A New Perspective in Guiding Ethnic Relations in the 21st Century: ‘De-politicization’ of Ethnicity in China

‘Nation’ and ‘ethnic group’ are distinct concepts in Western literature. But under the strong influence of the Soviet Model of ‘nationality’, China established a similar framework dealing ethnic relations since the 1950 s. This framework is different from the Chinese tradition of over 2000 years. Because the Soviet Union has disintegrated, China should rethink the Soviet model in comparison with Chinese tradition as well as the ‘nation-ethnic group relations’ in the western nations. ‘De-politicization of ethnicity’ in China might lead China to a new direction for harmonious society construction.