The forum titled "The Process of
Multi-cultures and the Development of Global Civilization" took place at
the Beijing City Library on the afternoon of October 19, as part of the
Tongzhou Global Development Forum (2024), organized by Renmin University of
China (RUC), with the university’s School of Philosophy and School of History
as joint hosts.
The event featured a range of
international scholars and experts who discussed themes like cultural exchange,
Marxist thought, Chinese civilization, and global cooperation. Qingge Letu,
Vice Chair of the University Council of RUC, delivered the opening speech.
In his remarks, Qingge Letu emphasized that fostering mutual understanding through civilizational exchange is a crucial means of building global civilization. He expressed hope that through in-depth discussion and knowledge-sharing, the forum’s participants would contribute valuable insights, build consensus, and promote greater cooperation to facilitate the exchange of wisdom and strength between civilizations.
The theme "Integration and Harmonious Development of Civilizations" was moderated by Professor Zang Fengyu, Dean of RUC’s School of Philosophy. Several esteemed scholars delivered keynote speeches, including Tairako Tomonaga, Honorary Professor at Hitotsubashi University, Yang Jinhai, former Secretary-General of the Central Compilation and Translation Bureau and current professor at Tsinghua University, Li Haiqing, Vice Dean of the Marxism Institute at the Central Party School, Dennis Schilling, a sinologist from Germany and Professor at RUC’s School of Philosophy, Xie Dikun, Professor at RUC, and Roland Boer, Professor at RUC’s School of Philosophy.
Tairako Tomonaga spoke on "Marx’s View on Capitalist Globalization," highlighting Marx's evolving perspectives on capitalism’s global spread. Yang Jinhai reflected on "Promoting Chinese Civilization for World Harmony," discussing the contemporary relevance of Chinese civilization in addressing global development challenges. Li Haiqing explored "The Integration of Marxism and Traditional Chinese Culture," focusing on theoretical principles and their practical outcomes. Dennis Schilling presented "Civilization in Chinese Classical Philosophy," exploring ancient Chinese ideas on civilization and offering a deep analysis of key texts from the works of Mencius and Xunzi. In his presentation on “Cultural Confidence and Civilizational Exchange from the Perspective of the Second Combination,” Xie Dikun emphasized the importance of cultural confidence, solidifying national cultural identity, and maintaining intellectual and cultural initiative. Roland Boer discussed “The Nature of Socialist Culture: The Relationship between the ‘Second Combination’ and Socialist Values,” highlighting how socialist values are rooted in both ancient Chinese traditions and distinct from Western capitalism, building a community aimed at benefiting the majority.
The session "A Multidimensional View of Civilizational History" was chaired by Sophie Chow, Vice Dean of RUC’s School of History, and featured prominent speakers such as Qian Chengdan, professor at Peking University, Yang Huilin, former Vice President of RUC, Solonin Kirill, Professor at RUC’s College of Liberal Arts, Kusunoki Yoshimichi, Professor at Minzu University of China, and Kim Byung Joon, professor at Seoul National University.
Qian Chengdan emphasized the diversity of
civilizations, underscoring that civilization has always developed uniquely
across different regions. Yang Huilin examined two artworks and a film, using
them as metaphors to stress the importance of recognizing and appreciating the
diversity of civilizations. Solonin Kirill discussed the commonalities in the
origins of human civilization and the need for shared efforts in addressing
global challenges. Kusunoki Yoshimichi analyzed how Edo-period Japanese
intellectuals studied Qing Dynasty history. Kim Byung Joon advocated for a
broader civilizational perspective beyond modern national boundaries when
examining ancient history.
The forum emphasized that civilization is
a collective outcome of human material and spiritual achievements and plays a
critical role in societal evolution. Participants agreed on the need for a “big
history” approach to understanding the unique attributes of Chinese
civilization in the context of global development. They called for a diverse,
equal, and inclusive understanding of civilization to dismantle myths of
superiority and encourage the coexistence of cultures.