This book investigates how the Chinese state constructs its national identity by examining the shifting roles and representations of overseas Chinese populations and ethnic minorities. Elena Barabantseva, a scholar specializing in Chinese politics and international relations, utilizes historical analysis and discourse theory to challenge traditional, state-centric narratives of Chinese nationalism. She argues that the inclusion and exclusion of these groups are essential mechanisms for defining the boundaries of the modern Chinese nation-state. By tracing these dynamics from the imperial era through the post-socialist reform period, the author demonstrates how the concept of 'Chineseness' is continuously renegotiated to serve contemporary political objectives.

Experts in the field of Asian studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of Chinese nationalism and state-building. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is well-suited for researchers and students of political sociology.