Dialogue on Views on Civilization | He Hui

 The construction of China's discourse system and strategic communication strategies of views on civilization 

The construction of China's discourse system and strategic communication strategies of views on civilization is a significant topic with philosophical and historical significance, as well as significant practical implications. Here, we will focus on three aspects.

The discursive foundation for the construction of China's discourse system on views on civilization

To discuss the discourse system of China's views on civilization, it is necessary to first clarify what the Chinese views on civilization are. A basic consensus on the Chinese perspective on civilization needs to be reached in the field of external communication. Currently, in the academic fields of history and sociology, as well as in broader cultural, intellectual, and even in the domain of public life, there may not yet be a complete consensus on the Chinese perspective on civilization in its entirety.

Academic debates and diverse viewpoints are objectively present. However, in the practical aspect of constructing an external discourse system, it is possible to go beyond the details of academic disagreements and seek consensus within the mainstream. This is because, in order to further discuss the construction of an external discourse system regarding Chinese civilization, it is necessary to search for and establish a certain mainstream discourse foundation.

The "Chinese-style modernization" proposed at the 20th Party Congress can be seen as a concentrated reflection of China's current view of civilization. The essence of Chinese-style modernization, as elucidated in the report of the 20th Party Congress, requires adhering to the leadership of the Communist Party of China, upholding socialism with Chinese characteristics, achieving high-quality development, promoting people's democracy throughout the entire process, enriching the spiritual lives of the people, realizing common prosperity for all, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, advancing the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and creating a new form of human civilization. The construction of China's external discourse system of views on civilization can be based on "Chinese-style modernization" as a core discourse foundation.  

The construction of China's discourse system of views on civilization and the issue of dialogue with the discourse of other civilizations

World civilizations are diverse. The renowned British historian Arnold J. Toynbee believed that apart from those that have already disappeared, there are at least 31 different world civilizations. The coexistence of diverse civilizations has always been a historical fact.

In the current era of significant changes that we are facing, when it comes to the external dissemination of China's view on civilization, it is necessary to fully consider the communication issues with various civilizations such as Western civilization, Islamic civilization, African civilization, Indian civilization, Russian civilization, Korean civilization, Japanese civilization, Southeast Asian civilization, and others. It requires coexistence with differences and mutual learning and exchange.

Regardless of any civilization, it will inevitably have its specific manifestations, but its most essential content needs to be analyzed through the thoughts and values of individuals within the civilization. This means that:

Firstly, in the process of constructing China's external discourse system of views on civilization, we must engage in dialogue and communication with other civilizations in the realm of ideas and values. "Chinese-style modernization" represents the most essential content in terms of ideas and values. However, of course, this concept still needs to be further elaborated and interpreted in the process of constructing the external discourse system.

When necessary, it is important to engage in necessary debates with the core discourse of other civilizations. For example, the two major institutions of modern Western civilization are the industrialized economic system and the representative political system characterized by the slogan of "democracy". These two aspects constitute the most essential content of Western civilization. In the process of constructing our external discourse system, it is crucial to deeply understand their implications in order to engage in debates with them and objectively and rationally reveal certain irreconcilable issues within Western civilization. Chinese civilization can appear as a reconciling and balancing factor before Western civilization, rather than existing as its opposite or enemy.

Secondly, the construction of China's external discourse system of views on civilization can revolve around the symbols and concrete manifestations of civilization. For example, the cross of the Christian church is a symbol of Christian civilization. Various forms of artwork are also prominent symbols of different civilizations. Chinese civilization also has rich and prominent symbols. By focusing on the visible symbols of civilization and various forms of artwork, the view of Chinese civilization can be further manifested. In the process of constructing the external discourse system of views on Chinese civilization, it is essential to explore and create visible symbols of Chinese civilization and promote traditional and contemporary Chinese artistic works. This should be a primary task in the construction of the discourse system.

Furthermore, in the process of constructing China's external discourse system of views on civilization, it is important to timely incorporate the everyday discourse arising from grassroots communication. In the realm of public life, within the extensive communication of everyday life, particularly in the context of the internet, there may emerge certain languages that can be widely accepted across multiple civilizations. These languages have the potential to transcend ideologies, thereby creating a practical discourse environment and intellectual space for the coexistence of civilizations.

The strategic communication strategy of China's views on civilization

Chinese civilization is one of the world civilizations and represents a significant and extensive form of civilization. However, Chinese civilization will not be the sole civilization to dominate the world. The future of world civilizations should be characterized by the coexistence or hybridization of multiple civilizations. Otherwise, if civilizations resort to confrontation and conflict, especially if major civilizations engage in significant conflicts, human civilization will face significant threats. On Earth, where the threat of nuclear weapons has not been completely eliminated, an extreme and possible scenario is that internal conflicts within human civilization, driven by the pursuit of real interests (such as limited resources), could escalate into intense confrontations between major civilizations and trigger a nuclear war. Such an extreme situation could pose an extremely serious threat to global civilization. The current world situation indicates that this potential threat has never been completely eliminated.

Regarding the strategic communication of China's views on civilization, in terms of strategic objectives, at the philosophical level, it should help shape global awareness of the coexistence of diverse civilizations. At the historical and present levels, it should reinforce the inherent peaceful characteristics of Chinese civilization due to natural and historical factors, and enable the world to understand the role of contemporary "Chinese-style modernization" in mitigating the inherent developmental crises within Western civilization.

Therefore, in terms of the specific strategies for the strategic communication of China's views on civilization, it should emphasize that Chinese civilization is committed to the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature, as well as the harmonious coexistence of different civilizations. In the process of external dissemination, it should adhere to a softening strategy, avoiding confrontations with other civilizations.