Research Update
11
Sep
ZHANG Donggang, Chairman of RUC Council and Chairman of RUC National Academy of Development and Strategy, recently gave an exclusive interview to China News Service's "East-West dialogue" program, where he explained the important implications of the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. He elaborated on the concept of civilization harmony, its meaning, and significance, and shared his insights on the future prospects of human civilization as well as reflections on the mission of scholars. Part of the key points of the interview are summarized as follows:
1. The Significance of Studying Civilization
The term “civilization” appeared early in Chinese classical literature. The Book of Changes states: “When a dragon appears in the field, the world is illuminated by civilization.” The Tang Dynasty Confucian scholar Kong Yingda explained "civilization" as: "To govern heaven and earth is called 'Wen' (culture), and to illuminate the four corners is called 'Ming' (brightness)." Here, "civilization" refers to the concept of brightness. Since modern times, with the eastward spread of Western learning, the academic community began using the English term "civilization" as translation, thus forming today’s widely accepted concept.
The academic definitions of civilization, both in China and abroad, are diverse. According to the concise definition in the Encyclopedia of China, "Civilization is the comprehensive material, institutional, and spiritual achievements of humanity in transforming the world; it is both the result and symbol of social progress and the enlightened state of humanity." Generally, civilization refers to the comprehensive achievements of human development at a certain stage, distinguishing it from a primitive or barbaric state. Civilization represents the history of human creation and evolution. Civilization can be categorized by content into material, political, and spiritual civilization; by chronological order into ancient, modern, and other forms of civilization; and by geography into Chinese, Western, and other civilizations. Civilization is characterized by dynamic evolution, with its rise and fall constantly occurring.
Civilization is an immense and complex system. It is important to recognize that the contemporary tradition of disciplinary specialization has become deeply ingrained, while humanity faces increasingly complex and comprehensive challenges. This requires us to avoid studying any single aspect or isolated element in isolation. The correctness of individual case studies may lead to the fallacy of composition, akin to “the blind men feeling the elephant.” Therefore, we need not only specialized knowledge but also higher-level comprehensive research. This is precisely why the study of "civilization" is so significant today.
First, civilization encompasses the entire process of human history across time and space.
Studying the history of civilization helps us better understand the development of human society. Ancient civilizations are not opposed to modern civilization; rather, they are the source of it. Only by clearly understanding the past of civilization can we accurately comprehend humanity's present.
Second, civilization is a major phenomenon influencing the contemporary world order, representing the present of humanity. Civilization is not only fundamental research but also strategic research, and it involves the study of grand historical perspectives. Only by approaching civilization from this height can we more effectively explain the underlying logic of the functioning of contemporary international society and human development.
Third, civilization serves as the foundational starting point for envisioning humanity's future development, representing the future of humanity.
Human society has entered an era full of uncertainties, with opportunities and challenges coexisting. Major questions, such as where human society is headed and the future form of human civilization, need to be reflectively understood within the foundational theories of civilization development.
2. The Important Implications of the Global Civilization Initiative Proposed by President Xi Jinping
President Xi Jinping explained the core essence of the Global Civilization Initiative through four “joint advocacies,” highlighting the concept of civilization held by the Chinese people as they move toward rejuvenation in the process of Chinese-style modernization. Dialogue and exchanges between different civilizations, along with mutual learning, will provide intrinsic motivation to help humanity solve the challenges of modernization, allowing the flowers of human civilization to bloom and promoting the progress of human civilization.
The Global Civilization Initiative helps to consolidate shared values, clarify misconceptions about civilization, and promote the common values of all humanity—peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom. It aims to break the shackles of ideas such as the “theory of civilization barriers,” the “clash of civilizations,” and “civilization superiority.” By fostering dialogue to overcome barriers, mutual learning to transcend conflicts, and inclusiveness to surpass notions of superiority, it seeks to create new forms of human civilization through equal dialogue and mutual understanding.
For over 5,000 years, Chinese civilization has thrived continuously, integrating the past and the present, and merging Eastern and Western influences. In its modern development journey, the Chinese nation has achieved a "new life for an ancient country," largely due to the outstanding continuity, creativity, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness of its civilization. The Chinese civilization has always emphasized mutual respect and harmonious relations with neighboring civilizations, establishing itself as a society of etiquette and courtesy. By renewing ancient traditions, Chinese civilization can exhibit timeless charm, and through mutual exchange, it can inspire global significance for the development of civilization in harmony and mutual understanding, providing spiritual power for promoting the modernization of humanity.
Promoting the exchange and development of civilizations while continually enriching their content and form, establishing a global network for dialogue and cooperation, and fostering deeper bonds among the peoples of various nations are necessary steps toward building a community with a shared future for humanity. Enhancing international cultural exchanges, broadening the world’s perspective on modern civilization, and demonstrating China’s responsibility in the new era allow the world to see a more confident and increasingly influential China, contributing wisdom and strength to the development of world civilization.
Today, we must deeply understand the higher realm of civilization embodied in the Global Civilization Initiative and better demonstrate a worldview and methodology that embraces the entire globe. Upholding the historical initiative of civilizational creation, we need to break away from the one-sided interpretations of civilizational development posed by Western modernization theories. By improving the mechanisms for civilizational cultivation, practice, and creation, we can explore new paths for different civilizations to harmoniously coexist and thrive, shaping a new pattern and paradigm of global civilizational interaction.
(Translated by ZHANG Yuqing; Proofread by YANG Fanxin)
Source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/O2INqNGZEgD8rGGjLJ54pQ