Chinese civilization is famous for its openness and inclusiveness since ancient times. Through exchanges with other civilizations, the Chinese civilization has contributed to the world a profound system of thoughts, a wide range of technological, cultural and artistic achievements, and unique institutional creations, thereby deeply influencing the development of the world's civilizations. Recently, DeepChina has interviewed Mr. Xu Xianlong, a professor from South Central Minzu University, and discussed why and how Chinese civilization can become open and inclusive in all cultures.

DeepChina: What role did the cultural integration of diverse ethnic groups play in forming Chinese civilization?

Xu Xianlong: Chinese civilization was an open system at the outset. Even in the era of ancient myths and legends, the pluralistic, regional, and national characteristics of Chinese culture were already emerging.

The varied features of Chinese civilization also determine the cultural exchange and mutual learning between diverse ethnic groups. For thousands of years, China's unique geography with multiple topographies cultivated three main types of civilization: agricultural, nomadic, and marine. Through their contact, collision, and complementarity, these types gradually developed into a Chinese civilization with a unique culture. China has diverse cultures and a long history, and with its powerful need for inclusive absorption, it witnessed cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Moreover, China's population distribution pattern has created a cultural wet-land, rather than so-called isolated cultural islands. In history, all ethnic groups in China have constantly exchanged and interacted with each other, forming a pattern of coexistence. They influenced each other in lifestyle, languages, and customs. Western scholars like to use "islands of cultural isolation" to emphasize cultural boundaries between scattered ethnic groups. Actually, in this case, the term "cultural wetland" might be more appropriate due to its relatively vague boundaries. Because the various ethnic groups' histories are center-oriented, the populations collide with each other. With each additional exchange, they share more in common.

Therefore, Chinese civilization adopted the Central Plains culture as its core, learning from other peoples, and eventually becoming great. Scholars from all over the world generally believe that Chinese civilization has a circular structure, divided into core areas, radial areas, and marginal areas, corresponding to China's local communities, the communities of border countries, and overseas Chinese communities. As it spread, Chinese culture learned from other diverse cultures and eventually created a continuous Chinese culture with long-term vitality.

DeepChina: How does Chinese civilization treat foreign cultures? What are some typical examples?

Xu Xianlong: Chinese civilization has never been limited to its birthplace, the Yellow River, but has reached far beyond. The Silk Road, spanning thousands of miles of desert, and the maritime Silk Road, crossing oceans and seas, were two well- known trade routes connecting ancient China with the outside world. In the Han dynasty, the expeditions to the Western Regions by Zhang Qian and Ban Chao opened up an artery for economic and cultural exchange across the Eurasian continent. Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, with the opening of the Silk Road and advances in navigation technology, exchanges between the East and West in politics, economy, and culture became increasingly frequent, and many foreign people from central Asia entered China's heartland.

Chinese civilization is located in East Asia but does not confine itself to the region. China established exchanges with countries in central Asia and Europe over 4,000 years ago. The magnificent Sanxingdui Ruins showcase the splendid 3,000-year-old Bronze Age civilization. The "Sleeping Beauty in Lop Nur Graveyard" unearthed from the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang, with her serene "millennium smile", bore witness to the exchange of Eurasian peoples during this period. The polychrome figurines of civilian officials unearthed from Tang dynasty tombs in Sanyuan county in Shaanxi Province reflected the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty when a large number of foreign talents were extensively recruited for official positions.

Chinese civilization embraces all and seeks harmony for all. The monk Jianzhen's eastward journey in the Tang dynasty and Admiral Zheng He's voyages to the West in the Ming dynasty are both examples of ancient China's friendly exchanges with foreign countries. Some foreign lands where Zheng He's fleet traveled still retain place names such as "Semarang," leaving a long-lasting impression of friendly exchanges in the history of world civilization. This behavior without any hint of coercion, colonization, or aggression, which was rare in the medieval world, highlights China's friendliness and tolerance toward other cultures.

DeepChina: What role has "Zhonghua" as a cultural symbol played in the process of accepting and absorbing diverse cultures for Chinese civilization?

Xu Xianlong: Among numerous cultural definitions and national symbols relating to China, "Zhonghua" is undoubtedly the strongest and is shared by all ethnic groups  in China. The "Zhonghua" complex and the related Chinese national identity are not only a political gene shared by all ethnic groups, but also an eternal "booster" for forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.

Since ancient times, diverse ethnic groups in China have paid tribute to each other, made alliances with each other, and mingled with each other, creating an ethnic community with extraordinary cohesion. The Xianbei of the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Khitan of the Liao Dynasty, the Dang Xiang of the Western Xia Dynasty, the Jurchen of the Jin State, the Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty, and the Manchu of the Qing Dynasty all seemed to regard themselves as Chinese peoples. While identifying with the identity of "Zhonghua," ethnic minorities have maintained the relatively independent development of their own culture, while accepting the diversity of broader Chinese culture as well. "Zhonghua," as a symbol of the unification of the whole country, has gradually been shared by all ethnic groups, forming a complex of unity in diversity and symbolizing blood being thicker than water.

Since the concept of "Zhonghua Minzu" (the Chinese nation) was put forward in China for the first time, the sense of national identity was subsequently strengthened and became manifested as "conscious" patriotic feelings. Through blood and fire, "Zhonghua" was transformed from a slogan into the name of the country, and written into the Constitution of China. For all ethnic groups, the consciousness of a national community sharing weal and woe grew stronger, and love for family and country were both balanced and condensed into an internal driving force of national unity against foreign aggression. This became a powerful force to forge a strong sense of community for the whole of China.

The symbol of "Zhonghua" is also the source of strength for Chinese Communists to lead the people of all ethnic groups to "realize the Chinese dream for the Chinese nation." Since its birth, the Communist Party of China has been the leading force for the Chinese nation to shift from unconsciousness to consciousness for its self-being. The Communist Party of China has creatively combined Marxist ethnic theory with the reality of China's ethnic issues, and has explored the correct path to solve those issues with Chinese characteristics. For the first time in history, people of all ethnic groups truly gained equal political rights, formed a strong national cohesion represented by the symbol of "Zhonghua," and promoted a more inclusive and cohesive community with a shared future for the Chinese nation.

DeepChina: How can the openness and inclusiveness benefit for the national rejuvenation led by the CPC?

Xu Xianlong:  At the beginning of establishment, the CPC has committed to the principal of openness and inclusiveness, and keep in close touch with the international society in the process of growth and development.  After the founding of New China in 1949, the CPC has kept its friendly communication and selfless assistance in China's diplomacy. Since the 18^th CPC National Congress, with the strategical plan of the national rejuvenation and facing the momentous changes unseen in a century, it has extensively promoted the "Belt and Road" project, and has broken a new ground for the opening-up.

The CPC is the successor of the Chinese civilization, and holds an open and inclusive attitude towards the national liberation and rejuvenation. Entering the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the CPC combines all the forces that can be united to pool much strength for the Chinese modernization, so as to achieve the goal of "walking on the just path and pursuing for the common good".

Openness brings progress while closing the door can only leave one behind. The CPC is leading the people of all ethnic groups to practice the greatest modernization in the world. With its open mind and broad vision, its self-confidence and self-reliance, the CPC has made the world better know and understand China, and respect and appreciate the Chinese civilization.  The sea is vast for it embraces so many rivers, and the open and inclusive Chinese civilization will definitely prosper in the new era.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of DeepChina. The author is Xu Xianlong, professor and doctoral supervisor in the school of Ethnology and Sociology, South Central Minzu University.