CPC Party Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences: Deeply Grasping the Historical Significance and Contemporary Value of the Prominent Characteristics of Chinese Civilization

At the meeting on cultural inheritance and development, General Secretary Xi Jinping comprehensively, systematically, and profoundly revealed that Chinese文明 (civilization) possesses prominent continuity, prominent innovativeness, prominent unity, prominent inclusiveness, and prominent peacefulness. Employing the scientific methods of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, and standing at the strategic height of the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era, the General Secretary’s important discourse represents a profound understanding of the laws governing the development of Chinese civilization and a profound disclosure of its inherent qualities. This not only possesses significant historical meaning but, more importantly, carries powerful value for our times, requiring our deep understanding and mastery.

The “five prominent characteristics” are a profound grasp of the laws of development of Chinese civilization

Throughout the long course of history, the Chinese nation, with the determination and will to constantly strive for self-improvement ^[1], has traversed a developmental path distinct from other civilizations in the world. General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: “Why has the Chinese nation been able to survive tenaciously and develop continuously through the long river of thousands of years of history? A very important reason is that our nation possesses a spiritual pursuit, spiritual character, and spiritual lineage passed down in an unbroken line.” The “five prominent characteristics” fully manifest the inherent qualities of Chinese civilization as passed down through this continuous lineage.

Chinese civilization is the only great civilization in the world to have developed continuously to the present day in the form of a state, possessing prominent continuity. The Chinese nation has a history of humanity spanning one million years, a history of culture spanning ten thousand years, and a history of civilization spanning more than five thousand years. It has formed a unique and profound system of values and civilization. Excellent elements of traditional Chinese thought and culture, including Confucianism, have played an extremely important role in the formation and continuous development of Chinese civilization for millennia without interruption; in the formation and consolidation of the great family of the Chinese multi-ethnic community of harmony and unity; and in the formation and enrichment of the Chinese national spirit. History fully proves that Chinese civilization possesses cultural subjectivity ^[2] and vigorous vitality, allowing it to develop itself, respond to challenges, and open up new horizons. Deep feelings for home and country and a profound historical consciousness have laid the psychological foundation for the Chinese nation to maintain Grand Unity ^[3], becoming the spiritual pillar for the continuous rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through countless hardships and dangers. The continuity of Chinese civilization is by no means a simple summation of accidental historical phenomena, nor is it the stagnation of civilization; rather, it is the passing of culture from one generation to the next and the weeding out of the old to bring forth the new ^[4], representing a high degree of unity between the wholeness of civilization and its developmental stages.

Chinese civilization is one of discarding the outdated in favor of the new, advancing with the times, and constant self-improvement, possessing prominent innovativeness. Innovation is the source of a civilization’s progress. A civilization without innovation is a pool of stagnant water, and a civilization without the capacity for continuous innovation cannot endure. The fundamental reason why Chinese civilization has been able to remain evergreen in the garden of world civilizations lies in its innovativeness. The spirit of pursuing the idea that "if you can renovate yourself one day, do so from day to day; yea, let there be daily renovation" ^[5] is a core concept of Chinese civilization. The Commentary on the Yi ^[6] states: "Ge (Revolution/Change) means removing the old; Ding (The Cauldron/Establishment) means taking up the new." Discarding the outdated in favor of the new means clearing away the old to arrange the new. The pursuit of self-improvement is the spiritual character of Chinese civilization. The Commentary on the Yi says: "As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman strive for self-improvement." This spirit has continuously driven Chinese civilization to succeed itself in material, institutional, and cultural forms, creating one peak of civilization after another.

