiert [WU6]: Define hat you mean by “ethnic
Chinese”
Kommentiert [WU7]: I did not know that there were any
other conferences …
Kommentiert [WU8]: Please give reference … I think you
misunderstood this part – those Mongol cultural traits
cannot be found in Henan County, but for sure in Inner
Mongolia
along the “New Silk Road” project. But in spite of acts of protecting local cultures, there are
cases when local traditions and ethnic symbols were sacrificed or transformed for the benefit
of the BRI. It can be further said that China uses properly selected minority ethnic such as
Mongols, with their significant history which China declared as its own, as a soft power tool
that serves promoting its own culture and raising awareness of China as a harmonious society
with peaceful inter-ethnic relations along the New Silk Road.
SOURCES
Kuo, Lily; Kommenda, Niko. "What is China's Belt and Road Initiative?". the Guardian.
Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
Liu, Kuo-Yi (Liú Guóyí) 劉國儀. 2017. “Ruǎn shílì, wénhuà yǔ Zhōngguó juéqǐ 軟實力、文
化與中國崛起 [Soft Power, Culture and the Rise of China].” Modern China Studies,
(Dāngdài Zhōngguó Yánjiū 當代中國研究 ), 24 (1), pp. 111–121.
Wallenböck, Ute. 2019. “The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the ‘New Silk Road’:
The Re-invention of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands.” Vienna Journal of
East Asian Studies, 11, pp. 31–59. https://doi.org/10.2478/vjeas-2019-0002
NYE, Joseph S. Bound to lead: China’s Emerging Strategy in International Politics.
Maryland: Lexington Books, 2009. ISBN 04-650-0744-9.
MACKERRAS, Colin. Xinjiang in China’s Foreign Relations: Part of a New Silk Road or
Central Asian Zone of Conflict. Springer Science Business Media Dordrecht, 2015.
Kommentiert [WU9]: The gap between the previous
paragraphs and the last one are too big.
Explanation of Soft power in relation to inter-ethnic relations
are missing
Inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road”
As the author of the article, Ute Wallenböck, says, the Sino-Tibetan borderlands are large and
complex when it comes to geography, history and also population. The aim of this paper is to describe
inter-ehtnic relations among Sino-Mongolian and Tibetan ethnic groups and how they are interacting
in terms of the “New Silk Road”.
First of all, it is needed to clearly define what is meant by “New Silk Road” in this paper. In
September 2013, the current president of People’s Republic of China (PRC) established the Belt and
Road Initiative (BRI). BRI refers to building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime
Silk Road. According to the official Action Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative, the goal is to promote
the connectivity of Asian, European and African continents, help to set up development strategies
among interested parties, enhance cultural exchanges, mutual learning, respect and trust. As China’s
economy is closely linked to the whole world’s economy, China wants to stay comitted to this policy
of opening-up and shouldering more responsibilities and obligations, therefore, make greater
contributions to the mankind.1
Nowadays, Chinese provinces and Autonomous Regions behold the
involvement into BRI as a chance to gain support for their local projects.2
From the historical point of view, what was the relations between Mongols and China? Mongols
were controllers of the Silk Road(s) and in the 13th century, Mongols created the Yuan dynasty in East
Asia. This land, Qinghai province and Kokonor area, was occupied by Mongols until 1723 is called
Qinghai province. However, today’s Inner Mongolia and Tiber were under the rule of Qing dynasty
(1644-1912). There was a special department of Qing government in order to integrate the Inner
Mongolia into the Qing Empire.3
In the 20th century under the law of Mao Zedong, the Mongolian population was no longer
considered as a nation, but it was classified as ‘minority nationalitiesʼ. As all ʻminority nationalitiesʼ
were taken for being ʻbarbarianʼ, therefore, they had to be ʻcivilisedʼ by modern PRC state. In 1978,
1
Full text: Action plan on the Belt and Road Initiative .The State Council of the People’s Republic of
China.[online]. March 30, 2015. [cit. November 9, 2019]. Retrieved from:
˂http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/publications/2015/03/30/content_281475080249035.htm˃
2
WALLENBÖCK, Ute.The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the “New Silk Road”: The Re-Invention of
Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands. 2019. Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies, 11, pp. 38.
3
Id. pp. 34-35.
Kommentiert [WU10]: Which article?
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Kommentiert [WU11]: This is a direct quote, hence give
reference! Page number
Kommentiert [WU12]: The gap between teh first sentence
and this sentence i stoo big, hard for teh reader to follow
you
Kommentiert [WU13]: In course of a visit in Kasachstan
hat gelöscht: Belt and Road Initiative
Kommentiert [WU14]: These two terms need
expalanation … what is it and what i steh difference between
these terms and BRO
hat gelöscht: action
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Kommentiert [WU15]: Isn’t this a direct quote?
