ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the Chinese Communist Party is using Chinese history to bolster its nationalist legitimacy. Drawing on two case studies ‒ the Anglo-French destruction of the Old Summer Palace (1860) and the legacy of the Republican era (1912-49) ‒ we identify two different types of nationalism. The first is a confrontational form of nationalism, emphasizing the trauma associated with the Old Summer Palace incident and intended to incite public resentment towards ‘hostile’ foreign powers. The second is more consensual, emphasizing common ties with the KMT and intended to demonstrate a commitment to peaceful reunification with Taiwan. However, in both cases, an energetic public debate has arisen in which critics have accused the CCP of inadequately safeguarding Chinese sovereignty.
