Xu Yanling: Accurately Grasping the Rich Connotation of "Deepening Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations"
The "15th Five-Year Plan" Outline proposes to "enhance the reach and influence of Chinese civilization" and "deepen exchange and mutual learning among civilizations." Since the dawn of the New Era, General Secretary Xi Jinping has gained profound insight into the general trend of human civilizational development, putting forward a series of important expositions centered on "deepening exchange and mutual learning among civilizations." These expositions collectively clarify the concept, motivation, vision, and path for this deepening process. Understanding and grasping the rich connotations of "deepening exchange and mutual learning among civilizations" is of significant and far-reaching importance for responding to the "questions of the world" that concern all nations and for elevating the reach and influence of Chinese civilization.
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Civilizations become colorful through exchange and rich through mutual learning. Scientific propositions put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping, such as "civilizations are colorful," "civilizations are equal," and "civilizations are inclusive," reveal the internal laws of the development of human civilization and the broad prospects for human progress.
Civilizations are colorful; human civilization possesses the value of exchange and mutual learning precisely because of its diversity. The colorfulness of civilizations is reflected in the unique charm found in the intertwining of commonalities and differences between distinct civilizations. Various countries and nations engage in the practice of production and life within specific natural environments, historical backgrounds, and epochal conditions, forming colorful cultural ecosystems. They create civilizations with their own characteristics and markers, providing rich materials and a vast space of possibility for exchange and mutual learning. Diversity is an inherent characteristic of civilization and a structural driver for its development. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "Civilizations are diverse, just as species in nature are diverse; together, they constitute the source of life on our planet." This not only guides us to face the objective existence of civilizational diversity with a rational attitude but also inspires us to see that diversity is the "source" and foundation for promoting exchange and mutual learning and achieving civilizational development. History and reality fully prove that diversity brings exchange, exchange breeds integration, and integration generates progress. Only by cherishing civilizational diversity and promoting exchange and mutual learning can we build consensus while respecting differences, thereby driving the continuous leap forward of human civilization.
Civilizations are equal; human civilization possesses the prerequisite for exchange and mutual learning because of equality. All civilizations possess equivalent status at the level of values and enjoy equal rights to development. Different civilizational achievements are merely differentiated ways of responding to the common challenges of human existence and development; there is no distinction of superior or inferior, better or worse. Consequently, they should equally enjoy opportunities for dialogue and exchange and the right to choose their own paths of development. Civilizational equality profoundly reveals the prerequisite for civilizational dialogue to occur and persist. Equality is the epistemological basis for breaking the shackles of exchange and the fundamental condition for achieving mutual learning. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Exchange and mutual learning among civilizations should not be predicated on the supremacy of one single civilization or the disparagement of another." Only by constructing norms of civilizational interaction on an equal basis can we form a civilizational order of "pluralistic symbiosis" and encourage the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations.
Civilizations are inclusive; human civilization possesses the momentum for exchange and mutual learning because of inclusiveness. Inclusiveness means accepting civilizational differences with an open mind and promoting civilizational integration through the concept of symbiosis, which carries profound meaning. It emphasizes that "the sea is inclusive of all rivers, and its greatness comes from its capacity" [1]; inclusiveness is an inherent attribute of civilization. If any civilization wishes to maintain its vitality, it must continuously enrich its own connotations through contact with heterogeneous civilizations. It emphasizes "appreciating the beauty of others and sharing beauty together while maintaining harmony in diversity" [2]; inclusiveness is the state of symbiosis for pluralistic civilizations and the foundation for their harmonious coexistence within the same time and space. It emphasizes "seeking common ground while reserving differences" [3] and "inclusive absorption"; inclusiveness is an internal requirement for self-innovation. The inclusivity of civilization is not limited to static coexistence but manifests as dynamic cultural integration and innovation. Therefore, civilizational inclusiveness is not only a profound grasp of the laws of human development but also provides inexhaustible momentum for deepening exchange and mutual learning. Only when different civilizations engage in dialogue with an inclusive mindset can they form a common pursuit of values that transcends civilizational boundaries.
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Deepening exchange and mutual learning among civilizations is rooted in the deep soil of fine traditional Chinese culture, nourished by the rich nutrients of the essence of diverse human civilizations, and tempered by the practical experience of international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. These three elements are intertwined and mutually supporting, ensuring that this process is rooted in the national soil while embracing world civilization, originating from historical accumulation while responding to the themes of the times—becoming a profound ideological guide for promoting the progress of human civilization.
