Being Chinese, Becoming Chinese

Daniel A. Bell is Professor, Chair of Political Theory with the Faculty of Law at the University of Hong Kong. He served as Dean at Shandong University’s School of Political Science and Public Administration from 2017 to 2022. He is the author of The Dean of Shandong, The China Model, Just Hierarchy (with Wang Pei), , and China’s New Confucianism (all by Princeton University Press).

""The essays collected in this book present the readers with various conceptions of the meaning of being or becoming Chinese. These different perspectives caution readers to critically examine their biases when attributing any nature, characteristic, habit, or behavior to Chinese people as a whole.The variety of views presented in this book serve as reminders that Chinese culture is varied and multifaceted, with no single authority defining its scope. This book makes for a timely read when populist conflicts between Chinese people and foreigners are on the rise. It serves as a warning both against jingoistic pride and the demonization of Chinese culture."" —Yan Xuetong, Professor and Director of The Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University""Bell and his fellow contributors illuminate how “Chineseness” transcends mere ethnic or cultural definitions, offering profound insights into relational worldviews, historical evolutions, and modern-day commitments to family, nation, and global harmony. This book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the multifaceted nature of Chinese identity and the changing landscape of Chinese diaspora in an interconnected—and increasingly chaotic—world."" —Li Cheng, Professor of Political Science and Founding Director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World, University of Hong Kong""A stellar range of scholars tackles a profound set of questions about the nature of being, or becoming, Chinese. The book draws on history, philosophy, and archaeology to offer a challenging and intense debate on what Chineseness has really meant over the centuries and in the present day, and shows why that is a topic of immense significance to the world, not just China."" —Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations, Harvard Kennedy School""A fascinating book bringing together a group of leading philosophers, historians, and legal theorists to explore Chinese identity. Their sharp inquiries take us deep into key issues regarding nation, ethnicity, and changing boundaries of Self and Other in Chinese history, Confucian thought, and contemporary political and legal systems. Like any brilliant conversationalists, they not only give the reader a primer of their own views, but also inspire new thoughts and questions. This book is an intellectual feast for anyone interested in the role of China in the world in the 21st century."" —Anna Sun, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Sociology, Duke University