We Will Only Have a Future If We Remember Our Roots
By: Cao Xiaosheng October 1, 2014 | Updated: 2014-Nov-2 11:22
Since the Eighteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary Xi Jinping has advocated and actively promoted the continuation and innovation of China’s fine traditional culture, demonstrating his deep love for the Chinese nation, the broad-mindedness of a communist, and the extraordinary courage to stand at the forefront of the times. This has provided us with a scientific guideline and a basic set of principles to follow in carrying forward our fine traditional culture.
I. China’s fine traditional culture represents a source of inner strength driving us towards the Chinese Dream
Embodying the deepest aspirations of the Chinese nation, China’s fine traditional culture constitutes a number of things: a solid foundation on which the Chinese people come together as one and advance constantly toward greater prosperity; a root through which we carry forward our national genes while we are developing advanced culture; and a source of inner strength driving us towards the Chinese Dream.
1. The promotion and continuation of China’s fine traditional culture is an endeavor of great cultural significance
As General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “Over the long course of history, the Chinese people, with their toil, courage, and wisdom, have nurtured a splendid culture that is timeless and forever new, making indelible contributions to the progress of human civilization.” Xi Jinping has stated, “An entire code of virtues nurtured by our ancestors over the course of time represents an important foundation that has allowed the Chinese nation to endure and grow strong,” “To throw out tradition and discard our roots is akin to severing the artery that preserves our spirit,” and “Our traditional cultural resources need to be reviewed in a systematic manner, so as to breathe life into the antiques in our old palaces, into the cultural heritage of our vast land, and into the words in our ancient books.” Through these important statements, Xi Jinping has elucidated the strong vitality that has sustained Chinese culture, illustrated the unique character of the Chinese nation, and revealed the contemporary charm that China’s traditional culture boasts. In promoting China’s fine traditional culture, our aim is to find our roots, temper our souls, and unite our minds. This will help us to carry forward our national spirit and stimulate our national vitality; to spearhead contemporary trends and establish China’s image as a major country; and to preserve the source of our spirit and push our civilization forwards.
2. To cultivate our core socialist values, we need to promote our fine traditional culture
General Secretary Xi Jinping has stated, “China’s traditional culture is both extensive and profound; studying and grasping the essence of its various thoughts will be of great help to us in establishing the correct outlook on the world, on life, and on values” and “Owing to differences in their historical traditions, cultural heritage, and basic national conditions, each country and nation will inevitably have its own distinctive developmental path.” Chinese culture is characterized by its ancient and splendorous cultural heritage, by the incredible civilization it has created, by the boldness and confidence of the Chinese people, and by an indomitable strength of will. China’s unique culture, unique history, and unique basic national conditions will instill us with greater confidence and courage as we follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They will profoundly revitalize the emotional identification, the sense of belonging, and the convictions of the whole Chinese nation.
3. To realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, it is essential that we promote our fine traditional culture
General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized, “The strength and prosperity of a country and nation have always been founded on cultural prosperity, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be founded on the development and prosperity of Chinese culture,” “China’s fine traditional culture, which is both extensive and profound, represents a foundation that enables us to stand firm amidst the raging sea of cultures in the world,” “We need to enhance our efforts to delve into and expound on China’s fine traditional culture; promote the innovative transformation and renewal of traditional Chinese virtues; carry forward enduring and relevant cultural values that transcend space, time, and national borders; and encourage the spread of contemporary cultural innovations that carry forward the fine cultural traditions of the past whilst promoting the spirit of our times, and that are rooted in our country while looking out onto the world,” and “We need to give full play to the role of our fine traditional culture in educating and cultivating the people, so as to shape the heart of China and the soul of the Chinese nation, and promote the realization of the Chinese Dream as well as our dream of a strong military.” These statements show us that our efforts to promote China’s fine traditional culture pertain to cultural awakening, cultural rejuvenation, cultural awareness, and cultural self-improvement, which are elements of national awakening, national rejuvenation, national awareness, and national self-improvement respectively. China’s fine traditional culture represents the cornerstone for the continuation of our history. It is the foundation of our national prosperity, and a source of strength for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
II. China’s extensive and profound traditional culture represents the symbol of the Chinese nation
As the symbol of the Chinese nation, China’s extensive, profound, and splendid traditional culture embodies the glorious history of Chinese civilization—a history of pioneering and development; the immense bravery of the Chinese nation—a bravery of monumental proportions; and the great wisdom of the Chinese people—a wisdom that breeds the courage to innovate.