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Kommentiert [WU16]: humankind
hat gelöscht: above
Kommentiert [WU17]: Qinghai is the CHinese term for the
Mongolian word „Kokonor“
Kommentiert [WU18]: It was not „occupied“ but ruled by
the Mongols!
Be careful about the usage of the various terms in English
Deng Xiaoping started with a new policy “Reform and Opening-Up”, which partly allowed western
countries invest into Chinese economy.4
At present, highly discussed topic is China’s using of soft power. There are many definitions of what
soft power means. Basically, when saying soft power in foreign policy we understand state’s ability to
influence other state’s interests through cultural or diplomatic methods.5
Regarding China’s soft power,
Xi Jinping established the “Silk Road Academic Belt” in terms of improving China’s outside relations.
This Academic Belt consists in founding educational institutions, e.g. Confucius Institutes, or giving
10,000 government scholarships to the relevant countries.6
In conclusion, what I see as a problem is classifying Mongols and Tibetans as a minority nationalities.
Even though China gave thousands of scholarships to other countries, there is lack of giving money
to Mongolia or Tibet for their higher education. The only improvement came in 1980s.7
On one hand
Chinese government shows to the rest of the world only pieces, e.g. conference in Henan County,
sponosored by BRI and “Silk Road Academic Belt” where the performance of Mongolian “throat singing”
took place. On the other hand, the Naadam festival, traditional sports festival of Mongolian culture
was forbidden in 2017 for the first time since 1984, due to this conference.8
I would not be afraid point
this out and mark it as a tool of Chinese soft power. In coherence with BRI, which is based on cultural
exchange, Chinese government put on display only what is convenient at the moment.
A lot of progress is visible since your first essay in this course! Keep working on your writing skills.
4
Id. pp. 35-36.
5
Id. pp. 38.
6
Id. pp. 39.
7
Id. pp. 40.
8
Id. pp. 45.
Kommentiert [WU19]: Try to avoid „we“ as a collective …
Whether use general terms or focus on yourself and your
own ideas!
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hat gelöscht: in terms of improving China’s outside realtions
hat gelöscht: , he
hat gelöscht: which
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Kommentiert [WU20]: Why? This statement needds a lot of
clarifciation!
Kommentiert [WU21]: It was not forbidden, it was just not
held due to financial reasons
Sources:
Full text: Action plan on the Belt and Road Initiative .The State Council of the People’s Republic of
China.[online]. March 30, 2015. [cit. November 9, 2019]. Retrieved from:
˂http://english.www.gov.cn/archive/publications/2015/03/30/content_281475080249035.htm
WALLENBÖCK, Ute.The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the “New Silk Road”: The Re-Invention
of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands. 2019. Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies, 11, pp.
31-59.
“The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the ‘New Silk Road’: The Re-invention
of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands.”
The work concerns China´s ambicious project of the „New Silk Road“ and its impacat on interethnic
relations along the New Silk Road.This project is also known as the One Belt One Road
Initiative {OBOR}. The text describes the ambicious project of the New Silk Roads from two
significant approaches. Firstly, the author demonstrates the sociocultural and educational
aspect of the „New Silk Road,“ which is often used by CCP as a tool to maintain internal
stability of the whole country especially it’s borderlands and pheriperal areas. Secondly the
article presents The New Silk Road as a crucial project of international policy and its attempt
to increase China’s soft-power. The author’s particular interest is to iluminate the uniquenss
of Mongolnes at the Sion-Tibetans Borderlands. The work explains the specific position of
Mongol’s ethnic who always playd a key role in the imperial history of China, especially
during the 13th
and 14th
century when China was ruled by the Mongolian Dynasty {1279-1368
元朝} The author has reached a large scale of experience and knowledge during her longterm
stay with the local community at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands while she was doing her
academic research. The loca commumity of Mongols which are mentioned in the article are
those who are considered as a descendants of Yuan Dynasty. Author to several souces of
Mongol’s historical background and their settlements in China. Text later explains what were
the primary forces to transforming and adopting Mongolian ethnics under the PRC.
