Zhao Fuke and Wan Qihui: A Three-Dimensional Inquiry into Xi Jinping’s Cultural Thought Promoting the Progress of Human Civilization
"The Chinese nation possesses a continuous history of civilization spanning more than five thousand years; it has created an expansive and profound Chinese culture and made indelible contributions to the progress of human civilization." [1]234 Xi Jinping Thought on Culture constitutes the cultural chapter of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It not only manifests a distinct Chinese standpoint and national character but also demonstrates a sense of responsibility to "seek progress for humanity and the Great Harmony for the world." [2]18 At present, with the deepening development of global informatization and globalization, the integration and mutual learning between civilizations have taken on a brand-new developmental paradigm. How to maintain one's own cultural subjectivity [1] amidst cultural interactions, and how to make greater contributions to promoting world modernization and the progress of human civilization, are vital propositions within Xi Jinping Thought on Culture. Based on a scientific grasp of the characteristics and developmental laws of human civilization and a profound revelation of its future trends, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture both upholds the Chinese cultural standpoint and cultural subjectivity and promotes exchange, integration, and mutual learning among different world civilizations. It provides Chinese wisdom for the development of human society and the progress of human civilization, answering the question of our times—"where is human society headed?"—with an original Chinese solution, providing a powerful ideological weapon and a scientific guide for action for world progress and the leap of human civilization.
I. The Internal Basis for Xi Jinping Thought on Culture to Promote the Progress of Human Civilization
As history transforms into world history, the cultural development of various nations has gradually transcended regional limitations; "the intellectual creations of individual nations become common property," [3]35 demonstrating a global cultural force. Standing at a new historical starting point, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture—within a comprehensive horizon of tradition and modernity, the national and the global—scientifically grasps the characteristics and developmental laws of human civilization. It profoundly reveals the developmental trends of human civilization, providing a way to respond to the complex common challenges faced by all countries and offering a theoretical framework for continuously advancing the modernization process of human civilization.
(1) Xi Jinping Thought on Culture scientifically grasps the characteristics and developmental laws of human civilization
With the deepening of globalization, the interdependence and mutual influence between different civilizations are intensifying. The development of human civilization is no longer isolated but is interlinked and co-evolving. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, facing the new trend of interaction, integration, and collision among various ideologies and cultures worldwide, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has gained profound insight into and scientifically grasped the characteristics and internal developmental laws of human civilization. This has provided cultural support for strengthening exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations and promoting the progress of human civilization.
First, it has scientifically grasped the law-governed characteristic of the unity of civilizational diversity and identity. Civilization does not develop in a unidirectional, linear fashion but advances through the dialectical interaction between diversity and identity. On the one hand, "diversity is an objective reality that will exist for a long time." [4]460 Different geographical environments, historical backgrounds, and modes of production and life have collectively shaped civilizational forms with their own characteristics and markers, constructing a landscape of world civilizations where many elements coexist. Civilizational diversity contains the potential value to drive the deepening of human social interaction and the continuous progress of civilization, providing broad choices and developmental space for human civilization. On the other hand, the identity of civilization is reflected in the consistency of human aspirations for a better life and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. Xi Jinping pointed out that "histories, cultures, systems, and levels of development vary from country to country," [5]492 but "peace and development are our common cause, equity and justice are our common ideal, and democracy and freedom are our common pursuit." [5]543 Xi Jinping Thought on Culture elucidates the internal law-governed quality of the unity of civilizational diversity and identity. It emphasizes respecting the diversity in the development and evolution of various national civilizations while profoundly grasping the identity in the development of human civilization, providing a correct conceptual guide for coalescing a consensus on human values and jointly building a better world.
Second, it has scientifically grasped the law-governed characteristic of the unity of civilizational subjectivity and openness. On the one hand, the subjectivity of a civilization is the self-awareness and self-shaping capacity it displays during its development; it is the internal basis for a civilization to stand firm and go far. Xi Jinping emphasized: "With cultural subjectivity, we have a firm sense of self in a cultural sense, and cultural confidence has a fundamental reliance." [6]9 On the other hand, "openness and inclusiveness have always been the source of vitality for civilizational development." [6]10 It is precisely by virtue of its open and inclusive character that Chinese civilization has been able to remain continuous and be renewed over time. Subjectivity is the foundation of openness, and openness is the developmental requirement of subjectivity. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture profoundly observes the law of the integrated symbiosis of civilizational subjectivity and openness. It advocates that in the process of civilizational development, one must both uphold subjectivity—demonstrating a high degree of subjective consciousness and cultural confidence to ensure the spiritual independence of one's own civilization amidst the tide of modernization—and maintain a broad mind of openness and inclusiveness. It advocates for reciprocal exchange and mutual learning, absorbing the achievements of other civilizations through critical engagement and integrative innovation, so that one's own civilization can continuously adapt to the evolution of world history and the needs of civilizational renewal, achieving a more prosperous state of development.
