Since the 1990s, globalisation has affected the presentation of ethnicity in China, though it has done so in different ways across China. In this paper I analyse the different impact of globalisation on Hui identity in southern Fujian and in Nanjing. In southern Fujian, the Hui claim that their ancestors came from Western Asia and emphasise their Hui status as a token to pursue their own goal’s of economic and social well-being. The Hui in Nanjing, however, come from northwest China. Their restaurant businesses—selling Lanzhou style noodles and halal meat—have afforded them opportunities to meet halal meat suppliers from different places, including one of the largest transnational halal food companies. Through this interaction, the Hui in Nanjing have been exposed to the influences of globalisation, and so they differ from the Hui people from southern Fujian.

About the Speaker

Fan Ke earned his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Washington in 2001. He currently serves as a Professor and Doctoral Advisor in the Department of Sociology at Nanjing University and Director of Nanjing University’s Anthropology Institute. Professor Fan’s research interests include identity politics, Muslims in Southern China, and globalisation and transnationalism.

After the Seminar

To allow for informal discussion, the seminar will be followed by a dinner with the guest speaker at 6:15pm. The location of the restaurant will be announced at the seminar. All are welcome, though those who attend will need to pay for their own food and drinks. As reservations must be made at the restaurant, please RSVP by noon of the day before the seminar to jasmine.lin@anu.edu.au

The ANU China Seminar Series is supported by the China Institute, the Research School of Asia and the Pacific, and the Australian Centre on China in the World at The Australian National University.