As we could undestand from the text the One Belt One Road Inciative which was firstly
presented in 2013 by Xi Jinping is not only ambicious project of infrastructure and economy
but the strategic plan to improve relations between China and neighbours as well as
communication between the different civilizations. Writer also emphasies the importance of
shared historical ad cultural heritage of the involved ethnic groups. The article provides
specific point of view for China’s obsession with an idea of harmonious society at the same it
shows the impact of this promoted idea on the inclusion of the ethnic groups in China. The
promoted aim of the article was to shed light on how China expands its soft power through
the connection of civilizations. along the Sino-Mongolian-Russian Economic Corridor by
referring to the Silk Road Academic Belt. As the author mentioned the BRI haas not only
economic or infrastratcture but also Educational and cultural dimension. I tis known that level
of education among the ninorities who lives in the China’s peripherial area a is lower compare
to majority of Han. „ The local population of the Sino-Tibetan borderlands has significant
cultural and linguistic characteristics that separate them from the Han Chinese majority group
within the People’s Republic of China (PRC); at the same time, they share historical and
cultural links.“(wallenbock,2019) The CCP proclained that project of One Belt One Road will
be benefitial for depth studies of Tibet-Mongol ethnic and cultural relations. As author
mrntioned the Western and North-western parts of China have recieved both International
and dommestic attention , which icludes acameic but also economic interests.
Author shares her personal experience from attending an international conference
organised by Mongolian Studies at Northwest Mínzú Univer-sity (Xīběi Mínzú Dàxué Ménggǔ Yǔyán
Wénhuà Xuéyuàn 西北民族大学蒙古语言文化学院) and the local government of Hénán Mongol
Autonomous County in Qīnghǎi Province decided to improve cultural cooperation with and among the
Mon-gol population along the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor and also to prevent against the
backdrop of new opportunities offered by the BRI and the “Silk Road Academic Belt. Fron author point of
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Kommentiert [WU23]: It’s = it is
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Kommentiert [WU24]: What is „unique“ in terms of this
issues ? Can you really apply the term „unique“?
hat gelöscht: m
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Kommentiert [WU25]: conducting
hat gelöscht: an
Kommentiert [WU26]: I do not support the idea that they
were the descendants of the uan ... in fact, the first Mongols
in that area arrived during that time, but the main
settlement occured during the 17th century
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Kommentiert [WU27]: Why italic?
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hat gelöscht: have
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Kommentiert [WU28]: Page number needed since direct
quotation
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Kommentiert [WU29]: Do not copy& paste!
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Kommentiert [WU30]: This, in fact, is a direct quote... you... [1]
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view „ the coference included elements of Mongolian culture, even if they could no longer be found in
Hénán County.“ I tis also very clear that conference had a strong political purpose . The CCP is trying hard
to proclame internationaly that Mongol Tibetans and all the other minorities who live in China are one
hand united and conected under the historical glorious chinese culture. But at the same time CCP wants to
put emphasis the cultural uniqunes which are welcome to be included into Chinese culture. As an example
can be used The representation of Chinggis Khan rekindling a popular memory of the nostalgic version of
the historic figure in the museums can therefore be seen as aiming to gen-erate pan-Mongolian as well as
Chinese sentiments.
„The Sino-Tibetan borderlands are known for both their immensely diverse cultural landscape and complex
set-up in terms of socio-cultural, political, and economic spheres. Hence, the Chinese government has to
deal with the issue of both internal and external cultural identification through the evolution of cultural
policy. During the conference, Mongol culture was ‘used’ to construct a distinct (cultural) identity, to
maintain ethnic boundaries in which they are distinct from Tibetans, and to object to the “Tibetanization
On one hand In the course of this event, it was shown that the Mongols juxtapose their Mongolness not
only against Tibetan and Han culture; they activate it to consolidate an identity that does not have a fixed
and presumed meaning, but is open to negotiation and rearticulation both within and outside the context
of China. ” (Roche 2015, Wallenböck, Ute. 2019)
At the same time unity of Chinese minorities under rulling of CCP is now comonly seen as very sesitive topic
not obly from politcal point of view but it is also widely spread in China´s academic discourse where the
other cultures are still understand by the way that they has to be gradually sinicized otherwise they will
face of extinction.
Check Spelling and grammar before submitting any text! I did not correct the spelling and
grammar mistakes.
Some parts of this essay are just “copy and paste” – hence, this essay is
plagiarism!!!!!!
hat formatiert: Englisch (USA)
Kommentiert [WU31]: To aim at!
hat formatiert: Englisch (USA)
Kommentiert [WU32]: plagiarism
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Kommentiert [WU33]: This is a direct quote, which can be
found in both texts???
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Inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road”
This essay is going to analyze inter-ethnic relations along the Sino-Tibetan borderlands which
is a large region located in High Asia´s plateau. Inhabitants are mainly (semi-)pastoralists. It has been
a significant trading route connecting China, Central Asia and the Middle East, therefore it could be
called as a melting-pot of different ethnic groups such as Mongols, Tibetans, Han Chinese and Inner
Asian Muslim cultures. Language and culture of inhabitants along the Sino-Tibetan borderlines
significantly differs from ethnic Han Chinese of People´s Republic of China (PRC). Tibetans and
Mongols developed a close sustained relationship, and this aspect was a very important requirement of
the „One Belt One Road“ initiative, which was proposed by president of the PRC, Xi Jinping in
September 2013. In addition to that, in-depth studies were conducted on harmonious relations among
Tibetan and Mongolan cultures required by the Chinese government.