Third, it has scientifically grasped the law-governed characteristic of the unity of civilizational continuity and innovativeness. Xi Jinping emphasized: "For civilization to endure, it needs both to be passed down through the generations and to break new ground by following the trends of the times." [7]8 Continuity and innovativeness are indispensable qualities for the shared prosperity and vitality of human civilization, as well as internal requirements for its development. On the one hand, adhering to civilizational continuity means accumulating civilizational achievements. Modern human civilization is not a "peak that flew in from afar" [2] created out of thin air, but an organic continuation and innovative transformation of traditional civilization. Passing down the excellent civilizational achievements created by predecessors is the basic premise for the innovative reconstruction of world civilization. On the other hand, adhering to civilizational innovativeness revitalizes civilization. Innovation is the lasting driver for the unceasing life of civilization. In a new era of interaction and collision between diverse civilizations, a lack of innovative thinking and a stubborn adherence to old ways will seriously hinder the modernization process of civilization. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture scientifically grasps the unity of continuity and innovativeness, emphasizing that civilizational development must uphold the fundamentals and break new ground. It must both inherit civilizational genes and excellent civilizational achievements to provide a solid cultural foundation and deep historical backing for continued development, and continuously blaze new trails so that human civilization radiates new vigor and vitality as the era progresses.
(2) Xi Jinping Thought on Culture profoundly reveals the developmental trends of human civilization
Today's world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, with multiple challenges and crises intertwined and superimposed. Theories such as the "clash of civilizations" and "civilizational superiority" have resurfaced. "The developmental landscape and evolution of world culture and human civilization are also undergoing adjustment and reshaping." [8]3 Humanity stands at a crossroads of history, facing the question of our times: "where is human society headed?" Xi Jinping examines the current state and evolutionary trends of global civilizational exchange and collision from a broad historical perspective. He emphasizes that "one cannot have their body in the 21st century while their head remains stuck in the old era of Cold War mentality and zero-sum games," [9]354 profoundly revealing the developmental trend of exchange, mutual learning, and harmonious coexistence [3] among human civilizations, providing spiritual guidance for promoting the modernization process of human society.
Exchange and mutual learning are important drivers for the progress of human civilization and represent the mainstream trend of its development. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Promoting exchange, integration, and mutual learning among various human civilizations is the only way to make the world more beautiful and the lives of people in all countries better." [2]278 Every civilization contains unique wisdom and value; through exchange and mutual learning, unprecedented creativity and innovative ideas are sparked. Today, the deep-seated adjustments in the international landscape have triggered collisions and conflicts between civilizations, making deep dialogue and exchange among diverse civilizations an urgent necessity. In view of this, Xi Jinping has proposed a series of important expositions on promoting exchange and mutual learning among civilizations, noting that "equal exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations will provide powerful spiritual guidance for humanity to solve the problems of the times and achieve common development." [8]102 Deepening exchange and mutual learning requires both upholding one's own cultural subjectivity and discarding cultural prejudice and feelings of superiority. It requires an open vision and a broad mind to strengthen exchange and cooperation with other civilizations, continuously expanding and enriching the connotations of human civilization, and promoting the prosperity and development of human civilization through both internal growth and external connection, adding spiritual strength to the realization of a vision of civilizations where "all appreciate each other's beauty" [4].