Taking fine traditional Chinese culture as the foundation. The wisdom of state governance and the philosophy of social conduct accumulated by Chinese civilization are as vast as the sea, providing deep ideological mirrors and profound practical inspirations for handling relations between diverse civilizations today. As the inheritor and promoter of fine traditional Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China (CPC) draws practical wisdom from the spiritual gene pool of fine traditional Chinese culture and applies it rationally. For example, based on absorbing the ethical essence of "the exemplary person seeks harmony without uniformity" [4], the Party has formed norms for civilizational interaction centered on peaceful development and win-win cooperation, building a solid ethical foundation for the equal coexistence of different civilizations. On the basis of absorbing the political wisdom of "making the people illustrious and coordinating the myriad states" [5], the Party has constructed a value framework for international relations that "combines righteousness and profit, while putting righteousness first," providing a value coordinate for breaking the logic of hegemony in international interactions.
Taking the essence of diverse human civilizations as nourishment. The CPC insists on combining the global vision of Marxism with the open-mindedness of Chinese civilization. It has never viewed heterogeneous civilizations as antagonistic "others" [6], but rather as the common spiritual wealth of humanity. It always embraces the brilliant galaxy of diverse human civilizations with an attitude of openness and inclusiveness, integrating the essence and nutrients of different civilizations into its own spiritual texture. By absorbing the high-quality components of other civilizations, the CPC maintains confidence in its own civilization while humbly enriching the dimensions of its civilizational cognition. Consequently, through the fusion of diverse nutrients, it ensures that Chinese civilization maintains ceaseless vitality, acting as a spiritual bond connecting different civilizations and an ideological engine for human progress. The CPC adheres to equality as the basis, openness as the drive, and cooperation for win-win results. Through civilizational dialogue mechanisms, it both draws inspiration from the exchange of human civilizations to learn from others and perfect itself, and shares Chinese experience with the world, promoting a vision of civilizational development where each appreciates its own beauty, respects the beauty of others, and all share in that beauty together, providing new possibilities for the development of human civilization through its own practice.
Relying on the deepening of international people-to-people exchanges. International people-to-people exchanges provide the soil, channels, and momentum for mutual learning, serving as an important support for safeguarding civilizational diversity and solidifying common values. The vitality of civilization lies in flow and interaction. Only by tearing down "walls" and opening "channels" with an open heart can civilizational exchange escape the predicament of closed stagnation and realize the sublimation from "each appreciating its own beauty" to "sharing beauty together." The "15th Five-Year Plan" Outline proposes to "extensively carry out international people-to-people exchange and cooperation, strengthen multi-level civilizational dialogue, and promote Chinese culture to better go out to the world." Standing on the grand pattern and vision of human civilizational development, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes deepening international people-to-people exchanges by building platforms for interaction. This allows different civilizations to showcase their strengths and complement each other. By using people-to-people exchanges to break down barriers to dialogue, we can tap into the common values contained within different civilizations, reduce misunderstandings and prejudices, and strive to build emotional bonds based on understanding and respect between the peoples of different countries. From the civilizational thoroughfares trodden by camel teams on the ancient Silk Road to the work of "people-to-people connectivity" in the contemporary Belt and Road Initiative, every practical step China takes to promote international people-to-people exchange provides a broad practical field and rich realistic carriers for deepening exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.
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General Secretary Xi Jinping has accurately grasped the mainstream trends of civilizational development and systematically analyzed the deep-seated roots of civilizational estrangement, the ideological limitations of civilizational conflict, and the cognitive fallacies of civilizational superiority. He profoundly pointed out the need to "surpass civilizational estrangement through exchange, surpass civilizational conflict through mutual learning, and surpass civilizational superiority through coexistence," outlining a beautiful vision for the continued development of human civilization.
Breaking down the barriers of isolation and self-confinement, and surpassing civilizational estrangement through exchange. As the process of economic globalization accelerates, expanding communication and exchange between various countries and nations is of great significance for promoting the prosperity and development of human civilization. The civilization of a country or nation can only obtain ceaseless forward momentum through extensive exchange, interaction, and collision. If one rests on one’s laurels, indulges in self-admiration, and remains confined to an island of self-isolation, it will not only weaken the influence of that national civilization but also cause human civilization to "lose its vigor and vitality due to a lack of interaction," falling into a predicament of estrangement and stagnation. As a responsible major power, China has always been committed to promoting effective interaction and exchange between different civilizational subjects within a rational and just order, enhancing understanding and mutual trust between different countries and nations, eliminating suspicion and estrangement, and promoting benign interaction to jointly build a bridge of civilizational exchange.
