China News Agency, Beijing, July 29th: How does the "Hehe" culture contribute governance solutions to the world?
Author Xu Qingqi Chairman of Malaysia New Asia Strategy Research Center
"Harmony" is the gene of Chinese culture, the basic concept and primary value of the humanistic spirit of the Chinese nation, and the moral, social, world and cosmology of the Chinese nation, running through individuals and families, society and the country, the world and nature.
"To seek harmony and harmony" is the spiritual realm and way of life that the Chinese nation has been pursuing for thousands of years.
Differences between Chinese and Western cultures
Different from the Western culture that highlights opposition and competition, the Chinese nation has realized from the cultural practice of continuous thousands of years that all things in the world have their differences and dissimilarities, but the emphasis is on the contention and the overlap is not important. an important driving force for the development of things.
Chinese culture emphasizes harmonious coexistence, seeking harmony while different, reserving differences and seeking common ground, while Western culture is relatively exclusive, respecting competition and opposition.
The famous British philosopher Russell once said: "The European outlook on life advocates competition, development, never peace, never contentment and destruction."
Qian Zhongshu, a famous modern Chinese writer and cultural scholar, made a vivid comparison between Chinese and Western cultures, describing Chinese culture as a "Duet" and Western culture as a "Duel".
Duets emphasize harmony, while duels emphasize confrontation.
"Harmony between man and nature" is the essence of the ecological wisdom of traditional Chinese culture, reflecting the ancient Chinese farming culture's awe for nature, and containing the primitive and simple concept of sustainable development, which believes that human and nature need to coexist in harmony.
Needham, a British historian of science and author of "History of Science and Technology in China", believes that "harmony between man and nature" is "the ancient Chinese who sought order and harmony in the whole of nature, and regarded it as the ideal of all human relations".
In 2014, the Chinese Embassy in South Africa adopted a rhino at the South African National Zoo.
The picture shows the signs with the words "Adopt wild animal cubs" and "Heaven and man are one - wisdom from ancient China 3,000 years ago" in front of the Rhino Museum.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Song Fangcan
Based on China's "harmony" culture, American scholar Fairbank once pointed out that maintaining a harmonious relationship between Westerners and Chinese needs to be based on mutual understanding, and understanding must be based on the different habits, attitudes, ideals and self-esteem of the other nation. Expression is based on understanding and appreciation.
"Harmony" highlights the value of Chinese culture
China has a long history of thousands of years. The concept of harmony is most precious, harmony is different, harmony between all nations, and the unity of man and nature have been inherited and passed down from generation to generation. They are integrated into the thinking and behavior of the Chinese nation, and are reflected in the relationship between people. , the relationship between countries, the relationship between man and the world, the relationship between man and nature, reflects the essence of Chinese culture.
However, "harmony" does not ignore the confusion and fusion of the differences of things. The premise of harmony and difference is to recognize and respect the differences and dissimilarities of all things. On this basis, seeking common ground while reserving differences and tolerant of each other is the way to achieve harmony.
In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the concept of global governance of "a community with a shared future for mankind", which is the Chinese vision of the new world order. concrete manifestation.
The concept of "heaven and earth coexist with me, and all things and me are one" and "community with a shared future for mankind" inherits and promotes the idea of "harmony between man and nature" in Chinese harmonious culture.
The Chinese nation upholds the spirit of "harmonizing all nations" to handle the relationship between countries, and believes that "all the world is brothers", "the world" has no boundaries, the world is one family, and China regards itself as a member of the world family, no matter how far or near the country is. Big and small, they are regarded as brothers, friendly and good neighbors, and live in harmony.
China's good-neighborly policy towards neighboring countries is the concrete practice of the spirit of "harmonizing all nations" in China's diplomacy.
Human beings live in the same global village, and all countries in the world are indeed a community with a shared future.
Therefore, all countries should handle international relations in the spirit of "harmonizing all nations", establish lasting peace, and adhere to win-win cooperation.
Civilizations are "harmonious but different", and they should respect each other and learn from each other. The earth is the mother of human beings, and it is necessary to follow the concept of the unity of nature and man, and the concept of Taoism and nature to find a sustainable development path.
Human beings must respect nature, conform to nature, and live in harmony with nature, and cannot develop in a destructive way.
The diversity of civilizations in the world is innate. Different countries have different histories, national conditions, ethnic groups and customs, which have nurtured different civilizations, and no civilization is superior to other civilizations.
It is undeniable that there are differences among civilizations, and the world is rich and colorful because of different civilizations. Only through exchanges and mutual learning can we build an open and inclusive harmonious world and promote the progress of mankind.
On March 2, 2022, the fire seed collection ceremony for the Beijing Winter Paralympics was held at the Temple of Heaven Park.
The picture shows torchbearer Hou Bin during the torch relay.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhao Jun
The concept of "Hehe" provides the world with Chinese wisdom
Peace and harmony are the eternal aspirations of people all over the world.
However, the world today is not very peaceful and not very harmonious.
The new crown epidemic has severely damaged the global economy, and the global economic recovery is sluggish, sounding a wake-up call to the world.
The epidemic has made all countries realize that it is impossible to deal with global crises alone, and it is even more unrealistic to deal with crises at the same time as confrontation. Only cooperation is the only way out.
Regional hotspots, local conflicts and terrorist attacks continue to occur one after another, global energy and food are also in crisis, ethnic and religious conflicts around the world are emerging one after another, and terrorist attacks and shootings are emerging one after another.
On the other hand, the disorderly development of human beings destroys nature, exacerbates global climate change, and frequent natural disasters occur.
Should the world move towards conflict or harmony?
Confrontation or cooperation?
The answer is obvious.
In today's world, harmony and cooperation are more important than ever.
Countries around the world need to carry out more constructive cooperation, which should be open, transparent, mutually beneficial and win-win, rather than beggar-thy-neighbor.
Peter Thomson, President of the 71st United Nations General Assembly, once said in an interview with the media that the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind advocated by China is "the only future for mankind on this planet".
In July 2021, workers in the reconstruction project of Beijing Fengtai Station conduct lighting and circuit debugging.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Jia Tianyong
"All things grow together without harming each other, and the Tao runs side by side without opposing each other." The concept of "harmony" in Chinese culture is becoming more and more precious in today's world under the intertwined relationship between the new crown epidemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as man-made conflicts and natural disasters. Provide Chinese wisdom for maintaining peace, promoting harmony, managing chaos, and enhancing cooperation.
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About the Author:
Xu Qingqi is currently the chairman of the New Asia Strategic Research Center, the director of the "Belt and Road" Business Center of Malaysia's Vocational Consultancy, the director of the ASEAN Research Center of the Community of Shared Future for Mankind, and the co-chairman of the International Advisory Committee of the "Belt and Road" Green Development Institute.
He has been concerned about China's political and economic development for a long time. As early as 1989, he was appointed as a special advisor by the Beijing Institute of Asian and Pacific Economic Research.
In recent years, he has conducted in-depth research on the "Belt and Road" initiative, and has given keynote speeches on the "Belt and Road" initiative in chambers of commerce, banks, investment funds, universities and international seminars at home and abroad.
He has extensive contacts with international "Belt and Road" think tanks and academic institutions, and was invited as one of the keynote speakers at the inaugural conference of the "Belt and Road" International Think Tank Cooperation Committee in April 2019.