Harmonious coexistence (hehé gòngshēng) is the goal and pursuit of human civilizational progress. "Mutual respect, solidarity in times of difficulty, and harmonious coexistence are the correct paths for the development of human civilization." [8]102 Xi Jinping’s depiction of the beautiful vision for world civilization completely rejects the narrow nationalist view of culture and breaks through the understandings of "Western-centrism" and "the superiority of capitalist civilization." The progress of human civilization is achieved neither through the forced assimilation by one civilization nor through hegemonic rule over others to reach a destination of global civilizational uniformity; nor is it achieved by overemphasizing the heterogeneity of civilizations and weakening the basis for cooperation. Instead, civilizational progress is manifested in the harmonious coexistence and integrated development of diverse civilizations—allowing one's own civilization to flourish while creating conditions for the development of others, achieving both civilizational self-transcendence and common development. Xi Jinping integrates the "Hehe" (harmony and convergence) thought from fine traditional Chinese culture into the exchange and development of world civilizations, rejecting the confrontational logic of zero-sum games and insisting on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits to build a new development pattern. This aims to effectively address challenges such as developmental imbalances and governance dilemmas through a strategy of peaceful development, promoting diverse civilizations to reach the ideal realm of harmonious coexistence through the "Hehe" way.
II. The Manifestations of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture in Promoting the Progress of Human Civilization
The international civilizational order operating under the dominance of developed Western countries carries a strong color of Western hegemony. This not only restricts the balanced development of world civilizational diversity but also exacerbates conflicts and confrontations between civilizations. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture comprehensively transcends the narrow position of Western "universal values" and the "illusory community" [5], proposing brand-new value concepts, discourse systems, and theoretical paradigms. It establishes a pioneering ideological construction and paradigmatic leadership for the progress of human civilization.
(1) Providing new value concepts for the coexistence of world civilizations
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture critically transcends the narrow perceptions of "civilizational superiority" and the "clash of civilizations," providing value concepts for the coexistence of world civilizations that are entirely distinct from the distorted values of capitalism. It provides important value guidance for the people of the world to work together to build a "world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and cleanliness and beauty." [5]48
First, it contains the public value concept of "the world belongs to all" (tiānxià wéi gōng). Xi Jinping Thought on Culture inherits the value gene of "benefiting the world for the public good" from fine traditional Chinese culture. On this basis, it creatively proposed "the common values of all humanity," which transcend ideological and cultural differences to provide a value consensus for the coexistence of world civilizations. The new form of human civilization [6] constructed under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is absolutely heterogeneous compared to capitalist civilization—which satisfies its own needs by sacrificing or even harming the interests of other nations and states. It adheres to the value perception of "helping the whole world when one is successful" [7], pursuing the prosperous development of its own civilization while marching hand-in-hand with the people of all countries to jointly create and protect our shared civilizational home.
Second, it contains the pro-people value concept of "putting the people first." As a form of socialist culture, the practical subject and fundamental driving force of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture is the people. The essential attribute of socialism determines its value orientation of putting the people first. Compared to the instrumental rationality of capitalist culture, which "prioritizes profit" and dissolves human life requirements to satisfy economic interests, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture respects the subjective status of the masses and safeguards the common interests of all humanity, completely rejecting the distorted values of the bourgeoisie. The series of development concepts proposed by Xi Jinping—such as the new development philosophy, common prosperity, and the community with a shared future for humanity—all reflect the spirit of people’s subjectivity carried by Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, manifesting a clear value concept of "people first" and providing important value guidance for the coexistence of world civilizations.
Third, it contains the enterprising value concept of "staying alert to danger in times of peace" (jū’ān sīwēi). Xi Jinping pointed out: "By 'acting before things happen and governing before chaos arises,' we ensure our Party remains forever invincible." [10]13 In the New Era, with a forward-looking strategic vision, Xi Jinping has comprehensively examined the living environment and developmental space of the world's people. He deeply realizes that the peace deficit, development deficit, security deficit, and governance deficit are already severe challenges commonly faced by the development of world civilization. He calls on people of all countries to maintain awareness of potential hardships and bottom-line thinking, always maintaining the spirit of historical initiative to respond to changes, nurture new opportunities, and open new frontiers.
Fourth, it contains the vitalistic value concept of "the unity of heaven and humanity" [8]. This concept encapsulates a philosophy of existence defined by the oneness of all things, harmonious co-existence, and pluralistic symbiosis. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture draws upon the intellectual essence of this value, discarding the oppositional views of nature found in capitalist civilization—such as "man legislates for nature" or "man is the measure of all things." Learning from the lessons of the capitalist ecological crisis, it integrates the concept of harmonious co-existence between humanity and nature into the construction of the global governance system. With the moral responsibility of a major power, China joins hands with all nations to build a clean and beautiful world, providing Chinese wisdom for solving global ecological challenges.
