This book investigates how ethnic minority identities in China are actively negotiated and constructed in response to state-imposed frameworks of citizenship. Chih-yu Shih, a scholar of political science and international relations, utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the power dynamics between the Chinese state and its diverse ethnic populations. By examining the intersection of administrative categorization and individual agency, the author argues that citizenship serves as a primary site for both state control and minority resistance.

Scholars in the field of Chinese studies frequently cite this work for its rigorous integration of political theory and ethnographic observation. Experts highlight the text as a significant contribution to understanding the complexities of state-minority relations in contemporary China.