Tibetans and Mongols during their long-term interaction created a new different culture with
their own specific customs and language patterns. It is within this contested socio-political landscape
that Tibet-Mongols currently seek to reconcile their ethnic Mongol identity due to their attachment to
the territory and patterns of sociocultural behaviour that have sustained then within Tibetan society for
multiple generations (Wallenböck 2017b). Except Mongolia, Mongols are inhabiting more areas such
as Russia and China. Even though Mongols see themselves as an ethnic group equal to Tibetan or Han
Chinese ethnic group, they don´t strive to create a pan-Mongolism state.
Mongols took a big part of China´s history, Mongol Empire had a great influence on
improving infrastructure in South China. Mongols owning pax mongolica had control over the Silk
Road, hereby they controlled trading, coming scholars and import of new technologies. Even though
Mongol Empire collapsed during the thirteenth and fourteenth century, they remained in East Asia as
Yuan Dynasty. In the thirteenth century, Mongols settled along Yellow river. They ruled to Qinghai
province and Kokonor region. In dynastic China, Mongols have always been called „barbarians“.
In twentieth century, the Sino-Tibetian borderlands were incorporated into the PRC and
Mongols were categorised as „minority nationalities“. In the following decades, the central
government launched strategies to secure inland political stability and move towards the better
integration of China´s „minority nationalities“ into Chinese society focusing on economic
development (Wallenböck, 2019). Later along with „Western Development Programme“,
implemented by Jiang Zemin, the PRC managed to involve „minority nationalities“ in western
economic, therefore there were more dependent on government of PRC.
The „New Silk Road“ including „Silk Road Economic Belt“ and „Maritime Silk Road“ should
connect the PRC with more than sixty-six further countries. China avoids using term „strategy“ in
order to emphasize using a new partly cultural approach to develop new economic and political goals
instead of strictly pursuing political goals. Therefore, it could be understood that China is trying to get
power across Asia, Europe and Africa. China uses its culture to attract modern society as tool of soft
power, so mutual understanding of culture could support economical growth and reaching political
goals. Another important step was, when Xi Jinping in his speech at Peripheral Diplomacy Work
Conference promoted cultural, educational and academic exchange as a way to develop relations with
China´s neighbours.
China hold conferences as soft power tool, where is emhasized the importance of the shared
historical heritage if the past and try to create a new image of reinvention old Silk Road. Pastoral
Mongol society has already adopted Tibetian culture, but they can still recognize their Mongol
identity. On the conference in Henan, there was their culture was used as an example how different
identity can maintain ethnic boundaries and differ from other ethnics.
hat gelöscht: t
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Kommentiert [WU34]: Be careful with using th eterm
„borderline“ … in this context the term borderland should be
applied
hat gelöscht: i
hat gelöscht: in September 2013
hat gelöscht: there
hat gelöscht: in-depth studies
hat gelöscht: i
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Kommentiert [WU35]: Local or central government?
hat gelöscht: i
hat gelöscht:
Kommentiert [WU36]: This is almost 1:1 copied from the
text. Be careful of plagiarism!
hat gelöscht: i
Kommentiert [WU37]: This reference is missing in
bibliography …. Another proof of just having coped the
sentence from the article
hat gelöscht: their selves
Kommentiert [WU38]: Is this your opinion? Why do you
think so?
hat gelöscht: i
Kommentiert [WU39]: Why?
Kommentiert [WU40]: Why in South CHina? An donly in S-
CHina?
hat gelöscht: was broken
Kommentiert [WU41]: WHere do you get the idea from
that they ruled the Qinghai area in the 13th century? Read
teh text more carefully!
hat gelöscht: had
Kommentiert [WU42]: What do you mean by that? …
Western economy
Kommentiert [WU43]: Why „included“ … oes it mean that
there are various Silk Roads?
hat gelöscht: en
hat gelöscht: t
hat gelöscht: t
hat gelöscht: strictly
hat gelöscht: ´s
hat gelöscht: for
Kommentiert [WU44]: Explaination of soft power is missing
Kommentiert [WU45]: Source?
hat gelöscht: is
References:
Wallenböck, Ute. 2019. “The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the ‘New Silk Road’: The Re-invention of
Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands.” Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies, 11, pp. 31–59.
In some parts of the essay PLAGIARISM!
Check spelling and grammar before submission.
