East-West Question·Wuyi Forum | Salikyo Santam: How to use China’s “view of the world” to view world politics?

　　China News Service, Wuyishan, Fujian, March 24th: How to use China’s “view of the world” to view world politics?

　　——Exclusive interview with Salikyo Santam, professor of political science department at Tetso College in India

　　Author Cui Bailu Xiao Yudi Wenlongjie

　　The first Wuyi Forum sponsored by Renmin University of China and others was held in Nanping, Fujian. Chinese and foreign scholars gathered at Zhu Xi Garden in Wuyi Mountain to explore the Chinese cultural context and talk about diverse civilizations.

　　During the forum, Salikyu Sangtam, professor of the Department of Political Science at Tetso College in India, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Service's "East-West Question" and shared his views on China's diplomatic philosophy based on the ancient Chinese "view of the world." and the unique value of this diplomatic philosophy in today’s world politics.

The interview transcript is summarized as follows:

China News Service reporter: You have long-term research on Chinese political thought. During the research process, what ideas from ancient China inspired you?

　　Salikyu Santam: My research interests are mainly in political psychology, research methods and non-Western political thought, especially Chinese thought. The study of Chinese thought includes rich content such as philosophy, history, and strategic traditions. These studies share a common thread: the exploration of non-Western knowledge systems and ideas.

　　I believe that every society, culture and nation thinks differently. Due to different ways of thinking, there will also be differences in the way they behave.

A snapshot of the Shijing Cultural Park in Jize County, Handan City, Hebei Province. Photo by Jinhua

　　During the research process, the moral principles mentioned in the ancient Chinese classics "The Book of Songs", "Shangshu", "Book of Rites", "Book of Changes" and "Spring and Autumn", as well as the works and life experiences of Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Sun Tzu and King Wen of Zhou were all Gave me profound inspiration. I admire Zhuge Liang's ability and wisdom very much, and I also like Li Bai's poetry and Luo Guanzhong's literary works. Most of all, I admire the resilience, tolerance and uniqueness of the Chinese people and culture. As the "Analects of Confucius" says: "The virtuous wind of a gentleman, the virtuous grass of a villain, the wind on the grass will die." It can be said that I am also like the green grass, blown by the "wind" of Chinese culture.

Tourists visit the "Zhuge Liang Hall" of Wuhou Temple in Chengdu. Photo by Yu Xiangquan

　　The title of my speech at the Wuyi Forum was "Searching for the World: The Way of 'Two Combinations'". I believe that there is a driving force behind China's integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific reality and China's excellent traditional culture, namely "Chinese characteristics." The most important "Tao" is China's view of the world. The concept of Tianxia Guan is as old as Chinese civilization and has rich connotations. It is the guide to promote China to move forward along the road of modernization and build the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. It gives socialism "Chinese characteristics" and answers the question "Why did China become China?" "The problem. In the process of promoting the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with the excellent traditional Chinese culture, China has not only opened up a unique path for itself, but also created a way to promote mutual understanding, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among different human civilizations. A whole new way.

China News Service reporter: How does ancient China’s view of the world affect China’s current diplomacy?

　　Salikyu Santam: An objective study of Chinese culture and Chinese civilization will reveal that the world view supports and inspires China to embark on a unique diplomatic path. This is also a concept I often use in my research. Many countries, especially European and American countries, whether intentionally or unintentionally, rarely think about the manifestation of Chinese diplomatic philosophy in this aspect.

Zhou Dynasty cultural relics. Photo by Yinwei

　　The concept of Tianxia was formed in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Its formation background was that the Zhou Dynasty needed to achieve unification through unity. The concept of Tianxia proposes the concept of persuading people with virtue and ruling the world with virtue, rather than resorting to fear, force and rule. Its core philosophical basis is "Mingming virtue in the world" and the royal way, and opposes hegemonic rule, and morality is placed on personal or diplomatic matters. key location of behavior.

　　The principle of Tianxiaview is to be inclusive, non-exclusive, non-antagonistic, and non-labelling. Nothing is incompatible or heterogeneous. The world view emphasizes harmony without difference and appreciates the diversity of nations, cultures and values. It is believed that harmony is only possible if there is diversity, and the concept of harmony cannot exist if there is only identity. This is also emphasized by Confucius, Mencius, Laozi and other sages and the "Five Classics".

　　China establishes relations with all countries in the world on the basis of morality. It does not classify any country as a friend or enemy, but treats the world as a big family. It hopes to establish and maintain harmonious relations with all countries, and is committed to and indeed turning hostility into bona fide. This approach is what is lacking in today's world and what world politics needs.

