[Explanation] The exchanges between China and the West have a long history, and the process of mutual understanding and mutual influence lasts for more than a thousand years.
In the field of public opinion in the West, China seems to have always been "two Chinas."
One is historical China and the other is contemporary China.
A few days ago, Zhang Xiping, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University and chief expert of the Institute of International Communication of Chinese Culture, pointed out in an exclusive interview with China News Service that the so-called "two Chinas" are actually one China.
The history of China’s civilization has continued to this day, and it has become an important source of wisdom for the Chinese Communist Party to govern.
[Concurrent] Zhang Xiping, Professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Chief Expert of the Institute of International Communication of Chinese Culture
After the Communist Party came to power, China was still connected with historical China.
For example, one of the core theories of the Communist Party of China is the "seeking truth from facts" on the plaque of Yuelu Academy. The "seeking truth from facts" comes from Han.
Harmony without difference has become the basic diplomatic principle of China's diplomacy today.
Civilizations learn from each other, build, discuss, and share together.
The civilization of Chinese history continues to this day and has become the main source of wisdom for the Chinese Communist Party to govern.
Historical China and contemporary China are one China. Contemporary China is not a strange country because of the difference in its national system from other countries. It is a country developed in its own historical context.
[Explanation] Zhang Xiping said that Chinese civilization is the only civilization that extends to today and is alive in human civilization.
The reason why Chinese civilization can continue to this day is due to her continuous learning of external civilization.
[Concurrent] Zhang Xiping, Professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Chief Expert of the Institute of International Communication of Chinese Culture
The Buddhist civilization comes from India, and it has an impact on our language. The "world", "present", "past" and "future" we now speak of are all the languages that Buddhism brings to us.
After the arrival of Christian civilization, it has also had a great impact on us.
"Western learning spreads to the east", Chinese people know that the earth is round, and they thought that the Chinese said "the sky is round the place."
Plane geometry was brought by Matteo Ricci. Without him, we (probably) have no geometric system.
After the reform and opening up, it formally integrated into the WTO's World Trade Organization. With the social system of the United Nations, China has returned to the world system. Both China and the West have gained huge benefits in this civilization exchange.
It should be said that the Chinese civilization has always held an attitude of tolerance and learning from foreign civilizations, and it has also nourished this civilization and made it continue to modernize.
[Explanation] Looking at the present, China is increasingly moving toward the center of the world stage. How should we interpret the modern value of Chinese traditional culture to the world?
Zhang Xiping pointed out that mutual learning among civilizations should be the way for different civilizations in the world to get along, and this is also the best solution provided by the Chinese civilization for the world today.
[Concurrent] Zhang Xiping, Professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Chief Expert of the Institute of International Communication of Chinese Culture
In the French Declaration of Human Rights, "Do not do to others what you do not want to do" is written into the declaration. It is the golden rule of human ethics as human ethics and the basic moral code of citizens.
Mencius put forward the thought of noble people, followed by the emperor, and then the society. People are the most important thought, and it also provides a very important thought (source) for us as a whole to value people today.
The Chinese civilization has survived to this day because of (out of) a way of getting along with each other among (different) civilizations.
We respect all civilizations, we respect different ideologies, but you must also respect our civilization and our ideology so that we can live together.
Mutual learning between civilizations is the way for different civilizations in today's world to get along. This is the best solution Chinese civilization provides for today's world.
Reporter Lang Jiahui An Yingzhao Yang Siyu reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Li Ji]