2022-06-02 16:44:42 | Author:Bao Chuanjian | Source:globaltimes.cn2022-06-01
Mobile photo shows the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2019.(Photo: Xinhua)
Twenty
years ago, a comprehensive national research project was launched to
explore the origin and early development of Chinese civilization.
Retrospectively, the project has made remarkable achievements. Recently,
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, praised the
project for "putting forward its own definition of civilization and its
solution to develop a more civilized world, which has made creative
contributions to the research on tracing the origins of the world
civilization."
Culture and civilization reflect the spirit and
identity of a country and nation. The 10,000-year cultural history and
more than 5,000 years of civilizational history of China put flesh on
how a sense of community among the Chinese people is developing and how
Chinese people of all ethnic groups are united in diversity. These are
the cultural resources and heritages on which the path of Chinese
modernization and the new form of human civilization are based.
History
is a textbook for people to learn from and a mirror to better see the
world. Xi emphasized the need to establish a "grand historical
perspective," and the in-depth study of the history of Chinese
civilization is precisely one of what this perspective entails. The
Chinese civilization epitomizes the common values of humanity, which
embodies traditional narratives such as Under Heaven (Tianxia) and
harmonious coexistence of man and nature.
In the face of the
increasing instability and uncertainty in today's world, all countries
should comprehend the evolution of the world order and human development
from the long history and the tide of the times. Bearing history in
mind, global villagers must subscribe to mutual appreciation rather than
a clash of civilizations, and jointly promote the building of a
community of shared future for mankind.
China's fine traditional
culture reflects the wisdom and essence of Chinese civilization. It can
provide useful insights for governance and moral construction. One of
the common elements that open the way to understanding China, the
Chinese people, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese nation is
traditional Chinese culture, or put more specifically, the fine part of
it.
In the midst of world culture interplay, Chinese culture has
stood the test of history and changes in the external environment. Its
inclusiveness and openness have become even more unwavering. The reason
why Chinese culture is so colorful and profound lies in its inclusive
nature.
China has had its place and influence in the world, not
through militarism or hegemony, but through the powerful appeal and
attractiveness of Chinese culture.
As the Resolution of the CPC
Central Committee on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of
the Party over the Past Century points out: Confidence in one's
culture, which is a broader, deeper, and more fundamental form of
self-confidence, is the most essential, profound, and enduring source of
strength for the development of a country and a nation.
Strengthening
cultural confidence is a systematic project. First, further measures
should be taken to improve the institutional mechanism of protecting and
discovering traditional culture, and empower the inheritance and
dissemination of it. It is advisable to strengthen the construction of
"beautiful village" in rural areas to increase the people's sense of
cultural participation and belonging. As one of society's main agents of
change and progress, the young generation should be better equipped
with traditional cultural knowledge, e.g., by putting more efforts on
thematic educational activities.
Second, with cultural exchanges
going from strength to strength, China's soft power will increase.
Actively participating in the cultural exchange is an important means to
enriching one's own culture. For example, cultural communication and
think tanks dialogue are an integral part of cooperation among countries
along the Belt and Road Initiative.
Third, Chinese culture makes
contributions of Chinese solutions to global governance. By virtue of
Chinese culture's ability to keep pace with the times, China has
recently proposed the Global Development Initiative and the Global
Security Initiative, respectively, to put forward answers to the current
development and security deficits in global governance.
The
world is facing major changes unprecedented in a century, and the global
pandemic has wreaked havoc disproportionately on vulnerable people.
Various social trends are competing fiercely, populism, deglobalization
and xenophobia are on the rise, and the principles of the UN Charter and
multilateralism are being challenged. In this context, the history of
Chinese civilization and the common values of humanity embedded in it
will hopefully provide useful vision to better develop international
cooperation and improve global governance structures in the
post-pandemic era.
The author is associate professor with Central Compilation and Translation