A Historical Exploration of Ethnic Interactions between the Xizang Region and Inland China throughout the Feudal Dynasties

（School of Economics， Southwest Minzu University， Chengdu， 610225， Sichuan， China）

JOURNAL OF ETHNOLOGY， VOL. 15， NO.01， 29-39， 2024 （CN51-1731/C， in Chinese）

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1674-9391.2024.01.004

Abstract：

Across" the vast land of ancient China， Xizang has always maintained close relationships， continuous" exchanges， and profound integration with" the diverse ethnic groups inhabiting" inland China.

This paper starts from the Tang dynasty to study this" communication， interaction， and integration between Xizang and the inland ethnic groups during the feudal dynasties by roughly dividing it into three distinct stages： The first stage was the initial exchange period in Tang dynasty during" which Xizang and inland ethnic groups initiated multifaceted contacts， especially after Princess Wencheng arrived at Xizang. In the second stage， the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty further implemented a more systematic and effective administration of the" Xizang region， which deepened the interconnection" between Xizang and the various ethnic groups in inland China. The third stage appeared to be a stable development period of a unified administration of Xizang by the Qing Court. During this period， the Qing Dynasty leadership was paying more attention to Xizang， which"" both enhanced the ethnic unity within Xizang and promoted the development of relations between" the Xizang region and inland China." The resulting interface between Xizang and the myriad ethnic peoples of inland China" not only brought them" cultural identity and economic development but also laid" a foundation for the formation and" development of the Chinese national community through close exchanges and interactions among" the various ethnic groups.

By examining" the historical interaction between Xizang and the inland ethnic groups" during feudal dynasties， one can clearly know that the ethnic groups of Xizang had close interactions with" those of the inland regions， and Xizang has always been an inseparable part of China since ancient times. In the process of" these interactions， a communication way of mutual interaction， mutual immersion， and mutual support has been formed. The findings of this paper yield several implications： First，"" there has been an enduring tone of solidarity， friendship， and" mutual assistance between various ethnic groups in Xizang and those of" inland China; second， feudal dynasties witnessed a profound intermingling and reciprocal learning of" cultures of all ethnic groups in Xizang and inland China，" exemplifying a dynamic cultural exchange and blending; third， during the feudal dynasties， along with the development of the history， the exchanges between the" Xizang region and" various ethnic groups in inland China" gradually deepened.

As the adage goes， “History is the best textbook”."" The continuous interchanges between Xizang region and inland China have created a new situation of interdependence， exchange， integration， and sharing weal and woe. After the founding of the Peoples Republic of China， the Communist Party of China" united and directed" the people of Xizang on a" correct path" of being masters by the people of Xizang themselves. Since" the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China， Xizang has embarked on a trajectory of rapid development， marked by an improved infrastructure，"" enabling increased exchanges and interactions among various ethnic groups." All" ethnic groups have" converged" under the banner of the Chinese nation， and the sense of community for the Chinese nation has been strengthened as never before.

Key Words：

Xizang region; historical civilization; feudal dynasties; communication， integration， and integration; strengthen a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation