Abstract: The modern national identity of modern Chinese is not only the due meaning of the process of modern China's integration into the world,but also the product of the new bourgeoisie's rise to the political stage after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895.From 1898 to 1911,two major political factions,the reformers and the revolutionaries,led the 1898 Reform Movement and the Revolution of 1911 successively.The former broke the ice of the dynastic state and introduced the value orientation of modern national identity into the vision of Chinese people for the first time.The latter directly overthrew the dynastic state and created the Republic of China.If we say that the establishment of the Republic of China is a milestone of modern national identity,the starting point should be traced back to the 1898 Reform Movement.The two factions have their own viewpoints and weak points.The former advocated the republican revolution,conforming to the trend of the times;However,it advocated “Anti-Manchu” and “Racial Revolution” which cannot avoid the prejudice of feudal racism,and contradicted the original intention of the nation.The latter rejected the Republicanism,and lost the qualification as trendsetter of the times.However,it opposed the “Anti-Manchu” and “Racial Revolution” and advocated that 400 million people should “form a large nation” to jointly resisted foreign aggression.In dealing with China's multi-ethnic relations,it showed a more rational spirit than the former and corresponded to the historical trend of nation-building.The contradiction and conflict between them form a historical tension.The “Union of Five Races” obviously sublated the “weak points” of both sides,and included their respective “strong points”,namely,“big nationalism” and republican revolution,which reflect the due meaning of nation-building.The establishment of the Republic of China became an important milestone for modern Chinese people to achieve their modern national identity,and it also highlighted the awakening of the consciousness of the Chinese national community in modern times.

Key words: modern national identity, national state, reformers, revolutionaries