Lack of structure of the text
Why is promotion of inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road” in PRC so
important?
The Chinese president Xi Jinping introduced the concept of OBOR/New Silk Road in
September 2013 in Kazakhstan. That time, he specifically mentioned the ‘Silk Road Economic
Belt’—, a road and rail construction along a route roughly following the ancient trade route
connecting China with Europe via Central Asia. Weeks later in Indonesia, he proposed
construction of ‘Maritime Silk Road’ linking China’s eastern ports to Europe via Southeast
Asia. The Maritime Silk Road would pass along the Indian subcontinent, going back around
the Bay of Bengal then across the Indian Ocean, reaching the east coast of Africa before heading
straight up through the Suez Canal. After an intensive coverage by the Chinese state media and
further promotion by Chinese government, the whole world started to discuss China’s New Silk
Road or OBOR and the real intention of PRC hidden behind this initiative.
However, not only infrastructure development is being stressed, development of
relationships is often highlighted as well. As Md Nazirul Islam Sarker and co-authors in their
article „One Belt One Road Initiative of China: Implication for Future of Global
Development“ suggest that the vision of OBOR is to connect the people over the world in terms
of political dimensions, economic dimensions and cultural dimensions. The major goals of the
OBOR initiative are achieving policy coordination among partners, building infrastructure for
the improvement of connectivity, trade promotion, motivating financial integration and
improvement of the relationships among the people of partner countries.”9
Even PRC´s Action
Plan on the Belt and Road Initiative from 2015 places importance on dialogues among different
civilizations on the principles of seeking common ground. Therefore, the aim of this essay is to
examine why the promotion of improving relationship, specifically inter-ethnic relations along
the “New Silk Road” in the PRC, is so important. The second goal is to describe how promotion
of inter-ethnic relations fits into the bigger picture of China´s foreign policy. The emphasis will
be on the article by Ute Wallenböck, The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the “New Silk
Road:” The Re-invention of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands, which explains how
China uses international conference to establish the image of a new emerging China along the
9
SARKER, M.N.I., HOSSIN, M.A., YIN, X.H. and SARKAR, M.K. One Belt One Road Initiative of China: Implication for
Future of Global Development. Modern Economy, 9, p. 623-638. 2018. At: https://doi.org/10.4236/me.2018.94040
hat gelöscht: first time when
Kommentiert [WU46]: First time mentioning OBOR, you
should write as following: “One Belt One Road (OBOR)”
hat gelöscht: was
hat gelöscht: specifically
hat gelöscht: to
hat gelöscht: of
hat gelöscht: “
hat gelöscht: ”
Kommentiert [WU47]: What kind of relationship, especially
in which context?
Kommentiert [WU48]: “et al”
Kommentiert [WU49]: I suggest referring to the primary
source, not to rely on secondary literature. The primary
source is in this context, the Action Plan
hat gelöscht: improving
hat gelöscht: promoting trades
hat gelöscht: improving
Kommentiert [WU50]: “Even” is the wrong term since the
Action Plan is the first document talking about this
plan/initiative … the paper you quote before was even
published later than the Action Plan– in 2018.
Kommentiert [WU51]: Same comment as to OBOR in first
sentence
hat gelöscht: is
hat gelöscht: used
Silk Road while at the same time, China generates positive social impact for the local
communities.
Firstly, it is necessary to introduce the evolution of inter-ethnic relations in the PRC and
Chinese policy towards ethnic minorities in the past. China was always a little bit obsessed by
the unity of nation. For example, the concept of Zhonghua minzu (中华民族) introduced by
Liang Qichao in 1902 is a proof. He used the term to refer to all the nationalities within China
and later, when the Republic of China was established in 1912, the government recognized five
ethnic groups within the country: the Han, Hui (i.e. Muslims), Mongols, Manchus, and Tibetans.
During those times, Dr Sun Yat-sen himself argued that China must merge all the nationalities
in China into one Chinese nation. This concept was then used to reinvent Chinese history for
nation-building purposes, because according to Zhonghua minzu (中华民族); Xinjiang, Tibet,
Mongolia and Taiwan are considered integral parts of China. Moreover, thanks to the adoption
of this ideology, Manchus, as a member of the Zhonghua minzu, were not longer characterized
as a "conquest regime" or a "non-Han".10
In my opinion, it is quite understandable why China
deliberately focused on unity. I assume that unified nation with ethnic minorities living in
symbiosis can be considered as modern and has potential to prosper, possibly look stronger in
the eyes of neighbouring countries.
