Chinese Asianism, 1894-1945

Chinese Asianism explores Chinese intellectual discussions of East Asian solidarity, analyzing them in connection with Chinese nationalism and Sino-Japanese relations. It considers a range of writings from the pre-war discourse on Asianism to the rise of nationalism in China, highlighting the influence of Asianism on Chinese ideas of nation and region.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2022
Publisher: Harvard University, Asia Center

Chinese Asianism delves into the intellectual discourse surrounding East Asian solidarity within the context of Chinese nationalism and Sino-Japanese relations. Spanning from texts written after the first Sino-Japanese War of 1894 to the downfall of Wang Jingwei's government during World War II, Craig Smith explores a period of significant transformation and adaptation. During this era, the Chinese empire experienced decline, and intellectuals grappled with the challenges of imperialism, new forms of government, and radically different epistemologies. Smith examines a wide array of writings that shed light on the pre-war discourse on Asianism and its profound influence on the rise of nationalism in China.

Asianism, as Smith discovers, served as a rallying call for Asian unity. However, advocates of a united and connected Asia based on racial or civilizational commonalities also exploited the concept of Asia for their own purposes. This led to the construction of Chinese nationalism, as efforts towards international regionalism spurred the development of a distinct Chinese identity. Asianism played a pivotal role in shaping Chinese ideas about nation and region, often by translating and interpreting Japanese perspectives. It left a lasting legacy in the concepts and terms that continue to resonate in the twenty-first century.

As China assumes a central role in regional East Asian development, the significance of Asianism has once again grown. The study of Chinese Asianism offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between nationalism, regionalism, and cultural exchange in East Asia, shedding light on the enduring legacies of historical events and shaping the future trajectory of the region.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674260245