(2) Providing a New Discourse System for Exchanges Among World Civilizations
Theory is the precursor to action, and discourse is the expression of theory. Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must innovate our methods of external discourse, study the habits and characteristics of different foreign audiences, and use concepts, categories, and expressions that connect China and the world, combining what we want to say with what foreign audiences want to hear" [18]. Only in this way can we effectively enhance the efficacy of exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations. The Chinese communists, with Comrade Xi Jinping as their primary representative, have accurately grasped the spiritual core of Chinese culture and deeply integrated it with the new requirements of contemporary development. They have actively shaped new concepts, categories, and expressions that possess national characteristics, a global vision, and contemporary value, thereby contributing a discourse system to the integration of world civilizations that possesses a unique Chinese style, Chinese spirit, and Chinese wisdom.
First, it has innovated flagship concepts and original viewpoints with global significance. Xi Jinping clearly stated: "We must be adept at refining flagship concepts and creating new concepts, categories, and expressions that are easy for the international community to understand and accept" [9]. Based on a profound reflection on the major theoretical and practical issues of human civilizational development, Xi Jinping has proposed a series of flagship concepts and original viewpoints. Among them, "a community with a shared future for humanity" and "the common values of all humanity" centrally reflect the common interests, concerns, and aspirations of people worldwide. These are leading new concepts imbued with Chinese characteristics and Chinese wisdom that effectively answer the question of the era—how to promote the symbiosis and shared prosperity of human civilizations—allowing the world to see China’s sense of responsibility and superior wisdom in civilizational exchange and global governance.
Second, it has innovated a vivid and fresh discourse narrative. Xi Jinping’s narrative on the exchange of world civilizations is vivid and vibrant, demonstrating a historical perspective that spans past and present, profound humanist literacy, and a broad global mindset. For one, he frequently cites traditional idioms and ancient poetry to demonstrate his cultural thought. For example, he used the common saying "only the wearer knows if the shoes fit" [16] to show that every country and nation should choose a development model and path suited to itself; he borrowed the line "learning alone without friends makes one ignorant and ill-informed" [9] to call for exchange and mutual learning between civilizations. Furthermore, he builds consensus by citing examples and laying out facts. When discussing mutual learning between civilizations, he uses historical examples such as the opening of the Silk Road, Xuanzang’s journey to the West for Buddhist sutras, Jianzhen’s voyage to the East [10], and Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Oceans to illustrate that valuing cultural exchange is a consistent and fine tradition of the Chinese nation. Additionally, he is skilled at using rhetorical arts to explain cultural thought in a vivid manner. He uses the terms "good neighbor, good friend, good partner" as a metaphor for friendly relations based on amity and neighborliness, and the phrase "sunlight has seven colors, and the world is also colorful" to illustrate the diversity of civilizations. These expressions are not only easy to understand and lively but are also filled with strong emotional resonance and deep cultural charm.
Third, it has innovated a confident and composed discourse style. Xi Jinping once pointed out: "At present, the international public opinion landscape is generally characterized by the West being strong and us being weak; others can speak sheer nonsense, while we often have the truth but cannot speak it out, or if we do, it doesn't spread" [20]. The root of this phenomenon lies in a lack of confidence in the discourse and culture of the Chinese narrative. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, Xi Jinping has utilized various forms such as articles, speeches, interviews, and letters on both domestic and international political stages to explain the rich connotations of Chinese culture and tell the Chinese story through a unique style of confidence, magnanimity, and composure. This confident and composed discourse style not only enhances the appeal and influence of Chinese discourse but also plays an important guiding and exemplary role in promoting the transformation of the international discourse landscape from a "center-periphery" model toward an equal dialogue between multiple subjects.
(3) Providing a New Theoretical Paradigm for the Interaction of World Civilizations
Currently, the global expansion of capitalist civilization has created a dilemma for civilizational interaction. Erroneous social trends such as protectionism, isolationism, and populism are rampant, seriously hindering the modernization process of world civilizations. In this situation, the interaction of human civilizations urgently needs to discard obsolete concepts like the Cold War mentality, reset the logic of civilizational interaction, and construct a theoretical paradigm that aligns with the common interests of the world’s people. On the basis of profoundly grasping the laws of civilizational interaction, Xi Jinping has engaged in innovative thinking on the theory of world civilizational interaction. This both transcends the narrow rhetoric of traditional Western-style civilization and breaks through the dogmatic understanding of the classical socialist model, providing a brand-new theoretical paradigm for the interaction of world civilizations.
