Shao Sheng: Attitudes and Principles for Promoting Mutual Learning and Exchange Among Civilizations [1]
Recently, the publication of the Outline for the Study of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture (hereinafter referred to as the "Outline") has provided us with a more systematic and comprehensive theoretical guide for the in-depth study and understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. The Outline clearly points out that since the 18th CPC National Congress [1], facing a new situation characterized by the exchange, integration, and confrontation of various ideologies and cultures worldwide, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has profoundly grasped the laws governing the development of human civilization. They have gained deep insight into the historic changes in the relationship between China and the world, remaining steadfast in maintaining the position of Chinese culture and cultural subjectivity [2] amidst global cultural turbulence, while simultaneously promoting the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative and fostering exchange and mutual learning among human civilizations. This contributes Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the development of human society and the progress of civilization. This profound exposition reveals the great significance of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, serving as our ideological weapon for addressing the current complex international situation and global challenges.
On March 27, 2014, in a speech at UNESCO headquarters, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly stated: "Civilizations are colorful, and human civilization possesses the value of exchange and mutual learning because of its diversity"; "Civilizations are equal, and human civilization possesses the prerequisite for exchange and mutual learning because of its equality"; "Civilizations are inclusive, and human civilization possesses the internal drive for exchange and mutual learning because of its inclusiveness." He emphasized that these three elements are the correct attitudes and principles that must be upheld to promote exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. These three characteristics profoundly reveal the essential nature of civilization and clarify the correct stance for civilizational interaction. Colorfulness demonstrates the dialectical unity of "diversity" and "identity" in civilization, emphasizing interdependence and complementarity between different civilizations—revealing commonality within diversity and significance within difference to construct a harmonious and beautiful civilizational landscape. Equality rejects all notions of civilizational hierarchy, advocating for the intrinsic equality of civilizations, eliminating superiority and discrimination, promoting respect and dialogue, and highlighting the equal dignity of the civilizations of all countries and ethnic groups. Inclusiveness evokes an open and receptive cultural mindset, advocating for an inclusive stance toward differences, promoting mutual understanding and learning, and calling on all countries to abandon prejudice and move forward hand in hand. These three complement one another, interweaving into a powerful force for global civilizational exchange and development, profoundly revealing the internal laws of civilizational interaction and highlighting the far-reaching significance of mutual learning.
Civilizations are colorful, and human civilization possesses the value of exchange and mutual learning because of its diversity. The diversity of human civilization stems from differences in the natural environments across the globe. These differences have produced diverse modes of production, social systems, value systems, and development paths, representing an inevitable result of historical development. The development of civilization is not predetermined or balanced, nor is it one-dimensional or achieved overnight; rather, it progresses through the dialectical interaction between diversity and identity. The progress of human civilization lies not in the hegemony of a single civilization, but in the "letting a hundred flowers bloom" [3] of diverse civilizations—competing in prosperity, communicating with each other, and participating in mutual influence, fusion, and innovation. For example, throughout the long course of history, the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins in Asia, the Indus and Ganges basins, the Euphrates and Tigris basins, and Southeast Asia have nurtured many ancient civilizations. These civilizations have shone upon and complemented one another, making important contributions to the progress of humanity. Although these civilizations possess unique characteristics and different styles, their integration and collision generated immense momentum to drive human progress. Bronze smelting technology originated in Mesopotamia, yet Chinese civilization innovated upon this foundation to create the magnificent bronze culture of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, becoming a brilliant pearl of world civilization. Arab civilization, based on Chinese papermaking and Indian numerals, absorbed and integrated Chinese algebra, Egyptian astronomy, Ancient Greek geometry, theories of the nature of matter, and medicine, driving revolutionary progress in science and technology which in turn nourished the development of other civilizations. Thus, we see that civilizational diversity opens up endless space for exchange and mutual learning, which in turn injects a continuous stream of power into the innovative development of human civilization, propelling all of humanity toward a more colorful and brilliant future.
