SOAS Research Online

A Free Database of the Latest Research by SOAS Academics and PhD Students

[skip to content]

Wei, Xiaoshi (2023) 'Pluralistic Unity: The Social Life of Duoyuan yiti in China.' Inner Asia, 25 (1). pp. 23-38.

[img]
Preview
Text - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0).

Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

This essay examines the term duoyuan yiti, ‘pluralistic unity’, in cultural and artistic contexts in China and its use in everyday speech in the form of cultural metaphors. It briefly introduces the history of this term and provides examples of its use in political speech, academic writing and grassroots communication. The article also analyses discourses, phrases and ideas that have been constructed around duoyuan yiti, noting their profound impact on social life in China, particularly in its ‘minority’ regions. The article seeks to fill in the gap between, on the one hand, research into the term in Chinese in line with China’s official views and, on the other hand, policy-focused critical approaches in English-language academic writing. Through examining a cluster of derivative terms and slogans, I illustrate how, in public discourse, ‘diversity’ is performed and articulated as subsidiary to ‘unity’ in contemporary China.

Item Type: Journal Article
Keywords: pluralistic unity, Chinese nation, ethnic relations, common consciousness, Chinese academic writing, Chinese minority music research
SOAS Departments & Centres: Departments and Subunits > School of Arts > Department of Music
ISSN: 14648172
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.1163/22105018-02501003
SWORD Depositor: JISC Publications Router
Date Deposited: 15 May 2023 11:41
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/39492

Altmetric Data

Statistics

Download activity - last 12 monthsShow export options
Downloads since deposit
6 month trend
81Downloads
6 month trend
36Hits
Accesses by country - last 12 monthsShow export options
Accesses by referrer - last 12 monthsShow export options

Repository staff only

Edit Item Edit Item