Out with the Old and in with the New
The idea originated in The Book of Changes. "Ge signifies doing away with the old; ding symbolizes setting up the new," reads the full quote. It stresses the importance of timely changes to foster progress and social advancement. The ancient Chinese believed that the only constant in the universe was change. Thus, men should understand the law of the universe and adapt to changes to strive for innovation. This explains to a certain extent how the Chinese civilization has maintained strong resilience and vitality for so long.
A pioneering and enterprising spirit, which is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese culture, has provided an inexhaustible source of strength and vitality for Chinese civilization. Such a spirit is reflected in many historic changes through national reforms and social progress. Prime examples include the reforms of Shangyang (390-338 B.C.) and the Revolution of 1911. In contemporary China, the nation maintains the tradition by deepening reform and opening up, which has created many miracles of development. The idea of "out with the old, in with the new" has become a quintessential cultural trait of Chinese civilization.
革故鼎新
革故鼎新出自《周易·杂卦》，原文是“革，去故也；鼎，取新也”。“革”是除去旧事物，“鼎”是建立新事物。“革故鼎新”意指破旧立新，推动事物发展和社会进步，其核心是适时变革、去旧更新。中国古人认为，永恒变化是宇宙万物存在的基本状态，因此应把握规律，适应变化， 推动创新。这正是中华文明保持强大韧性和生命力的一个重要原因。
从古至今，中华文明之所以历久弥新、生生不息，就是因为它在坚持传统的同时，保持锐意进取的态度，与时俱进、开拓创新。中国历史上的商鞅变法、辛亥革命等，都是以破旧立新的改革精神探寻国家变革与社会进步之路，推动了历史的发展。当代中国秉承革故鼎新的精神，深化改革、扩大开放，创造了发展奇迹。革故鼎新已经成为中华文明永恒的精神气质。