Chinese civilization is a "plurality in unity," inwardly cohesive, and characterized by solidarity and centralized "Grand Unity," possessing prominent unity. Political, cultural, and psychological identification are prominent reflections of a nation’s cultural subjectivity, and the pursuit of the "Grand Unity" concept is a core component of Chinese cultural subjectivity. Over five thousand years, Chinese civilization gradually formed the "Grand Unity" ideology of "the same wind across the six directions, and one thread through the nine provinces" ^[7]. The concept of Grand Unity, originating in the pre-Qin period, was transformed into political practice after the Qin and Han dynasties. This concept of governance and institutional design gained broad recognition throughout thousands of years of political processes. Institutions such as "affairs are decided in the four quarters, but the pivot is at the center" and "standardized gauges for wheels, a unified script for writing, and shared ethical norms for conduct" ^[8] effectively maintained the stability of the unified multi-ethnic state. History has proven time and again that national unity is the prerequisite for national prosperity and development, while division can only bring disaster to the people and regression to history. Of course, the unity of Chinese civilization does not mean the elimination of cultural diversity. Within the political framework of Grand Unity, the Chinese culture created jointly by all ethnic groups manifests in diverse and colorful forms.

Chinese civilization is one of multifaceted convergence, inclusiveness, and open exchange, possessing prominent inclusiveness. The inclusiveness of a civilization is a manifestation of its great breadth of mind—like the ocean receiving all rivers—and the fundamental basis for its continuous growth by absorbing rich nutrients. Chinese civilization grew out of a historical environment where multiple ethnic groups coexisted. The history of the Chinese nation’s growth is a history of the convergence of diverse ethnic cultures. Chinese culture has always used commonly recognized classics, rituals, morality, and history to cohere the national community. Very early in history, China had its own esteemed Confucian thought and indigenous religions, yet it did not reject foreign ideas and religions. Various foreign religions and ideas found space for development on Chinese soil; they ultimately enriched the spiritual world of the Chinese nation through Sinicization and localization, becoming an integral part of Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization is open to the world and inclusive: the opening of the Silk Road, the introduction of foreign crops, the eastward transmission of Buddhism, Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Oceans, and the gradual dissemination of Western learning to the East ^[9] all demonstrate that the Chinese nation has fully absorbed the excellence of other nations at material and spiritual levels, while simultaneously spreading excellent traditional Chinese culture to surrounding regions and even more distant lands. "Having tolerance, one's virtue becomes great." Chinese civilization, with great virtue, sustains all things ^[10], shaping a character that embraces all with a broad mind.

Chinese civilization advocates for the unity of the group and the self, calling for "harmony through communication," "symbiotic progress," and "preserving great harmony," possessing prominent peacefulness. "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you"; "Now the man of perfect virtue, wishing to be established himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to be enlarged himself, he seeks also to enlarge others." ^[11] Chinese civilization advocates constructing a world where the group and the self are unified through a moral order, emphasizing others in interpersonal relationships, which reflects a spirit of collectivism. Chinese civilization advocates harmony through communication and opposes isolation; it advocates symbiotic progress and opposes forcing others to follow oneself; it advocates preserving great harmony and opposes the "law of the jungle." The Chinese nation has always been a peace-loving nation. Since ancient times, Chinese people have esteemed peaceful ideas such as "harmony among all nations," "holding onto benevolence and being good to neighbors is a treasure of the state," "all within the four seas are brothers," "a close neighbor is better than a distant relative," "wishing one’s neighbors well just as one wishes oneself well," and "even if a state is large, it will perish if it loves war." China has never identified with the "theory that a strong country must seek hegemony." There is no gene for seeking hegemony or playing the bully in the blood of the Chinese people; the thought of loving peace is deeply embedded in the spiritual world of the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Throughout history, the reason the Chinese nation has held a position and influence in the world is not because of militarism or external expansion, but because of the powerful appeal and attraction of Chinese culture. Our ancestors realized long ago that 'if people from afar do not submit, one must cultivate civil virtue to attract them.' In explaining the attributes, characteristics, and spirit of the Chinese nation, conquering people through virtue and transforming people through culture ^[12] are very important aspects."

Accurately grasping the “five prominent characteristics” and profoundly understanding the historical inevitability of the “Second Integration”

The “five prominent characteristics” are a profound grasp of the laws governing the development of Chinese civilization. The distillation of these characteristics represents a deep understanding of the essence of Chinese civilization, signaling that our Party’s historical confidence and cultural confidence have reached new heights, and that our Party’s consciousness in promoting cultural innovation while inheriting excellent traditional Chinese culture has reached new heights. The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with excellent traditional Chinese culture is inseparable from the prominent characteristics of the latter. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, without the five thousand years of Chinese civilization, where would "Chinese characteristics" come from? And if it were not for these Chinese characteristics, how could we have the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that we have today?

