Sinocentrism facts for kids

Sinocentrism is the idea that China was once seen as the most important and advanced country in the world. It's like believing your own culture is the center of everything.

What is Sinocentrism?

This belief meant that people in China thought their country was the cultural heart of the world. They saw China as the most developed civilization and other countries or groups as less advanced. This idea was very strong among important Chinese leaders and thinkers for a long time, especially before the 1900s.

China's View of the World

In ancient times, this idea often led to a way of thinking called the Hua–Yi distinction. This was a way to tell the difference between the "civilized" Chinese (called "Hua") and the "barbarian" or less civilized people outside China (called "Yi").

When Did This Idea Change?

The idea of Sinocentrism started to fade in the 1800s. It faced many challenges in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because of these changes, it's not a widely held belief among most Chinese people today.

Han Chinese and National Identity

Sometimes, Sinocentrism refers to the strong cultural pride of the Han Chinese, who are the largest ethnic group in China. It can also relate to a more modern idea called zhonghua minzu, which is about the idea of a united Chinese nation.

Images for kids

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  A map showing the different levels of influence Imperial China had over other areas.

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  This old map from the 1700s shows Vietnam's Lê dynasty as a "middle state," similar to how China saw itself.

See also

In Spanish: Sinocentrismo para niños