1. China’s fine traditional culture upholds the pure convictions of loyalty and patriotism
China’s deep cultural heritage is home to a wealth of poetic expressions of patriotism, such as: “I am willing to lay down my life for righteous loyalty to my country ”; “Lying alone in a lonely village without self-pity, still thinking of the garrison in Luntai ”; “If my sacrifice benefits the country, how can I shirk such responsibility to avoid my personal loss? ”; and “I know nothing will matter to me when my life ends, but the only thing haunting me is my divided country.” Being refined over the ages, these patriotic sentiments have been recognized and spread far and wide. They consist of a willingness to sacrifice oneself for one’s ideals and convictions, for justice, and for one’s country; an ideal of national unity and harmony; a sense of patriotism as embodied in “none since the advent of time have ever escaped death; may my loyalty forever illuminate the annals of history”; and a will to serve one’s country as embodied in “not daring to ignore the country’s peril no matter how humble one’s position is” and “everybody is responsible for the fate of the world.” Echoing over the ages, these sentiments have inspired generations of Chinese people to forge ahead.
2. China’s fine traditional culture upholds the enterprising spirit of tireless self-improvement
The history of the Chinese nation can be described as one of tireless self-improvement. There are many classical sayings that summarize and vividly reflect the Chinese nation’s tireless spirit of self-improvement, and that display its qualities of vigor, diligence, bravery, proactivity, positivity, and perseverance, as well as its will to overcome setbacks and obstacles. These include: “As the movement of the Heavens is ever vigorous, so must a virtuous man ceaselessly strive along”; “If you can one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day. Yea, let there be daily renovation”; and “He is simply a man, who in his eager pursuit of knowledge forgets his food, who in the joy of his attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on.” The spirit of tireless self-improvement represents the central theme in China’s traditional culture. Infused in the blood of the Chinese people, it has created a glorious culture that has endured for 5,000 years.
3. China’s fine traditional culture upholds the deep sentiment of serving one’s fellow people
China’s fine traditional culture emphasizes the benevolent and righteous sentiment of “loving all” and the merciful character of “helping people with universal love.” It holds that “the people represent the foundation of a nation, and national stability is only possible when this foundation is solid,” that “the people are the most important element in a state; next is the country; least is the ruler himself,” and that one should be “the first to worry about the world’s troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures.” Regarding “he who governs must put people first” as the principle for governing the country and maintaining stability, traditional Chinese culture believes that “rulers who love their people are strong while those who do not are weak,” that “rulers who put people first are modest without losing their dignity and show mercy without forsaking justice,” and that “rulers who regard the people as their enemy will eventually be overthrown by the people.” These statements tell us that putting people first has a bearing on the security of the state, on the fortunes of the nation, and on the wellbeing of the people, and that only by laying down a solid foundation in this regard can our country prosper and our people enjoy a peaceful life.
4. China’s fine traditional culture upholds the fine virtues of diligence and frugality
Looking back on previous dynasties, we may note that frugality has often led to success, while extravagance has often been the cause of decline. This idea has been repeated in many classical adages, such as “working diligently for the country and leading a frugal lifestyle” in Shang Shu (The Book of Documents); “keeping in mind every single grain or silk thread is the result of toil” in Family Instructions of Zhu Bailu; “public wellbeing comes from diligence, as diligence eliminates want” in Zuo Zhuan (Chronicle of Zuo); “peace of mind refines a person, and frugality cultivates his virtues” in A Letter to My Son; “frugality leads to prosperity while extravagance leads to downfall” inMozi; and “invigorating a family is as difficult as carrying soil with a needle, while ruining it is as easy as washing away sand with water” in Proverbs on Frugality. For thousands of years, diligence and frugality have been revered as virtues and passed on from one generation of Chinese people to the next. They have been treated as important means by which people can cultivate and refine themselves, and as a fundamental prerequisite for domestic prosperity, commercial success, and national stability.
5. China’s fine traditional culture upholds the pursuit of moral integrity
The Chinese nation has always advocated the cultivation of strong uprightness and the preservation of national character. It has revered the strong uprightness embodied in “never being corrupted by riches and honors, never departing from principle despite poverty or humble origin, and never submitting to force or threat,” and “death is nothing to be afraid of; only integrity is my lifelong pursuit”; it has embraced the strong will embodied in “one should stand firm despite heavy blows”; it has carried forward the moral integrity embodied in “great virtue brings about great inclusiveness,” “the greatest immortal deed is to establish sound moral character; the second is to render meritorious service; and the third is to expound one’s ideas in writing,” and “only with moral integrity can a country be invigorated and an individual be established”; it has inherited the selfless spirit embodied in “one should be whole-heartedly devoted to their public duty, putting public duty before personal pursuits and national matters before family affairs”; and it has carried forward the strength of character embodied in “virtuous people should act like a lotus, which grows out of the mud without losing its purity and blooms in crystal clear water without a sense of superiority,” “promises must be kept and action must be resolute,” and “one should be true to nature, to other people, and to himself.” These statements not only embody the fine traditions that have been refined by generations of Chinese people, but also represent the aspirations that the Chinese nation has tirelessly upheld in the face of changing times and the difficulties it has weathered.
