China’s transition from a dynastic empire to a sovereign nation-state was a crucial turning point in early modern history. This process of “salvation from the threat of extermination” (救亡) was closely intertwined with the emergence of the problematic of minzu [“nationalities” and/or the “nation” they comprise]. Despite their shared goal of national salvation, however, the intelligentsia was divided by multiple questions. “Southwestern nationalities studies” (西南民族研究) [ethnology on the various non-Han ethnic groups in southwestern China] provides an example of these intense debates.