Nationalism has a complex history in post-Qing dynasty China, such that there are few – if any – absolutes in the conceptualisations and manifestations of its various forms. However, it has retained several distinct characteristics throughout the 20th century and early 21st century. Common premises include both pride in ‘5000 years of Chinese civilisation’ and victimhood during China’s ‘century of humiliation’ by the West and by Japan. The underlying narrative now, however, is shifting further to one rooted in pride, in parallel with China’s rise. 

When one contemplates modern Chinese nationalism, what does it look like and how is it shaped and propagated? How does it manifest in the general populace and how is it harnessed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)? To what extent has nationalism, at least in the form espoused by the CCP, been correlated with or acted as a euphemism for Han ethnocentrism? 

The ‘rising tide of Chinese nationalism’ is often invoked in discussions on China. To what extent does this phrase ring true?

The enmeshing of the PRC in the global order means that Chinese nationalism is likely to have some bearing on its foreign relations. But to what extent? And what does Chinese nationalism mean for Australia and its engagement with China? 

Rowan Callick OBE, author, columnist and former China correspondent for The Australian and The Australian Financial Review, joins Elena Collinson, senior researcher at the Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI) to discuss these questions and more.

40. Nationalism and the People's Republic of China - with Rowan Callick

The fourth and final episode of ‘Australia’s Next Steps’ examines the future of the global supply chain.

Host Michael Shoebridge, Director of Defence, Strategy, and national security Program at ASPI, talks to Louise McGrath, General Manager for International Competitiveness with the Australian Industry Group, and Pieter Els, Oracle’s Director of Supply Chain Management Cloud solutions in the Japan and Asia-Pacific region.

The conversation examines the impact of the pandemic and finds that the resilience of our supply chains have proven themselves throughout the crisis, while also presenting an opportunity to learn from the lessons of the past few months and build our supply chains more flexibly. Throughout the episode what is revealed is a story of strength and adaptability, not weakness.  

Australia’s Next Steps is brought to you by Oracle.

Australia’s Next Steps, Episode Four: The future of the global supply chain

The Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) is an independent, non-partisan research institute established in 2014 by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Chinese studies centres exist in other Australian universities. UTS:ACRI, however, is Australia’s first and only research institute devoted to studying the relationship of these countries. UTS:ACRI seeks to inform Australia’s engagement with China through research, analysis and dialogue grounded in scholarly rigour. 

The ACRI Podcast is a discussion of issues in the Australia-China relationship, touching on economics, business, foreign policy, domestic politics, history and culture. It features conversations with academics, experts, businesspeople, policymakers and authors from Australia and overseas. 

For more information on UTS:ACRI, visit our website: australiachinarelations.org. Follow us on Twitter @acri_uts. 

ACRI Podcast theme music by Sam J Mitchell.

40. Nationalism and the People's Republic of China - with Rowan Callick

The ACRI Podcast

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