Contemporary Value of the “Yihai Alliance” in Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1674-9391.2024.10.006

Abstract： “The Yihai Alliance”" represents a successful model of the Communist Party of China’s early implementation of ethnic policies based on Marxist" ethnic theories and is a classic" opus of the Party’s ethnic work. It" epitomizes the close-knit relationship and the spirit of" a shared future" between the Yi and Han， carrying" far-reaching significance for promoting ethnic unity and progress." The Party firmly" regards all ethnic groups in China as an integral part of" a big family and a community with" a" shared future， and has made unremitting efforts" to help and liberate ethnic minorities with respect，" sincerity，" and trust." This historical event of" the “Yihai Alliance” set an exemplary precedent" for the Party to deal with ethnic issues" during the Long March， and became a" milestone" of ethnic unity in the history of the Party.

In the new era of ethnic work， this study proposes that taking General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important thoughts on strengthening and improving the ethnic work as guiding principles， we should deeply analyze the" contemporary value" of the “Yihai Alliance” in" forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. By leveraging the alliance’s" influence， infectivity， and persuasion，" the “Five Identifications”" can be promoted， potentially consolidating" a strong sense of Chinese national community among" all ethnic peoples. The" promotion of the “Yihai Alliance” spirit aims to cultivate the awareness of ethnic unity， the sense of the nation， and the consciousness of" the" Chinese national community，" as well as enhance the identification with the great motherland.

Carrying forward the spirit of" the" “Yihai" Alliance”" would entail establishing the concepts" of sharing weal and woe， honor and shame，" life and death， and the same future， presenting a unified Chinese nation on the global stage to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation，" adhering to the time-honored pattern of a nation-state of one family since ancient times， and" enhancing" the identity of the Chinese nation." Carrying forward the spirit of" the “Yihai" Alliance” would also call for different ethnic groups" to overcome" prejudice and" narrow-mindedness， establish a correct view of the country， history，" ethnicities， and culture， jointly build cultural commonality and integrity，" uphold" inclusiveness， seek common ground while reserving differences， and enhance the identity of Chinese culture." Carrying forward the spirit of" the “Yihai" Alliance” and drawing from the past century’s historical experience， we clearly" recognize" that upholding the leadership of the Party constitutes a" political guarantee for maintaining" harmonious， united， and progressive ethnic relations. As such， the leadership of the Party should be resolutely supported" and our recognition of the Communist Party of" China enhanced. Additionally， carrying forward the spirit of “Yihai" Alliance”" demands holding on to the right direction of social development， firmly" believing" that taking the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics will surely realize the dream of becoming a powerful Chinese nation.

Finally，to" give full play to the contemporary value of the Yihai" Alliance，" there should be a full exploration of" the political guiding value，" the ethnic unity education value， and" the" revolutionary spirit education value of" the" “Yihai Alliance” as a model red cultural" resources. This could facilitate high-quality development of red cultural resources to" better serve local ethnic work， so as to write a new chapter" of ethnic work" on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization.

Key Words： Yihai Alliance; the sense of community of the Chinese nation;" contemporary value