Rewriting world history puts China’s image and ‘cultural security’ at risk: party journal

A leading Communist Party journal has issued a stern warning that radically rewriting world and Chinese history without substantial evidence could jeopardize China's global reputation and national identity. The party's theoretical journal Qiushi highlighted a growing trend to promote a less Western-centric viewpoint of history, alongside Beijing's efforts to emphasize the long and continuous nature of Chinese civilization.

However, the so-called pseudo-historical school, which questions Western culture's origins or claims significant scientific advancements originated in China, has gained traction in certain circles.

The article cautioned that extreme pseudo-historical claims disseminated online have already damaged China's academic discourse power and cultural image abroad. Some theories challenge crucial aspects of ancient Greek history, potentially straining relations with Greece and other nations. For instance, assertions that Aristotle was a medieval fabrication or that Greece's rugged terrain couldn't sustain a large population and advanced society have been made.

Moreover, the article pointed out other far-fetched narratives, such as the notion that Mount Emei, a revered peak in Sichuan province, is akin to the Alps, and that the Yongle Encyclopaedia, commissioned in the 15th century, birthed modern Western civilization. The Chinese names for Mount Emei and the Alps share similarities in pronunciation, leading some to draw conclusions about Western civilization's origins in China.

Similarly, the Yongle Encyclopaedia has been alleged to have given rise to various modern scientific concepts, including calculus and the steam engine, which are believed to have originated in China but were allegedly stolen by the West.

The Chinese government has consistently denied support for these pseudo-historical theories, with authorities becoming increasingly concerned about their rising popularity on the internet. In recent months, several official media outlets, including the People's Daily website and a Zhejiang provincial publicity department's social media account, published articles criticizing this trend.

The Qiushi article emphasized that certain pseudo-historical narratives possess ethnic separatist tendencies and could serve as a theoretical foundation for disputing the unity of the Chinese nation. It criticized proponents of pseudo-history for relying on ethnic origins of rulers to determine the legitimacy of ruling China, which often aligns with a form of Han nationalism that views the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644-1911) as an invading colonial power that overthrew the preceding Han dynasty (1368-1644).

The Communist Party considers itself the legitimate successor to both dynasties and maintains sovereignty over Xinjiang, Tibet, and Taiwan. Taiwan is regarded as an integral part of China, and Beijing has not ruled out resorting to military force to reunite the island with the mainland. Most countries, including Taiwan's primary international partner, the United States, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation.

The article concluded that the practical consequences of such claims include the erosion of national identity, while the historical consensus crucial to the Chinese nation's community risks fragmentation. Beijing views ethnic affairs as vital for safeguarding China's territorial integrity, development, and stability, and President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Last year, China took action by banning several influential social media accounts promoting pseudo-history and Han nationalism; however, related content continued to spread in a more decentralized manner. The article also warned about the use of generative artificial intelligence to mass-produce pseudo-historical content, which could shape public thought, especially among teenagers, and suggested that algorithms should not act as a megaphone for these narratives and that mainstream values should be integrated into the models that recommend content on social media platforms.