The “five prominent characteristics” are a full affirmation of the historical status of excellent traditional Chinese culture. The summary of these characteristics is a scientific synthesis of the history of Chinese civilization and a high affirmation of the contemporary value of excellent traditional Chinese culture, allowing for a brand-new understanding of it, which will surely provide a powerful push for the “Second Integration.” Marxism is a scientific theory, but there are no ready-made answers for whether or how it can be integrated with excellent traditional Chinese culture. Globally, how to handle the relationship between tradition and modernity remains a difficult problem faced by many countries. Since the beginning of the modern era, the turbulent fate of the Chinese nation profoundly affected the historical fate of Chinese culture. Some people attributed the causes of modern China’s backwardness and subjection to attack entirely to culture, completely negating traditional culture and advocating for total Westernization; others adopted a "carving a mark on the boat to find a lost sword" ^[13] approach to traditional culture, stubbornly clinging to the old and broken. Both extreme attitudes, fundamentally speaking, failed to use scientific theory as a guide to analyze and view traditional culture. Since its founding, the Communist Party of China has been both a proactive leader and practitioner of advanced Chinese culture and a loyal inheritor and promoter of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Our Party has always valued the historical value of excellent traditional Chinese culture and has always adhered to the developmental path of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, using the power of Marxist truth to activate the ancient Chinese civilization. Particularly since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has raised the understanding of excellent traditional Chinese culture to an unprecedented height, integrating socialism with Chinese characteristics with the five-thousand-plus years of Chinese civilization. This has opened up a more expansive and far-reaching historical depth for socialism with Chinese characteristics, expanded the cultural foundations of its path, and allowed excellent traditional Chinese culture to shine with dazzling brilliance in the New Era.

The “five prominent characteristics” are a scientific summation of the important elements of excellent traditional Chinese culture. Excellent traditional Chinese culture contains many important elements that jointly shape the prominent characteristics of Chinese civilization, which in turn lay an important foundation for the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with excellent traditional Chinese culture. Chinese civilization carries forward the past and opens up the future, discarding the outdated for the new; changes in dynastic succession did not block the continuous lineage of culture, and the continuity, innovativeness, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness of Chinese civilization have displayed different facets in different historical periods. After the Opium War, Chinese civilization suffered unprecedented trauma—the country was humiliated, the people suffered, and the civilization was covered in dust—but this did not mean Chinese civilization was interrupted. Modern China attempted many different paths, but practice proved that only Marxism best fit China's reality. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Marxism and excellent traditional Chinese culture have different sources, but they possess a high degree of compatibility." The simple materialist view in excellent traditional Chinese culture that acknowledges the materiality of the world, the simple dialectical view that emphasizes the transformation of opposites, the practical view that values the unity of knowledge and action ^[14], the view of Grand Harmony ^[15] that pursues the public good for all under heaven, and the people-centered view that emphasizes the historical role of the masses—all of these are compatible with the Marxist worldview, dialectics, view of social development, and view of the masses. These provide rich ideological and cultural nourishment for the “Second Integration.”

The “five prominent characteristics” are a profound grasp of the experience and wisdom of state governance within excellent traditional Chinese culture. The “five prominent characteristics” are scientific understandings derived from the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with excellent traditional Chinese culture, and they also provide practical guidance for this integration. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, opening up and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics on the profound foundation of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization makes the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with excellent traditional Chinese culture the "mandatory path." This is a law-based understanding we have reached in exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The prerequisite for "integration" is mutual compatibility; the result of "integration" is mutual achievement, creating a new, organically unified cultural life-form; "integration" has fortified the foundation of our path; "integration" has opened up space for innovation; and "integration" has consolidated cultural subjectivity. Therefore, the integration of Marxism with excellent traditional Chinese culture is not only an integration at the ideological level but also at the practical level. Chinese civilization formed its own unique concepts of governance and institutional practices very early, and these have been passed down through generations without interruption. Thus, we see a unique historical phenomenon: many dynasties in Chinese history succeeded each other or coexisted, yet the governance system was neither interrupted nor fractured, nor did each part go its own way; rather, it displayed a high degree of homogeneity, endogeneity, and continuity. Therefore, we must profoundly grasp the connotations of the "five prominent characteristics" of Chinese civilization, base ourselves on the great historical and contemporary practices of the Chinese nation, and explore future-oriented theoretical and institutional innovations.

