The Century of Humiliation: Understanding China’s Ambition and CCP’s Political Legitimisation

Abstract

The Century of Humiliation was the most tragic and dire time for all Chinese, and the nation is still haunted by it. The study of the Century of Humiliation as a national narrative aims to understand the motives of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) attempt to use the humiliation narrative to legitimise the one-party state ideology and ramp up support from Chinese citizens. The Century was also used to stabilise the CCP’s regime, especially in the post-Mao era, which shifted from the Maoist victor narrative to the narrative of victimisation. What unfolded during the Century greatly impacted the Chinese national psyche, while also playing a very crucial role in building modern China’s strategies and shaping China’s perspective of the existing international system. Therefore, China established the People's Republic of China (PRC) with international elements that help its nation grow safely and enable it to pursue national interests within the existing international system. Throughout the 70 years of the PRC, the CCP has been encouraged to work collaboratively to rebuild and strengthen the nation domestically and play a more active role in the international arena. The CCP continues to adapt its historical narrative to suit its strategy objectives at different times, in order to dispel the bitterness from the humiliating defeats, reclaim its losses and achieve its dream of national rejuvenation, and eventually determine its destiny.