Configuring a Threatening Other: Historical Narratives in Chinese School Textbooks
The historical narratives about Japan in the Chinese school textbooks, especially those of today, contributed to the construction of a common understanding about the formation of China as a modern nation. Many scholars hold that the root of the tension over Diaoyu Island is history and the conflict of national identity between China and Japan.What was deemed important in such historical narratives was first and foremost an understanding of China`s situation as being bullied, exploited and robbed in the period between 1840-1945 by the foreign imperialists. It is to be learned that China must remain vigilant to foreign, especially Japan and its allies the western powers, which can be contained only by China’s own national power accrued through development and stability. The narrative stresses that only a strong government, such as the CCP regime, can protect China from the greedy foreign perpetrators, of whom Japan is the most dangerous one. This sense of crisis serves as a cornerstone for the CCP`s ruling legitimacy. Hence the historical presentation of Japan could be used as a medium evoking the sense of solidarity among the Chinese people in creating and reproducing patriotism.