Profoundly understand the value for the times of the “five prominent characteristics” and better shoulder the new cultural mission of the New Era.

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Only by comprehensively and deeply understanding the history of Chinese civilization can we more effectively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, more powerfully advance the building of a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, and build a modern Chinese civilization." The "five prominent characteristics" constitute a highly condensed exposition of the history of Chinese civilization, possessing significant practical value for advancing the building of a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics and building a modern Chinese civilization.

Firmly grasp the prominent continuity of Chinese civilization and unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "The continuity of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that the Chinese nation must follow its own path. If one does not understand China from its long historical continuity, it is impossible to understand ancient China, impossible to understand modern China, and even more impossible to understand the China of the future." The continuity of Chinese civilization is a basic fact of China's national conditions; today's China has evolved and inherited its form from the China of history. The General Secretary emphasized: "There is no single model of political system in the world. Political systems cannot be judged in the abstract, divorced from specific socio-political conditions and historical-cultural traditions; they cannot be fixed to a single standard, and foreign political system models cannot be mechanically applied." Furthermore, "In designing and developing a national political system, one must focus on the organic unity of history and reality, theory and practice, and form and content. We must persist in proceeding from national conditions and reality, grasping not only the long-formed historical heritage but also the developmental path traveled, the political experience accumulated, and the political principles formed. We must also grasp realistic requirements and focus on solving practical problems. We cannot sever history, nor can we imagine a 'Peak Flown from Afar' ^[16] of a political system suddenly appearing out of nowhere." Socialism with Chinese characteristics is the dialectical unity of the theoretical logic of scientific socialism and the historical logic of Chinese social development. "Our unique cultural tradition, unique historical destiny, and unique basic national conditions have destined us to follow a developmental path suited to our own characteristics." This path is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and it is also the fundamental path that must be followed in building a modern Chinese civilization.

Firmly grasp the prominent innovativeness of Chinese civilization and persist in the enterprising spirit of upholding the fundamentals without being archaic, and respecting antiquity without being regressive. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The innovativeness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation to uphold the fundamentals without being archaic and respect antiquity without being regressive, as well as the fearless character of the Chinese nation to not fear new challenges and to bravely accept new things." "Permanence" (常 cháng) and "change" (变 biàn) are viewed in Chinese philosophy as a pair of dialectically unified concepts that form the internal and external aspects of one another. "Although Zhou is an ancient state, its mission is renewal" ^[17]. It is precisely through the prominent characteristic of continuous innovation that the continuity of Chinese civilization has composed a symphony in which the "deep flow of still water" and "magnificent waves" are intertwined. Over several millennia of history, our nation created an unparalleled institutional civilization and gave birth to rich ideas regarding national systems and governance. Institutional arrangements in Chinese history possessed long-term stability, yet this stability contained factors of continuous innovation. The concept that "departure and arrival follow an order, and change responds to the times" ^[18] guided institutional design to continuously adapt to the changing eras, promoting civilizational development and orderly social mobility. The Communist Party of China is the inheritor and promoter of the great innovative spirit of the Chinese nation. Contemporary China is undergoing the most extensive and profound social transformation in our nation's history, and is also experiencing the most magnificent and unique practical innovation in human history. We should build a modern Chinese civilization and write a new chapter for Chinese civilization with an enterprising spirit that upholds the fundamentals without being archaic and respects antiquity without being regressive, and with a fearless character that does not fear new challenges and dares to accept new things.

