People's Daily:

The central conference on ethnic affairs emphasized that we must adhere to a correct historical view of the Chinese nation. As a unified multi-ethnic country, China has a history of integration of various ethnic groups. How should we understand the correct historical view of the Chinese nation and how do we establish such a view? Thank you.

Zhao Yong:

Let me give the floor to Mr. Hua Yanlong, director general of the Bureau of Ethnic Affairs of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Hua Yanlong:

Thank you. The central conference on ethnic affairs held in 2021 emphasized that we must adhere to a correct historical view of the Chinese nation and enhance the Chinese people's sense of identity and pride. China is a unified multi-ethnic country with the pluralistic unity of the Chinese nation as a distinctive feature. Chinese history is filled with the integration of various ethnic groups into a diverse and unified Chinese nation, and has been jointly created, developed and consolidated by all its ethnic groups. At the national conference commending model units and individuals for contributing to ethnic unity and progress held in 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the important concept of "four commons,"which profoundly elaborated the connotation of the correct historical view of the Chinese nation, that is: China's vast territory is jointly developed by all its ethnic groups; China's long history is jointly written by all ethnic groups; the splendid Chinese culture is jointly created by all ethnic groups, and the great national spirit is jointly nurtured by all ethnic groups. To establish a correct historical view of the Chinese nation involves educating and guiding all ethnic groups to thoroughly understand the origins and historical context of the Chinese civilization, the diversity and unity of the Chinese nation and civilization, the splendid achievements of Chinese civilization, and its major contributions to human civilization. In terms of establishing a correct historical view of the Chinese nation, several key initiatives are underway:

The first is strengthening the compilation of historical materials. This involves further exploring and utilizing historical facts, archaeological objects and cultural relics related to exchanges between various ethnic groups in order to improve the historical narrative of the Chinese nation.

The second is strengthening academic research. We have strengthened the joint research of archaeology and history, humanities and natural sciences respectively in a multi-disciplinary and multi-perspective way to answer major questions related to such areas as the origins, formation and development of the Chinese civilization and laid the theoretical foundation for establishing a correct historical view of the Chinese nation.

The third is strengthening publicity and education.We have incorporated the latest achievements that reflect a correct historical view of the Chinese nation into teaching materials, classrooms and people's lives, and planted the seeds of patriotism in the depths of every child's heart. Various forms of publicity and educational activities have been carried out based on our natural and cultural landscapes, national festivals, and education bases for patriotism and ethnic unity and progress, so that a correct historical view of the Chinese nation can be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

Thank you.