Abstract:
The Yuan Dynasty was the first dynasty in Chinese history to be unified by the northern nationalities. Based on the concept of “the world is one family”, the ruling class and the people of the Yuan Dynasty showed a strong sense of identity with China.The most direct manifestation of the Yuan Dynasty’s identity with “China” is that it called itself “China” in the discourse system of the emperors and subjects of the Yuan Dynasty. Especially when it comes to relations with neighboring countries, the word “China” was used more frequently and its meaning was also clearer. The core content of the Yuan Dynasty’s “China” identity is cultural identity and regime identity: The Yuan dynasty revered Confucianism, established temples to worship Confucius, and propagated doctrines of Confucianism; In terms of political regime, there are both inheritance and innovation, strengthening the effective management of border areas, promoting ethnic integration, and enhancing the “China” identity consciousness of all ethnic groups. The most explicit “China” identity of the Yuan Dynasty was to see itself as “Chinese” orthodoxy, establish a new regime and change the title. It also offered sacrifices to emperors of the past dynasties and recognized Liao, Jin and Song as orthodox, which constantly strengthened its status as a Chinese orthodox dynasty. The indirect identity with “China” in the Yuan Dynasty was reflected in the identity of others. Annam and Goryeo, who were contemporaneous with the Yuan Dynasty, also called the Yuan Dynasty “China”. The Ming Dynasty replaced the Yuan dynasty and regarded the Yuan Dynasty as the orthodox dynasty of China.
