Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the evolution of borderlands studies and the need for a recalibration of conceptual frameworks to capture the complexity of contemporary border regions. It highlights the limitations of traditional binary perspectives and advocates for more nuanced, interdisciplinary approaches. Using Chinese borderlands as a case study, it emphasizes their fluidity, interconnectedness, and imaginative dimensions. The mobility and constructed nature of cultural identities in Southern China, the permeability of socio-political borders in the North, and the transformation of traditional border cities in modern times reveal the dynamism of these spaces. This volume aims to push borderlands scholarship in innovative directions by showcasing empirical insights and perspectives tailored to the Chinese context. The recalibration of the field necessitates continuous reworking of theories through rigorous, collaborative research to elucidate the intricacies of borders worldwide.