Firmly grasp the prominent unity of Chinese civilization, resolutely safeguard national unity, firmly oppose separatism, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The unity of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that the cultures of the various ethnic groups of the Chinese nation are integrated as one and remain firmly cohesive even in the face of major setbacks; it determines the common conviction that territory cannot be divided, the state cannot be chaotic, the nation cannot be scattered, and the civilization cannot be broken; it determines that national unity is forever the core of China's core interests; and it determines that a strong and unified state is where the destiny of all ethnic groups lies." In the long river of China's several thousand years of history, unity has been the mainstream, the direction of historical development, and the aspiration of the broad masses of the people. The unity of Chinese civilization stems from its unified economic and cultural foundation. The prominent characteristic of the unity of Chinese civilization is a precious historical legacy. It played a positive role historically and possesses immense practical significance for our advancement of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics and the building of a modern Chinese civilization today. We should draw precious resources from the unity of Chinese civilization to forge a sense of community for the Chinese nation and build a strong cultural foundation for the common conviction of maintaining national unity and resolutely opposing separatism.

Firmly grasp the prominent inclusiveness of Chinese civilization and persist in pluralistic inclusion, eclectic assimilation, and open exchange. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The inclusiveness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the historical orientation of communication, exchange, and integration among the ethnic groups of the Chinese nation; it determines the harmonious pattern of coexistence among China's diverse religious beliefs; and it determines the open-mindedness of Chinese culture toward the eclectic assimilation of world civilizations." Chinese civilization continues in its inclusiveness, innovates in its inclusiveness, and unifies in its inclusiveness; inclusiveness has always expanded the broad horizon of Chinese civilization. Inclusiveness is a form of convergence. The Chinese nation has always viewed other civilizations with an open and inclusive attitude, and has always constructed its own unique national spirit through inward self-restraint and outward open exchange. Inclusiveness is coexistence; inclusiveness is openness. Viewed from a macro-historical perspective of several millennia, opening up to the outside world is the mainstream and trend of the Chinese nation. Since ancient times, the Chinese nation has carried out foreign ethnic interactions and cultural exchanges with a confident and generous breadth of mind characterized by "Great Harmony under Heaven" ^[19] and "harmony among all nations." This composed the magnificent long song of the Silk Road, symbolized by the "sounds of camel bells and waves across ten thousand miles," and created the flourishing Tang Dynasty atmosphere where "the robes and crowns of ten thousand nations met in Chang'an." We should uphold openness and inclusiveness, strengthen foreign interaction and exchange with a broad and inclusive heart, and demonstrate to the world the eclectic and open spirit of the Chinese nation.

Firmly grasp the prominent peacefulness of Chinese civilization, and be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The peacefulness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines that China will always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order; it determines that China will continuously pursue civilizational exchange and mutual learning rather than cultural hegemony; it determines that China will not impose its own values and political systems on others; and it determines that China persists in cooperation rather than confrontation, and absolutely does not engage in 'siding with one's own kind to attack dissenters' ^[20] in small circles." Chinese culture is a culture that advocates for the unity of all things. The cosmological view that "the benevolent person regards Heaven, Earth, and the myriad things as one body" ^[21] determines the Chinese worldview of peace, amity, and harmony. Regarding the relationship between man and nature, Chinese culture believes that "harmony generates all things"; regarding the relationship between people, Chinese culture advocates that "harmony is to be prized"; regarding the relationship with oneself, Chinese culture emphasizes "attaining central harmony." Chinese culture does not advocate for an unprincipled "harmony," but rather "harmony without uniformity," respecting differences while embracing diversity. The prominent characteristic of the peacefulness of Chinese civilization provides Chinese wisdom for building world peace, promoting global development, and maintaining international order. Dialogue rather than opposition, exchange rather than isolation, cooperation rather than confrontation, consultation rather than imposition, and construction rather than destruction should be the norms of peace followed among the world's civilizations today, as well as the basic rules for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Every civilization is rooted in the soil of its own nation, embodies the historical wisdom and spiritual pursuits of a people, and possesses its own value of existence. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the root and vein of the Chinese nation, the cultural support for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the cultural foundation for standing firm amidst the turbulence of world cultures. We must profoundly understand and grasp the "five prominent characteristics" of Chinese civilization, continuously promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, continue the historical cultural lineage, and write a contemporary masterpiece, contributing wisdom and strength to the advancement of socialist cultural construction with Chinese characteristics and the building of a modern Chinese civilization.

(The author is the Leading Party Members' Group of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)