First, it proposes that "civilizational exchange should transcend civilizational estrangement," creatively answering the question of why civilizations interact. The American scholar Huntington viewed civilizational differences as the root cause of civilizational conflict, subsequently putting forward the erroneous thesis of the "Clash of Civilizations." Xi Jinping Thought on Culture explicitly refutes the erroneous historical idealist view that civilizations must inevitably clash. It both respects the objective fact of civilizational differences and emphasizes the value orientation of civilizational equality. It advocates that all countries should resolve conflicts and estrangement through exchange and dialogue, jointly eliminate cultural barriers in real life, break through the spiritual fences restricting human interaction, and build a beautiful home characterized by pluralistic integration and "the beauty of each co-existing with the beauty of all" [11].
Second, it proposes that "mutual learning between civilizations should transcend civilizational conflict," creatively answering the question of how civilizations interact. In the civilizational narrative logic of Western hegemonism, the diversity and complexity of human civilization are simplified and ignored, and civilizational development is forced to follow the inherent templates preset by Western civilization. This not only leads to civilizational homogenization but also inevitably exacerbates international tension and conflict. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture forcefully refutes "Western-centric" rhetoric, emphasizing that every civilization has its unique contribution and value. Human civilizations should learn from one another on the basis of respect and understanding, "learning from and absorbing all the outstanding civilizational achievements of humanity with a broad mind that encompasses a hundred rivers, so as to promote the building of a better world" [9].
Third, it proposes that "civilizational inclusivity should transcend civilizational superiority," creatively answering the question of toward what end civilizations interact. In his speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, Xi Jinping emphasized: "It is stupid in perception and disastrous in practice to think that one's own race and civilization are superior and to insist on remodeling or even replacing other civilizations!" [14]. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture criticizes the limited thinking that leads civilizational interaction toward a zero-sum game and proposes a "theory of civilizational symbiosis." It requires a mindset of holistic harmony and unity rather than an individualized subject-object opposition; it requires an orderly landscape of pluralistic co-existence rather than a "law of the jungle"; and it requires inclusivity and mutual assistance between civilizations to achieve the co-existence and shared prosperity of different civilizational entities.
III. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture Provides an Original Program for Promoting the Progress of Human Civilization
With the responsibility for the "greatest interests of the nation" [12], Xi Jinping Thought on Culture has proposed original theoretical outcomes such as the "Two Combinations," the "Global Civilization Initiative," and the "creation of a new form of human civilization." It actively responds to the civilizational question of "whither human civilization?" and provides an original Chinese program for the nations of the world to join hands and move toward a "true community" through profound cultural strength.
(1) Creatively Proposing the "Two Combinations," Expanding the Practical Path for the Inheritance and Development of Human Civilization
The inheritance and development of human civilization require the guidance of correct ideas and methods. "To open up and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, the 'must-path' is to combine the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with China’s fine traditional culture" [13]. Using a macro-historical view, Xi Jinping profoundly summarized the experience of the Sinicization of Marxism and grasped the laws of the development of Chinese civilization and its evolutionary logic. He creatively proposed the major scientific thesis of the "Two Combinations," which "uses the powerful force of 'yet another liberation of the mind' [13] to drive the Chinese nation to shift completely from passivity to initiative in the choice of cultural development paths." This accelerates the vital renewal and modernized transformation of Chinese civilization through the unity of conformity to laws and conformity to purpose, providing innovative ideas and practical paths for the inheritance and development of human civilization, and offering a beneficial reference for other countries and nations to inherit and develop their own civilizations under new historical conditions.
