Abstract
Ethnic and national differences and particularly their mobilisation for political ends have been at the core of many violent conflicts and political campaigns in distant and recent history. The nation is, to say the least, a concept fraught with tensions. For some it is the product of natural and objective allegiances, and for others it is a modern construct attributed to the growth of modern technology and ideologies. Hoisting a national flag, celebration of national holidays, supporting a national team during international sport events, singing the national anthem, and voting in televised competitions like the annual Eurovision Song Contest are all examples of moments when people express their national loyalties. The formulation of new national concepts and categories of distinction were integral to the transformation of Chinese imperial structure into the modern state. Competing political groups employed the notion minzu or nation to propagate new kinds of political allegiances among the Chinese.
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