Civilizations are equal, and human civilization possesses the prerequisite for exchange and mutual learning because of its equality. Every civilization is rooted in its unique soil, embodying the wisdom and spiritual pursuits of a country and a nation. Each is a treasure in the storehouse of human civilization, deserving of our deep respect and care. They expand the connotation and extension of human civilization from different dimensions, reflecting the values and contributions of different cultures and promoting the continuous sublimation of the human spirit. It is precisely this equality that constitutes the foundation of civilizational exchange and mutual learning. Only by abandoning arrogance and prejudice, maintaining a heart of equality and humility, and being "as open as a valley" [4] can we truly promote understanding and respect, build deep friendships, and create a win-win situation. For instance, the ancient Silk Road was not only a channel for East-West trade but also a stage for the equal exchange of civilizations. Along this ten-thousand-mile path, cultural messengers such as Zhang Qian, Xuanzang, Marco Polo, and Ibn Battuta—driven by admiration and respect for other civilizations—traversed mountains and rivers, enduring hardships to seek truth in distant lands, writing immortal chapters of cultural exchange. Among them, to seek the truth of the Yogacara school of Mahayana Buddhism, Xuanzang set out alone from Chang'an, crossed vast landscapes to India to seek the Dharma, and won the warm welcome and respect of various kingdoms through his extraordinary wisdom and perseverance. Xuanzang not only introduced precious cultural achievements such as Indian Buddhist law, calendars, medicine, logic, and art to China but also translated Chinese classics like the Dao De Jing into Sanskrit, widely spreading Chinese culture to the Western Regions [5]. He took the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana, which had been lost in India but remained well-preserved in China, re-translated it into Sanskrit, and brought it back to India. This magnificent epic of mutual enlightenment between Chinese and Indian civilizations remains a model of equal exchange that continues to shine after a millennium.
Civilizations are inclusive, and human civilization possesses the internal drive for exchange and mutual learning because of its inclusiveness. Exchange and mutual learning must unfold on a foundation of inclusiveness. Self-isolation inevitably leads to the decline of a civilization; only through openness and acceptance can a civilization achieve self-renewal and vitality. The fundamental reason why Chinese civilization has endured five thousand years of trials—remaining vibrant, multifaceted, and standing at the pinnacle of world civilization—is that while steadfastly inheriting its own cultural traditions, it has always maintained a spirit of "incorporating a hundred rivers" [6] and learning from the strengths of others. Guided by this cultural spirit, Chinese civilization has continuously absorbed the essence of cultures worldwide. For example, the splendor of Dunhuang culture is precisely the fusion of the cultural essences of the world's various ethnic groups and a model of the continuous integration of Chinese civilization over millennia. As a hub on the ancient Silk Road, Dunhuang was historically an important window for interaction between the civilization systems of China, India, Persia, and Greece. It was a frontier platform for exchange between the Han people and various ethnic groups of the Eurasian steppes and oases—such as the Yuezhi, Sogdians, Turks, Tibetans, Tanguts, Uyghurs, and Mongols. It was also a vast stage for the confluence of multiple religions and cultures, including Buddhism, Brahmanism, Catholicism, Manichaeism, Nestorian Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Daoism, Confucianism, and Han folk beliefs. In this melting pot of diverse cultures, Dunhuang—rooted in Central Plains and Hexi cultures—widely absorbed foreign civilizations to nurture a unique new culture, becoming a paradigm for the inclusiveness of Chinese civilization and the pluralistic tolerance of human civilization. Today, as cultural links between countries grow increasingly tight, the broad inclusive spirit of the Chinese nation continues to provide valuable wisdom and inspiration for contemporary civilizational exchange.
Facing the intricate international situation and severe global challenges, we must more firmly practice the correct attitudes and principles of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. Only by upholding diversity, equality, and inclusiveness can we promote deep dialogue and cooperation between different civilizations to solve the many problems facing world development today. No single civilization can independently deal with global issues such as the environmental crisis, economic inequality, and social unrest. Only by pooling the wisdom and strength of all civilizations can we create a more prosperous and peaceful future for all humanity. In this great historical process, we must persist in respecting civilizational diversity, broadly promote equal dialogue, and foster inclusive development. Only in this way can we find consensus in a complex world, enhance understanding and trust, resolve contradictions and differences, and push human society toward a more harmonious and beautiful tomorrow. This is not only the historical responsibility shouldered by the Chinese nation but also the noble ideal and goal pursued by the people of the whole world.
Source: Study Times (Xuexi Shibao) January 17, 2025 Web Editor: Hui Hui