Since the New Era, Chinese communists have persisted in deeply advancing the "Two Combinations" with a spirit of historical initiative, promoting the deep coupling, mutual enhancement, and positive interaction between the basic tenets of Marxism, China's specific realities, and China’s fine traditional culture. This has provided Chinese-path modernization with scientific truth for guidance and abundant cultural nourishment, while also providing clear methodological guidance for the modernized transformation of Chinese civilization and the inheritance and development of human civilization. First, the "Two Combinations" emphasize that civilizational inheritance and development must strengthen the foundation and consolidate the roots. The development of human civilization is not water without a source or a tree without roots; it is deeply rooted in the soil of history. In the process of cultural inheritance and development, only by being rooted in the realistic soil of one's own civilizational development and inheriting unique cultural genes can civilizational development flourish, allowing traditional civilization to radiate new vitality in modern society. Second, the "Two Combinations" emphasize that civilizational inheritance and development must open up innovative space while seizing ideological and cultural initiative. The modernized transformation of Chinese civilization has undergone a historical leap from absorption and imitation to independent exploration and then to innovative leadership. This process is also a vivid practice of Chinese communists' continuously deepening rational understanding of the laws of the "Two Combinations." By advancing the "Two Combinations," the power of Marxist truth and the value of China’s fine traditional culture are used to empower the practice of Chinese-path modernization, opening up a vast space for civilizational innovation, promoting a qualitative leap for Chinese civilization in the New Era, and creating a new form of civilization that is more open, inclusive, and innovative. Third, the "Two Combinations" emphasize that civilizational inheritance and development must consolidate cultural subjectivity. Cultural subjectivity is reflected not only in a high degree of identification with and conscious inheritance of one's own civilization but also in the ability to tolerate and integrate foreign civilizations. In the complex context of today's world where various cultures, ideas, and trends of thought collide, the inheritance and development of human civilization must deepen the "Two Combinations." In the exchange, integration, and confrontation of pluralistic civilizations, the foundation of cultural subjectivity must be further consolidated, and independent autonomy must be maintained through a high degree of cultural confidence amid mutual learning, creating a new realm of civilization where "each appreciates its own beauty, and all appreciate the beauty of each other in harmony."
(2) Creatively Proposing the "Global Civilization Initiative," Providing Intellectual Support for Building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity
As economic development globalizes and human interaction becomes universal, the interconnectedness and interdependence of countries have reached an unprecedented level of frequency and closeness, and the common characteristics of human society have become increasingly prominent. Since the New Era, Xi Jinping has followed the trend of the times, grasped the general world situation, and timely proposed the strategic vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. This vision profoundly reflects the common vision and deep expectations of the people of all nations to build an "open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity" [12], pointing out the correct path for human society to achieve coordinated development, long-term stability, and mutual learning between civilizations.
Building a community with a shared future for humanity is an exceptionally arduous and complex systemic project that requires scientific theory to guide its direction and provide methodological orientation. The “Global Civilization Initiative” (GCI) represents another Chinese solution contributed by Xi Jinping—thinking from an integrated perspective on the path forward for human civilization—to further build a community with a shared future for humanity and promote the cause of human civilizational progress. It “vividly confirms the scientific foresight of Marxism regarding the trend of mental and cultural production moving toward world history,” [30] providing profound and lasting intellectual support for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity in terms of both conceptual guidance and practical methodology.
First, the GCI advocates for respecting the diversity of world civilizations, emphasizing equality and mutual learning between different civilizations, and encouraging countries to carry out cultural exchanges and cooperation on the basis of mutual respect; this defines the basic prerequisite for building a community with a shared future for humanity. Second, the GCI advocates for promoting the common values of all humanity, emphasizing the need to “understand different civilizations’ perceptions of the connotations of values with a broad mind, and respect the explorations of people in different countries into pathways for realizing those values,” [18]492 which clarifies the value principles for building a community with a shared future for humanity. Third, the GCI advocates for valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, encouraging countries to persist in their own unique cultural genes and historical traditions while continuously breaking new ground in combination with the characteristics of the times; this defines the requirements of the era for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity. Fourth, the GCI advocates for strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, committing to the establishment of open and inclusive platforms for cultural exchange. By using culture as a vehicle to convey principles, voices, and transformative influence [14], it promotes the integration of cultures and the bonding of hearts [15] between the peoples of all nations, thereby laying a feasible practical path for building a community with a shared future for humanity. To ensure that the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity always advances steadily along the correct track, we must profoundly understand and highly value the unique significance of the GCI for the common development of human society and promote its effective implementation in an all-round way. Meanwhile, we must deeply draw from the rich cultural nourishment provided by the GCI for building a community with a shared future for humanity, thereby consolidating the cultural foundation for its joint construction.
