Modern Chinese identity has been shaped by the experience of repeated conflict, and in particular the war against Japan in the 1930s and 40s. We will hear about ways in which Chinese identity changed because of the impact of war, including the identities of women, ethnic minorities and refugees. We then see how China's turbulent history is reflected in the shaping of contemporary Chinese identity in the 21st century. 

Rana Mitter is Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at the University of Oxford. His research is on Chinese nationalism, with a particular interest in the Sino-Japanese War of the 1930s and 1940s. His books include 'A Bitter Revolution: China's struggle with the modern world' ,and 'Modern China: A very short introduction'. He has won several external research grants, including a Leverhulme Research Leadership Award (2007-12). He is a presenter for BBC Radio 3's arts and ideas programme 'Night Waves'.

Find out more
Rana Mitter on BBC Radio 3
Rana Mitter presents Modern China: A very short introduction: on YouTube