Publications

Amidst the glint and glamour of the 2008 Summer Olympics, China confronts a question of dueling national identities.  On one side is patriotism, with Chinese people expressing pride in their country’s remarkable accomplishments and emerging power.  On the other side is nationalism, as foreign criticism has prompted defensive reactions from the Chinese government and public.  The Beijing Olympics may reveal which perspective dominates.

George Washington University Professor David Shambaugh has outlined two types of Chinese nationalistic attitudes that have emerged in response to increased international attention.  The first is a “xenophobic type rooted in past indignities experienced by the Chinese people”; the second, a “more cosmopolitan version taking shape along with globalization and China’s integration into the international community.”  The former reflects a defensive strain of nationalism, while the latter is more closely associated with patriotism.