Dispelling the limitations of zero-sum game thinking, and surpassing civilizational conflict through mutual learning. Currently, counter-globalization trends such as protectionism, unilateralism, and populism are surging. Some Western countries exaggerate conflicts between civilizations and promote hegemonism and power politics in an attempt to seize interests. Such actions not only undermine the existing international order but also hinder the forward development of world civilization. Learning from each other is the normal state of human civilizational development and the "golden key" to promoting cultural progress. As the only great civilization in the world that has developed continuously to this day in the form of a state, Chinese civilization has grown and strengthened precisely through the process of mutual learning with other civilizations. While maintaining its cultural subjectivity, China actively learns from the essence of different civilizations, striving to make civilizational exchange and mutual learning a driver for social progress and a bond for maintaining world peace.
Abandoning the narrow mindset of supremacy, and surpassing civilizational superiority through coexistence. Any civilizational form that has survived to this day is a collection of the collective memory and wisdom of different countries and nations. However, some Westerners propagate the "theory of civilizational superiority." From a Western standpoint, they categorize human civilizations into different grades, believing Western civilization occupies the center of world civilization. They treat Western values and development models as the gold standard, selling "universal values" from a condescending position and promoting cultural hegemonism. China opposes the idea of favoring one civilization or disparaging another. It advocates for the elimination of prejudice and hatred, adheres to the civilizational concept that "all living things should grow together without harming each other, and different paths can run parallel without interfering with one another" [7], and possesses the open-mindedness of "appreciating the beauty of others." Guided by the common values of humanity, China seeks the greatest common denominator for the development of different civilizations to promote the harmonious coexistence and prosperous development of world civilization.
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General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must practice the global governance view of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, carry forward the common values of humanity, and advocate for exchange and mutual learning between different civilizations." This important exposition, based on the objective reality of civilizational diversity, scientifically explains the necessity of "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits" in conforming to the general trend of human civilizational development. It demonstrates China's fundamental position and proactive role in promoting civilizational interaction. Among these, extensive consultation is the prerequisite, joint contribution is the core, and shared benefits are the goal. The three are dialectically unified and complementary, collectively embodying the Chinese wisdom of civilizational exchange and mutual learning and exploring a new path for human progress.
Advocating for civilizational consultation. The core of civilizational consultation lies in practicing the principle of equal consultation universally recognized by all countries, handling global affairs through joint decision-making mechanisms. On one hand, we must deepen civilizational communication on the basis of equality. Upholding the spirit of mutual respect and inclusive mutual learning, we must guarantee equality of rights, opportunities, and rules for all countries, fully respect the historical traditions and national conditions of different civilizations, and actively create platforms and innovate ways for civilizational dialogue. On the other hand, we must build civilizational mutual trust through the convergence of interests. Through consultation, we should forge a consensus on development, expand the intersection of interests, and deepen value identification with diverse civilizations. We should advocate for civilizational relations characterized by integration, mutual respect, and trust, solidifying the foundation of human civilizational consensus to form a historical force for progress.
Promoting civilizational joint contribution. The progress and prosperity of human civilization are rooted in the collaborative contribution of diverse civilizations. Joint contribution requires all subjects to proactively take responsibility while respecting diversity, expanding development space and responding to global challenges through complementary advantages and collaborative innovation. On one hand, we must deepen solidarity and cooperation. We advocate that all countries, regardless of size or strength, are participants in economic globalization. Centering on national development strategies, we should deepen policy coordination in key areas such as finance, trade, and education, promoting the formation of a multi-level, three-dimensional network of global civilizational cooperation. On the other hand, we must strengthen platform empowerment. Relying on international organizations and multilateral mechanisms such as UNESCO, BRICS, and the G20, we can build normalized and institutionalized platforms for cooperation, enabling different civilizations to share rights and responsibilities, furthering civilizational joint contribution at global and regional levels.
Realizing civilizational sharing. Civilizational sharing is based on the value consensus of consultation and the action consensus of joint contribution. It aims to promote the results of civilizational exchange and mutual learning to benefit the people of all countries more broadly and fairly. Civilizational sharing advocates for giving full play to the agency of all countries, surpassing the shackles of narrow egoism, and adhering to global multilateralism and the principles of distributive justice. By accurately aligning the development needs of all parties to seek win-win cooperation, we can achieve mutual benefit and common prosperity through pragmatic results, fundamentally reversing the trend of civilizational imbalance and confrontation to create a new type of cooperative relationship that benefits all of humanity. Following the trend of civilizational development, we should empower civilizational sharing with digital technology, deepen global digital cooperation, and share digital development opportunities. This will drive the development of global cultural industries, where the integration of these industries gives birth to new cultural forms, allowing high-quality cultural products to cross civilizational boundaries. This will continuously promote the innovative development of diverse civilizations through mutual sharing, making civilizational sharing an inexhaustible force for world prosperity and the well-being of all people.