Currently, there are 56 distinct ethnic groups recognized in mainland China, where the
Han majority represents 92% of the total population. Ethnic minorities and their cooperation
have always been important elements in the history shaping, contributing manpower, material
resources and even human lives. In the central part of the south, ethnic minorities in Hunan
Province like the Tujia, Hui and Bai, actively took part in the famous “Long March.” It is
confirmed that 6900 minority people in Longshan County, 300 in Tujia and Miao in Baojing
County and 3,700 in Cili County joined the Red Army and moved north to resist Japanese troops.
In 1938, 8,000 Miao soldiers marched up to the front line in Hubei and launched a fierce fight
which resulted in a complete victory. During the Mao era, it was believed the essence of ethnic
reality is class struggle, in accord with general principles of Marxism/Leninism. Hence, no
credit was given to ethnic distinctions or contributions. Additionally, Han chauvinism,
10
KALLIO, Jyrki. HOW THE MINORITIES ARE BEING MERGED INTO ONE NATION. FIIA Briefing paper.p.3-4
2009. ISBN 978-951-769-604-3.
hat gelöscht: to
hat gelöscht: with
Kommentiert [WU52]: Proof for what?
Kommentiert [WU53]: Which term?
Kommentiert [WU54]: Chinese characters only needed the
first time you mention the term
Kommentiert [WU55]: Humanpower
Kommentiert [WU56]: Source?
Kommentiert [WU57]: Confirmed by who? Source?
disrespecting ethnic customs and traditions and, in some cases, abolishing those customs and
traditions, harmed indigenous peoples during those times. 11
Secondly, it is necessary to emphasize that PRC keeps promoting importance of
harmonious relationship with ethnic minorities and often highlights key development of their
culture. Wallenböck mentions Jiang Zemin´s “Western Development Programme” which
aimed to involve China’s ‘minority nationalities’ in the western regions in the economic as well
as cultural development of their regions by receiving financial and technical assistance from
the central government. The goal of the New Silk Road is, in fact, the same, supporting local
projects under the framework of the BRI. I fully agree with Wallenböck´s statement that China
nowadays promotes exchanges between China’s culture(s) and other cultures basically in order
to build a favourable cultural image of itself.12
Actually, it makes sense that the PRC builds its
positive image on promoting inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road”. It´s crucial for
the Chinese government to demonstrate that the PRC has positive social impact on the local
communities to make foreign countries believe they can have positive impact for international
communities as well.
In 2017, during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Xi Jinping
declared that during the last four years, the people-to-people connectivity has been significantly
strengthened. He also said that friendship, which derives from close contact between the people,
holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. It is obvious that PRC is very attentive when it
comes to stressing connectivity, mutual relations and cooperation. Moreover, it makes sense
that they advocate and support studying/ promoting inter-ethnic relations in order to make its
culture and politics attractive to everyone, the outside world as well as domestic population.
However, it´s nothing else than a demonstration of using soft power. But how does the specific
example of promoting inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road” looks like? Here it
finally comes to the event described by Wallenböck: A conference titled “‘Historical and
Cultural Links between Mongolia and Tibet’ within the Framework of the State Programme
‘One Belt One Road’” was held in Hénán County in July 2017.
11
HE, S. H. (2017). An Overview of China’s Ethnic Groups and Their Interactions. Sociology Mind , 7, 1-10. 2016.
Available at : http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/sm.2017.71001.
12
WALLENBÖCK, Ute. “The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the ‘New Silk Road’: The Re-invention of
Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands.” Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies, 11, pp. 31–59. 2019
Available at : https://doi.org/10.2478/vjeas-2019-0002.
hat gelöscht: Ute
hat gelöscht: in her work The Cultural and Educational
Dimension of the “New Silk Road:” The Re-invention of
Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands
Kommentiert [WU59]: In this regard, refer to the western
development program itself, not to a secondary source
hat gelöscht: Utte
hat gelöscht: for
hat gelöscht: people-to-people connectivity
Kommentiert [WU60]: ???
Kommentiert [WU61]: In academia nothing is obvious, you
always have to explain why …
Kommentiert [WU62]: Who is “they”??
hat gelöscht: hat
gelöscht: conference that
As explained in her paper, the event was organised in accordance with the concept of
the “Silk Road Academic Belt” initiative with the main purpose of the establishment of an
cooperative education platform among the various academic institutions along the ChinaMongolia-Russia
Economic Corridor, and additionally, to contribute to the common
development of ‘civilisation’ and for future collaboration in higher education. The conference’s
rich cultural programme consisted of various elements of Mongolian culture, even though they
couldn´t be found in Hénán County, for example, ”overtone singing” or “throat singing,” or
music with the horse-head violin that is no longer played in Hénán County. This intentional
construct of “interesting and rich Mongolian culture” clearly reflects PRC´s strategy to create
attractive “Chinese” culture. Furthermore, another example of Chinese soft power was
mentioned, such as the two new museums in Hénán County that were built to serve the
ideological and pedagogical purpose of highlighting the distinctive Mongolness of Hénán.