(3) Creatively proposing the “creation of a new form of human civilization,” contributing a brand-new choice to break through the predicament of human civilizational development.
Civilization is a concentrated manifestation of the state of development and progress of human society. Its form is not fixed or immutable, but rather presents a dynamic evolutionary process from low to high, and from old to new. In the process of world modernization, Western civilization—with the logic of capital at its core—relied on its “first-mover advantage” to become the sole template for the modernizing transformation of many late-developing countries, regulating a mono-linear evolutionary course of human civilizational development. Although capitalist modernization brought unprecedented material prosperity, it also caused human civilization to fall into deep and complex dilemmas due to its inherent “paradox of modernity.” The increasingly severe objective situation indicates that the existing Western civilization is not the only way to lead humanity toward modern civilization; it will inevitably be replaced by a brand-new form of civilization.
“The best inheritance of history is to create new history, and the greatest tribute to human civilization is to create a new form of human civilization.” [19]12 On the basis of grasping the laws governing the development of human civilization, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture creatively proposed the “creation of a new form of human civilization,” providing an important solution for alleviating or breaking through the contemporary dilemmas of geopolitical conflict, developmental imbalance, systemic failure, and value confusion. The new form of human civilization nurtured in the practice of Chinese-path modernization achieves a historical transcendence of the capitalist modernization model from the dimensions of civilizational logic, development, and characteristics, opening a new prospect for the modernization of human civilization with its increasingly apparent civilizational advantages.
First, in terms of civilizational logic, it transcends the “logic of capital” with the “logic of the people.” The new form of human civilization follows the value principle of “people first,” [16] consistently maintaining a firm people’s standpoint and taking the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people as the highest standard for modernization, thereby achieving a critical transcendence over Western civilization centered on the logic of capital. Second, in terms of civilizational development, it transcends the one-dimensional pursuit of “material interests” with the coordinated development of material and spiritual civilizations. Xi Jinping emphasized the need to “correctly handle the relationship between material and spiritual civilization with a dialectical, comprehensive, and balanced view.” [31]324 The new form of human civilization values both the cultivation of the material foundation for modernization and the vigorous strengthening of socialist spiritual civilization. It effectively avoids the limitations of capitalist civilization’s one-sided pursuit of “material wealth” and creates a civilizational form where the “two civilizations” develop in coordination. Third, in terms of civilizational characteristics, it transcends “abstract exclusivism” with “peaceful inclusiveness.” The new form of human civilization inherits the prominent inclusiveness and peaceability of Chinese civilization. It does not impose its own values and development models on others, but advocates that developing countries should explore their own paths to modernization based on their own national realities. This breaks out of the binary opposition models such as “center-periphery,” “West-East,” or “tradition-modernity,” and effectively dispels myths such as the “clash of civilizations” or the “Thucydides Trap” [17] that plague the globe. Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, focusing on the general trend of human development, creatively proposes the “creation of a new form of human civilization” and continues to deepen and expand its civilizational significance in the practice of advancing Chinese-path modernization. This completely shatters the traditional cognitive framework that equates modernization with Westernization, explores a brand-new civilizational practice for the development of human society, and injects a powerful cultural force into reshaping a pattern of human civilizational development defined by pluralistic symbiosis and the sketching of a new prospect for the diversity of human civilization.
Conclusion
Xi Jinping Thought on Culture possesses a strong problem-orientation and distinct practical characteristics. It not only scientifically answers new questions regarding the developmental direction of Chinese civilization under new historical conditions but also provides profound insights and practical solutions for the major subject of “where is human civilization headed?” In the New Era and on the new journey, the complexity and volatility of the external environment have become increasingly prominent—particularly as the trend of intersection and collision between different thoughts and cultures worldwide grows more intense. Xi Jinping has pointed out with great foresight: “To respond to common challenges and move toward a better future, we need the power of economy, science, and technology, but we also need the power of culture and civilization.” [20]2 Therefore, we must take Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as our guide, shoulder our new cultural mission, and sketch a grand blueprint for cultural construction with firm theoretical self-awareness and cultural confidence. In the process of integration and interaction between China and the world, we must not only focus on the prosperity and development of our own civilization but should also keep in mind the overall situation of the common well-being of all humanity, contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the progress of human civilization and injecting powerful cultural strength into the accelerated process of modernizing human society.