Conclusion

In this book, the author examines how the Chinese, as heirs to an ancient civilisation, conceptualise nationhood, perceive the “Other”, establish relations with outsiders, and govern populations under their domination. The study emphasises that in regions where Chineseness is predominant, alternative identities and cultures are unable to coexist on equal terms, primarily due to the nature of Chineseness itself, which does not readily accommadate such coexistence. Drawing on extensive field data, the author analyses Chinese-style assimilation in the Uyghur case and elucidates the traumatic transformations experienced by non-Chinese populations within the framework of Sinicisation.