Museums that are reflecting the narratives of unbroken continuity in the development of
Chinese civilisation are very sophisticated way how to shape someone´s perception of history,
memory and identity of the local population. But why Chinese government decided to draw
attention on culture of the Sino-Tibetan borderlands?
I assume that it is because this area can be described as melting-pot of multiple ethnic
groups, lying on the crossroads between Mongol and Tibetan cultures, as well as Han Chinese
and Inner Asian Muslim cultures. Local culture of this place is very different and specific; hence
it is a perfect project for showing how China promotes, supports and creates ‘harmonious
society’ along the Silk Road. I firmly believe PRC wants to spread the message that if they can
accept something so distinctive as Mongolian culture of the Sino-Tibetan borderlands, they are
ready to accept and cooperate with any civilisation/culture in the world.
In conclusion, I think that PRC is promoting inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk
Road” simply because it wants to create positive image and attract different countries. By
drawing attention to unique Mongolian culture, Chinese government wants to show that
Chinese society is harmonious and ready to establish cooperation with any civilization.
Organizing international conferences and building museums are just other tools of Chinese soft
power which are supposed to reinforce and spread the spirit of New Silk Road initiative.
hat gelöscht: held
hat gelöscht: and
hat gelöscht: was to
hat gelöscht: establish
hat gelöscht: C
Kommentiert [WU63]: Is this a quote because of the “”? If
so, give reference .. otherwise make it clear that this is your
viewpoint
Kommentiert [WU64]: Try to avoid “new terms” in the
conclusion … you should have referred to the “harmonious
society” before
Kommentiert [WU65]: If this is. A conclusion, you should
explain the meaning of “harmony” in the Chinese context
too.
SOURCES:
1. SARKER, M.N.I., HOSSIN, M.A., YIN, X.H. and SARKAR, M.K. One Belt One Road
Initiative of China: Implication for Future of Global Development. Modern Economy,
9, p. 623-638. 2018. At: https://doi.org/10.4236/me.2018.94040
2. KALLIO, Jyrki. HOW THE MINORITIES ARE BEING MERGED INTO ONE
NATION. FIIA Briefing paper.p.3-4 2009. ISBN 978-951-769-604-3.
3. HE, S. H. (2017). An Overview of China’s Ethnic Groups and Their Interactions.
Sociology Mind, 7, 1-10. 2016. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/sm.2017.71001.
4. WALLENBÖCK, Ute. “The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the ‘New Silk
Road’: The Re-invention of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands.” Vienna
Journal of East Asian Studies, 11, pp. 31–59. 2019. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.2478/vjeas-2019-0002.
5. MURPHY, David. ONE BELT ONE ROAD: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE WITH CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS. ANU Press, 2016. Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1rqc934.23.
The inter-ethnic relations along the “New Silk Road”
Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) program and the idea of a
harmonious society, China seeks to extend its influence through its soft power to the border of China
along the New Silk Road section. With reference to the Silk Road Academic Belt, China seeks to
influence local ethnic groups with other cultural roots than the main ethnic Han. What areas does
the New Silk Road define in this work, what ethnic group inhabit this area and which ethnic groups
are targeted by the Chinese initiative? How do they manifest themselves and what features have
inter-ethnic relations concerning to the “New Silk Road”?
The work by Ute Wallenböck, from which I draw, geopolitically presents the area of today's
Chinese province of Qinghai, where many cultures clash in the past and it was a place of TibetanMongolian
relations, not only business but also cultural. In addition to the influences of Mongolian
and Tibetan culture, there are also influences of Muslim cultures from neighbouring areas and the
culture of ethnic Han. By meeting different cultures, customs and languages, a new specific culture is
created over time.
The author also mentions that the socio-political area of cultures is not limited to the
geopolitical boundaries and, for example, the Mongolian ethnic group with its customs is not only in
Mongolia, but also reach into Russia and China. Therefore, Mongolian groups have developed
differently in certain areas.
As a part of the One Belt One Road initiative presented by Xi Jinping in 2013, China aims at
strengthening national unity, which is the idea of Zhou Enlai in 1957 (Wallenböck 2019, pp 33), with
intention to engage the Sino-Tibetan borderland in China's social and economic development.
