HUA Jianguang: Perpetual Renewal: Chinese Civilization and Chinese Modernization

In the process of modernization, different countries and regions possess distinct cultural traditions and historical contexts, naturally requiring them to explore development paths suited to their own conditions in accordance with time and place. For contemporary China, Chinese-style modernization has been comprehensively rolled out, urgently demanding that we trace origins, understand changes, and deeply reflect on how this path emerged from the matrix of Chinese civilization.

Emerging from five thousand years of unbroken Chinese civilization, Chinese modernization marks a monumental advance of Chinese civilization, as well as a remarkable pioneering endeavor in the history of human civilization. Therefore, we must consciously reflect upon this intrinsic phenomenon and advance Chinese-style modernization with a stronger sense of cultural subjectivity.

Chinese modernization is rooted in the soil of Chinese culture, and essentially it is to be continuously infused with the Chinese spirit. Among the foundational traditions of Chinese civilization, which, on the one hand, have transformed to give birth to the new living organism of today's Chinese culture? We must incorporate multidisciplinary expertise and conduct comprehensive research over a longer historical period in order to gain a more accurate understanding. On the other hand, which elements of traditional culture still await selection to take the essence and discard the dregs? We must adopt a future-oriented approach and deliberate rigorously in order to make sound choices and respond appropriately. Additionally, what constitutes the internal structure of Chinese civilization? How did this structure originate from the intellectual traditions of the Three Dynasties? Once established, how did it continuously renew itself amid the tension between order and dynamism? During each advance of the civilization, how did human subjective agency come into play, and how did the renewal of cultural vitality develop? Although history never repeats itself, an in-depth reflection on the experience of renewal and advancement throughout Chinese history will benefit us in carrying forward the culture and rejuvenating our civilization more steadily.

Paths to modernization are diverse, and so are civilizations. Through independent exploration, various civilizations have forged, or are forging, suitable modernization paths. Some accomplished modernization amid the rise of nation-states, the decline of Latin as a lingua franca, and the Age of Discovery; some embarked on their modernization journeys from the ruins after colonization. Some found renewal through arduous struggles from historical impasses, while some others came to a halt at the very threshold of modernization. Comparatively speaking, Chinese civilization is not only fortunate to have achieved continuity and innovation, but also distinguished by a remarkable level of consistency, being the sole ancient civilization to endure without interruption and develop as a nation down to the present day.

For a very long period, Chinese civilization considered and pursued cultural exchange and civilizational continuity from the perspective of tianxia (“All-under-heaven”) and shengmin (“the livelihood of the people”). This is also the perspective from which China unexpectedly found itself confronted with a form of modernization defined by the nation-state system. When was the starting point of Chinese modernization? How should we interpret its historical significance and contemporary implications? How can China’s classical scholarship and spirit be carried forward? How can contemporary China achieve modernization in rural areas? How can the fine traditional Chinese culture benefit more of the population? To address such practical questions, we should set out from the practice of Chinese modernization and proactively inquire retrospectively to the history.

However, retrospective inquiries risk the fallacy of trimming and judging the past arbitrarily through the lens of present-day preconceptions and biases. Consequently, we also need an alternative perspective by following the flow of history. That is to say, to identify subtle details by immersing ourselves calmly in the historical and cultural contexts of each period, and repeatedly engaging in deliberation and reflection.

By shifting between these two perspectives, one can integrate present concerns with in-depth historical insights. We are convinced that such studies on the creative transformation of Chinese civilization will doubtlessly provide a more robust cultural and intellectual foundation for Chinese modernization. Moreover, this approach also ensures that Chinese civilization and Chinese modernization not only possess distinct Chinese character but also demonstrate the global significance of Chinese civilization's inheritance and innovation by comparison with other civilizations and paths across the world. With both Chinese and tianxia perspectives on China and tianxia, our persistent exploration and practice will surely lead to a harmonious world in which Chinese civilization enjoys an enduring vitality while all human societies cherish each other's culture and flourish together.

Reviewers: WANG Wei

Executive Editors: LIU Qi, Huang Mijia,YANG Fanxin, ZHANG Jingjing

Translator: ZHANG Yuqing

Web Editor: ZHANG Jingjing