On the morning of June 15, the high-end seminar on modern Chinese civilization was successfully held by Renmin University of China. Zhang Donggang, Chairperson of the University Council, and Xu Qingsen, Director of the Department of Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, attended the conference and delivered speeches. Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University of China, Qian Chengdan, Boya Chair Professor of Peking University, Lu Yusong, Council Chair and Vice President of Chinese Academy of History, Cui Jianfei, Director of Qing History Compilation and Research Center of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the PRC, Fan Jing, researcher of Institute of Military Political Work of Academy of Military Sciences, Tian Songyan, Professor of Research Center for Chinese Civilization and Chinese Path of National Academy of Governance made keynote speeches. The event was moderated by Du Peng, Vice President of Renmin University of China.
In his speech, Zhang heaped praise on the Chinese authority’s increased attention to the development of modern Chinese civilization. Under the guidance of the Ministry of education, and with the strong support from researchers and scholars from across the country, said Zhang, RUC has taken the lead to hold the high-end seminar as part of the university’s efforts to boost the modern civilization of the Chinese nation.
As the first modern university founded by the PRC, RUC has always strived to leverage its advantage as a stellar example of education in Humanities and Social Science. Last November, the university unveiled the project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization. Thereafter, research institutes like Institute of Chinese Modernization and New Forms of Civilization and Institute of Chinese civilization were established successively. Encouraging progress was also made in the compilation of collections like the history of Chinese civilization and the history of world civilization. Going forward, RUC will redouble its efforts to work with other universities and institutes to enhance the development of modern Chinese civilization.
Xu Qingsen then stressed that RUC’s decision to hold the forum is in line with the direction of the country’s development. The move not only epitomizes RUC’s great sense of responsibility as a stellar example of education in Humanities and Social Science, but also bears witness to Chinese scholars’ awareness to respond to the problems of China, the world and the humanity. After affirming the achievements made by RUC in this regard in the past, Xu also expressed his hope to see more efforts made by the university to fully tap its potential and build more academic platform for high-level discussion on modern civilization. On top of that, Xu hoped all the experts and scholars to draw on the opportunity provided by the forum to engage in an in-depth, fruitful discussion and, as such, made contributions to the development of the modern Chinese civilization.
During the keynote session, Lin Shangli spoke highly of the Chinese authority’s recent remark on the modern Chinese civilization. Lin pointed out that the new form of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation is indeed the new form of human civilization. He called on Chinese scholars in the field of social science to become more confident of our culture and create even more splendid civilization in the days to come.
Qian Chengdan also gave a speech in which he elaborated on the three points to develop modern civilization. Firstly, confidence in our culture is the prerequisite of the smooth functioning of the Chinese path to modernization. Modernization is the irresistible trend of today’s world. It can never be made possible without discovering a path that conforms to the fundamental realities of the country. Secondly, efforts must be made to ensure the balance between learning from western countries and keeping our national characteristics. It is advisable to learn from the rest of the world and draw on their strength to serve our interests. Nonetheless, we must firmly stick to the fine traditions of our nation to better bolster our Chinese modernization. Thirdly, the splendid history of the Chinese nation that spans 5,000 years is a great treasure house for us. We must made unremitting efforts to learn from the culture, wisdom and practice of our ancestors.
Lu Yusong believed that a modern Chinese civilization is of great significance for a country with a 5,000-year-old history. It is also the purpose of the booming Chinese civilization. China’s success in this regard is expected to offer references for the rest of the world in advancing their civilization. As a result, a modern Chinese civilization will not only benefit the Chinese nation but also empower the peace and harmony of the whole world. Lu called on scholars in related fields to intensify their efforts to study major historical issues concerning modern Chinese civilization.
Cui Jianfei affirmed the significance of the recompilation of the History of the Qing Dynasty. The project, according to him, will shed light on our history and greatly enlighten later generations. Cui mentioned three points about their future plans: underscore the salient role of Chinese civilization in the history of the Qing Dynasty, made clear the irresistible trend of the awakening of the Chinese nation in the late Qing Dynasty and further carry forward our splendid tradition in historical study.
Tian Songyan said that inclusiveness and openness constitute the foundation of cultural integration and innovation. Because of the gene of inclusiveness rooted in the Chinese civilization, the nation always deals with foreign culture in a harmonious way and strives to seek common ground while narrowing differences. The nation will always be a force for world peace, a contributor to global development and a defender of international order.
After the forum, the participants had a better understanding of the importance of shouldering new cultural missions and building a modern Chinese civilization.