Referring to the successful history of international trade and cultural exchange during the Han
Dynasty, Beijing uses the name Silk Road as it was defined by Ferdinad von Richthofen in the 19th
century (Wallenböck 2019, pp 37), referring to a group of routes over which silk and other valuable
commodities was transported. In this spirit, China seeks to extend its reach to countries outside its
geopolitical borders and to areas that are part of China. The term New Silk Road according to the
National Development and Reform Commission include regions of Shanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia
and Inner Mongolia, where it focuses on economic and cultural development (Wallenböck 2019, pp
38). By using this initiative, the ruling party seeks to extend its influence by the national soft power,
which can be strengthened by managing cultural diplomacy, educational programs, art, religious
diplomacy, etc.
For this reason, a program focusing on cultural, educational and academic exchanges has
been set up, called Silk Road Academic Belt, as a part of the thirteenth five-year plan of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China to build long-lasting friendships (Wallenböck 2019, pp.
39). In the program, which has been implemented in a lesser extent in the past, currently involves
around 135 universities participating in various cultural and research events. As part of deepening
relations between ethnic minorities in China and building a harmonious society, academic programs
for researching Tibetan-Mongolian relations are being developed, which are sponsored by the
Chinese government. These are often accompanied by various conferences and cultural events
where the customs and traditions of ethnic groups are presented.
Due to the successful opening of the Sino-Mongolian-Russian Economic Corridor, the Chinese
government is also trying to develop higher education in Qinghai location. One of the goals is the
“establishment of a rich, civilized, harmonious and beautiful” Qinghai, set out by the Party Secretary
hat gelöscht: and w
hat gelöscht:
hat gelöscht: of author
Kommentiert [WU66]: Why „clash“? The term clash has a
negative connotation
Kommentiert [WU67]: Not to neglect the Muslim and
Chinese in this area
hat gelöscht: to
hat gelöscht: made
Kommentiert [WU68]: Here you could have referred to one
of teh papers we read in the beginning of the course
Kommentiert [WU69]: Rather refer to teh original/primary
source
hat gelöscht: U
of Henan (Wallenböck 2019, pp 44). Referring to the history of Henan Province, the Chinese
government points to a successful fusion of Tibetans and Mongols, their cultures and communities
that have created a harmonious society within China. With the contribution of the Chinese side, a
variety of cultural events are organized to present ethnic customs, such as throat singing, horse-head
violin or horse-riding mastery. Apart from these cultural events, the Mongols identify with the history
when the Mongol Empire was at its peak and to the legacy of Chinggis Khan (Wallenböck 2019, pp
48). By linking Mongols to their cultural habits and history, pan-Mongolian thinking and society is
formed, according to which Mongols consider themselves to be another ethnic group, different from
Han and Tibetan people, and try to return to their Mongolian identity. At the same time, it should be
noted that the Mongol domination during the Yuan Dynasty is considered as an integral part of
Chinese history, and the Han consider the Emperor of that time as their own. This is best reflected in
the sentence: “the Chinese Communist government even turned Chinggis Khan into a figure of
identification of the Chinese people” (Wallenböck 2019, pp 48).
From the above, it can be seen that the main initiative is led by the Communist Party of China
under its Belt and Road Initiative program. By presenting a harmonious multi-cultural Chinese
society, it strives to strengthen its position in its territory and in international relations. Based on
historical data, China identifies itself historically with Mongolian culture and considers Mongolian
culture, as well as Tibetan-Mongolian relations, as one of its historical part. Ethnically, it is the
relationship between the Han, Mongols and Tibetans in the Sino-Tibetan border region, where the
leaders are Han, who on the one hand give the impression of a decent work in the field of unification
and building a harmonious society, but on the other hand point to their important role in education
at backward areas and ethnic groups. I see it as expanding China's soft power by using education,
which must above all be in line with the ideas of the ruling party, it also reminds me the historical
concept of understanding the world by Chinese Han, with the Chinese Empire at the centre of the
world and the surrounding barbarian states and peoples need to be educated in accordance with the
Chinese thought in order to be developed.
Brief explanation of soft power is missing, especially in terms of inter-ethnic relation.
I did not check grammar and spelling mistakes
Sources:
Wallenböck, Ute. The Cultural and Educational Dimension of the “New Silk Road:” The Re-invention
of Mongolness at the Sino-Tibetan Borderlands. Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies [online]. 07
October 2019, vol. 11 [cit. 2019-11-06], pp 31-59. Available from WWW (DOI): <
https://doi.org/10.2478/vjeas-2019-0002>. ISSN 2521-7038.
Kommentiert [WU70]: What were teh circumstances of this
statement? You should at least mention that this was stated
during the opening speech of a konference which was held
under the Framework of OBOR
Seite 8: [1] Kommentiert [WU30] Wallenbock Ute 13.11.19 09:20:00
This, in fact, is a direct quote... you have to highlight this as a quote, otherwise it is plagiarism