6. China’s fine traditional culture upholds inclusiveness
China’s fine traditional culture is characterized by the flourishing of many different schools of thought, by the harmonious coexistence of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and by the seamless integration of “cultivating oneself, putting one’s family in order, running the local government well, and bringing peace to the entire country.” In addition to emphasizing a path of development based on harmony between humans and nature, traditional Chinese culture promotes values such as filial piety, fraternity, loyalty, faithfulness, propriety, righteousness, honesty, and sense of shame, and advocates the harmonious coexistence of different countries, different nations, different people, different civilizations, and humans and nature. The ideas of “universal love, opposition to aggression,” and “treating the countries of others as you would your own” by Mozi; the ideas of “he who is merciful loves people,” and “the virtuous man sees righteousness” by Confucius; and the idea of “to dwell in the wide house of the world and walk in the great path of the world” by Mencius, embody the spirit of pursuing universal peace and harmony without imposing uniformity, the political ambition to realize friendly and harmonious relations with foreign countries, and the qualities of honesty, friendliness, tolerance, kindness, and inclusiveness. It can be said that “harmony” constitutes the essence of Chinese culture. Being deeply rooted in the Chinese soul, the pursuit of peace and harmony represents the cornerstone of the Chinese nation’s efforts to achieve harmonious relations with other countries.
III. The correct attitude towards China’s fine traditional culture should be to carry it forward and develop it in an innovative way
China’s fine traditional culture represents a link between the past, the present, and the future. We must transform, use, and develop this traditional culture in an innovative way, thereby allowing our dream of national rejuvenation to take root in our deep cultural traditions.
1. We need to transform China’s fine traditional culture in an innovative way
Only by carrying forward tradition will we be better disposed to innovate. We need to draw on our profound traditional culture with pride, refine our minds on a gradual basis, and carry forward our distinctive national spirit. We must treat our traditional culture with respect, uphold it with unwavering determination, and transform it along with the changing times, so that it may benefit both current and future generations. By grasping the essence of our traditional culture, we need to make proper and full use of our traditional cultural resources to enrich people’s minds, bolster their inner strength, and provide them with a strong supporting foundation. By identifying the artery of our traditional culture, we need to trace our roots, link the past to the present, identify the inner development path and basic orientation of our traditional culture, and guide it on the correct path of development. By identifying the best elements of our traditional culture, we need to discard the bad and keep the good in line with new contemporary trends and new practical conditions, draw on the merits of various traditional thoughts with an inclusive attitude, and step up our efforts to bring forth the new from the old, so as to inject Chinese culture with the vitality for constant development.
2. We need to use China’s fine traditional culture in an innovative way
It was once said that changes in the substance and form of literature have a bearing on the contemporary situation and order. By integrating our fine traditional culture into the age we live in and into our current initiatives, we will be able to genuinely inject life into these traditions, thereby enabling them to take root and flower. First, we need to use our fine traditional culture to foster core socialist values. In doing so, we must draw on the moral essence of our traditional culture, carry forward its fine character, and promote its traditional virtues, thus enabling it to become a part of our aspirations and our conscious actions. Second, we need to use our fine traditional culture to promote the modernization of our national governance system and governance capacity. In doing so, we must ensure that our governance system fully reflects the characteristics of our country, our nation, and our times by endowing it with new connotations, elements, and contents. Third, we need to use our fine traditional culture to cultivate the Chinese spirit. In doing so, we must guide social and cultural trends with the essence of Chinese culture, with a national spirit that is based on patriotism, and with a contemporary spirit that is based on reform and innovation, so that Chinese culture can continue exerting a strong influence on the age we live in.
3. We need to develop China’s fine traditional culture in an innovative way
The famous Chinese writer Lu Xun once said, “Only by promoting the national soul, which is of greatest value, will China be able to make genuine progress.” Our efforts to promote China’s fine traditional culture need to interact with the times, with the world, and with our initiatives in practice if they are to bring about new breakthroughs, new leaps forward, and new development. We need to integrate these efforts with our dream of making the country strong, root them in our vivid initiatives and healthy lives, and continue to create a social atmosphere that is suited to our great undertakings and a national demeanor that is suited to China’s status as a major rising country, so as to strengthen our cultural foundation and draw on its merits. We also need to integrate these efforts with our advanced socialist culture, draw on the merits of tradition while gathering contemporary elements, and adapt the genes of our fine traditional culture to suit contemporary culture and spirit, so that the two can mutually reinforce one another and develop side by side with the times. By doing so, we will endow China’s fine traditional culture with the strength to endure.
