People's Daily commentator: Deeply grasp the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization Culture | China | Characteristics
Profound grasp of the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization
On the study and implementation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the Symposium on Cultural inheritance and Development
"only with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the history of Chinese civilization can we more effectively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent Chinese traditional culture, more effectively promote the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation." At the forum on cultural inheritance and development, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out that "there are many important elements in Chinese excellent traditional culture, which jointly shape the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization." an in-depth explanation of the outstanding continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and peace of Chinese civilization will help us to have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the history of Chinese civilization and better shoulder the new cultural mission. It is of great guiding significance to work together to create a new culture that belongs to our time.
The source is dredged and the flow is long, while the root is deep and the leaves are lush. The Chinese nation is an ancient and great nation in the world, with a civilization history of over 5000 years. It is the only civilization in the world that has continued from ancient times to the present without interruption, forming a unique and profound value system and civilization system. The Chinese characters we use today have no fundamental difference from oracle bone inscriptions, and some of the concepts summarized by ancient philosophers such as Laozi, Confucius, Mencius, and Zhuangzi have continued to this day. This civilization, which has developed continuously for thousands of years, is rare among all ethnic groups in the world.
Innovating and keeping up with the times is the eternal spiritual temperament of Chinese civilization. Thousands of years ago, the ancestors of the Chinese nation adhered to the spirit of "although Zhou was an old country, its destiny was renewed" and embarked on the great practice of creating Chinese civilization. Since ancient times, Chinese civilization has been continuously developing through inheritance and innovation, constantly sublimating in response to changes, and accumulating the deepest spiritual pursuit of the Chinese nation. It is a rich nourishment for the continuous growth and development of the Chinese nation. From the perspective of thousands of years of history, reform and opening up are generally the norm in China's history. History and practice have fully proved that Chinese civilization has outstanding innovation, which fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation to uphold integrity and respect the past without restoring it. It also determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation to not be afraid of new challenges and to be brave enough to accept new things.
A Chinese history is a history of various ethnic groups blending and converging into a diverse and integrated Chinese nation. It is a history of all ethnic groups working together to create, develop, and consolidate a unified great motherland. The reason why various ethnic groups are united and integrated, and why diversity is gathered into one, stems from the cultural inclusiveness, economic interdependence, and emotional closeness of each ethnic group, as well as the endogenous driving force of the Chinese nation's pursuit of unity and solidarity. History and practice have fully proved that Chinese civilization has outstanding unity, fundamentally determining the integration of various ethnic cultures of the Chinese nation, and the firm cohesion even in the face of major setbacks. It determines the common belief that national territory cannot be separated, the country cannot be chaotic, the nation cannot be separated, and civilization cannot be interrupted. It also determines that national unity will always be the core of China's core interests, and that a strong and unified country is the fate of all ethnic groups.
Civilizations exchange due to diversity, learn from each other through exchange, and develop through mutual learning. The Chinese civilization has been known for its openness and inclusiveness since ancient times. Through mutual exchange and learning with other civilizations, it has continuously radiated new vitality and contributed a profound ideological system, rich scientific and technological cultural and artistic achievements, and unique institutional creations to the world, profoundly influencing the process of world civilization. All things are nurtured together without harming each other, and the Tao runs parallel without contradicting each other. The initiative of jointly building the "the Belt and Road" is derived from the concept of "Great Harmony" in Chinese culture, and is committed to promoting exchanges and cooperation between different countries. History and practice have fully proven that Chinese civilization has outstanding inclusiveness, fundamentally determining the historical orientation of communication, exchange, and integration of the Chinese nation, the harmonious pattern of diverse coexistence of various religious beliefs in China, and the open mind of Chinese culture to embrace world civilization.
The pursuit of peace, harmony, and harmony is deeply rooted in the spiritual world of the Chinese nation and deeply dissolved in the blood of the Chinese people. The concepts of "harmony is precious", "harmony but difference", "turning swords into jade", "national security and people's safety" have been passed down from generation to generation. China was once one of the most powerful countries in the world for a long time in history, but there is no record of colonization or aggression against other countries. More than 600 years ago, Zheng He led the world's largest fleet on his voyages to the West, bringing silk, tea, and porcelain instead of war, without occupying an inch of land along the way. History and practice have fully proved that Chinese civilization has outstanding peacefulness, fundamentally determining that China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a maintainer of international order. It has also determined that China continuously pursues cultural exchange and mutual learning rather than cultural hegemony, and will not impose its own values and political system on others. It has also determined that China adheres to cooperation, does not engage in confrontation, and will never engage in a small circle of "same party and differences".
If culture prospers, the country will prosper, and if culture is strong, the nation will be strong. Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great cause of comprehensive development and progress. Without the prosperous development of socialist culture, there can be no socialist modernization. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has made a macro outlook on the two-step strategic arrangement to comprehensively build a socialist modernized strong country, clarifying the development goals of building a cultural strong country and significantly enhancing the country's cultural soft power by 2035. To continue promoting cultural prosperity, building a strong cultural nation, and building a modern civilization of the Chinese nation from a new starting point, we must comprehensively and deeply understand the more than 5000 years of development history of Chinese civilization, deeply grasp the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization, better understand and identify with Chinese civilization, enhance historical self-awareness, strengthen cultural confidence, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture, and continuously create new brilliance in Chinese culture.
The vast and profound Chinese civilization is a unique spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation. Facing the future, time and momentum are on our side. This is where our determination and confidence lie, as well as our determination and confidence.
