In addition, China had been elevated to a status of idealization, particularly in Marxist circles, where its existence as an ideal state served as an effective counterpoint to capitalist corruption. I began looking for a way of communicating my perceptions with others which would serve the purpose of general enlightenment. As I searched through volumes of scholarly research on China, I began to find general agreement with my perceptions, but only among scholars steeped in the country's lore and current realities. My interest in H-Asia is to observe some of the things which fellow Asian scholars discuss, to become aware of professional opportunities, and also to exchange views with others who have similar research interests. From the above, you might guess that I am looking for a reappraisal of the way China is viewed.
China is viewed in a variety of ways, all with some degree of accuracy.
I am specifically looking for those populist perceptions, and the process of their generation, which affect public policy. Miyazaki saw the history of East Asia as a dichotomy between the civilized core of China and primitive peripheries. Since civilization ultimately corrupts, Miyazaki reasoned, whenever that happened in China, it needed to be rescued and rejuvenated by the fresh energy of the primitive neighbours. Hence, China was destined to be invaded from time to time, for the sake of the survival of its own civilization. Mongols, Manchus, and a host of others did the job in the past, and now, you guessed, it was Japan's turn.