　　However, the United States and some European countries are skeptical about this because they do not understand the importance of this unique Tianxia philosophy in China's diplomacy. In addition, philosophy is a reflection of social values ​​and culture, and is also a perspective from which to observe the world. Since the foundations of Western philosophy and Chinese philosophy are different, looking at the same thing from different perspectives will lead to different understandings.

　　But this does not mean that people from different cultural backgrounds can never understand each other. Gaps can be understood and overcome by setting aside one's own assumptions and appreciating others, rather than imposing one's own views on others.

China News Service reporter: In an article, you used Go and chess as examples to analyze the differences in strategic thinking between China and Western countries. Why did you choose this comparison method?

　　Salikyu Santam: Even games are not created in a vacuum. Their appearance and existence reflect the culture and values ​​behind them.

Go players are making moves. Photo by Cen Yi

　　Go embodies the qualities that Chinese culture values ​​most, such as patience, inaction, foresight, acumen, adaptability, overall view, seeking relative advantage and waiting for the right opportunity. Chess promotes principles that are the opposite of Go, including dominance, daring and swift elimination of opponents, short-term strategy, immediate reciprocity, and an emphasis on total and decisive victory. These differences are also reflected in how China and Western countries handle relations with other countries. Affected by different cultural backgrounds, China, the United States, and some European countries display completely different codes of conduct.

Chess players during the game. Photo by Luo Yunfei

China News Service reporter: As an international relations scholar, what do you think of the "Thucydides Trap" perspective put forward by some scholars?

　　Salikyu Santam: I think the "Thucydides Trap" is just a theory, a means of explaining specific events or experiences, but not "reality" itself.

　　If people are like Graham Allison who proposed the "Thucydides Trap" hypothesis, or like some Western countries who agree with the existing mainstream perspective and start from their own culture and experience, they believe that the world is hostile. , inability to compromise, zero-sum game and winner-take-all, and use this to explain global politics, then the "Thucydides Trap" undoubtedly shows an unfortunate future. But if we look at the same world politics with China's view of the world, the "Thucydides Trap" will not be raised or become an issue at all.

　　From the perspective of world view, countries are willing to accept differences, emphasize harmony, tolerance, and cooperation, and advocate mutual benefit, mutual respect, inclusiveness, and diversity. As the Chinese scholar Zhao Tingyang said, when looking at global politics from the perspective of tianxia, ​​"the world has no outside", that is, it is harmonious, inclusive, coordinated, and integrated. Hostility can be transformed into goodwill. The world is not based on existing nation-states; Become a community based on ethics.

　　Of course, the existing Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Ukrainian crisis and other tense situations cannot be resolved through existing methods. Perhaps for this reason, China’s view of the world can play an important role in resolving the various conflicts and tensions facing global politics today.

Reporter from China News Service: China and India are both countries with ancient civilizations. They have created splendid civilizational achievements in history and enriched the cultural diversity of the world through exchanges and exchanges. At present, how do you think the two sides should promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Indian civilizations?

　　Salikyu Santam: Historically, India and China, two ancient civilizations, have maintained cultural exchanges for a long time. The spread of Brahmanism and Buddhism from India to China, the spread of Ramayana in China, and Xuanzang's journey to the west are all vivid examples. Exchanges between the two major civilizations require frequent exchanges, and this is even more true today.

　　Looking back at history, we can find that the Indian and Chinese civilizations have maintained peaceful and harmonious relations for a long time and accepted each other's differences. It was only in modern times, with the advent of colonial empires, that India-China relations changed. At that time, Britain took advantage of the weakening national power of China and India to delimit borders without authorization, making it the main cause of disagreement between the two sides. At the same time, external forces tried to create rifts between the two countries, further complicating the situation.

　　But I remain optimistic about the future of India-China relations. I believe that both sides can deepen their understanding of each other and restore harmonious relations by conveying common values. Border issues will be difficult to resolve if only the existing nation-state model is used. Perhaps Tianxiaguan is one of the ways to solve the boundary problem.

　　I believe that the world is broad, broad enough to tolerate diversity and to transform people with virtue. Although the world today has not yet reached a state of harmony, I believe that through the continuous development of India-China relations, the world can move in a more harmonious direction. (over)

Interviewee profile:

　　Salikyu Sangtam is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Tetso College in India. Political theory, research methodology and international relations are taught at the school. The main research directions are non-Western political thought, Chinese thought and political psychology.