China’s advocacy of common values of humanity is not a so-called “New Tianxia-ism”, but an important breakthrough in the way of thinking - 2022-08-04
Since the 19th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward on a series of important occasions such iconic concepts as “common values of humanity”, “a community of shared future for mankind” and “mutual learning among civilizations”, reflecting his great vision and broad-mindedness in both the domestic and international imperatives. To better understand the common values of humanity, it is necessary to leave behind the dogmatism of polar opposites, to understand pluralism and to insist on subjectivity.
Multiple subjects and value co-creation
Globalization itself is a process of pluralistic participation, reflecting a sense of national subjectivity. As some scholars have pointed out, globalization “is based on the awareness and consciousness of an objective historical process and its conditions, rather than on the need for people to agree before they can ‘join in’”. In the beginning, there were only a few countries that were active and had the energy to promote globalization, but as globalization progressed, the actual progress went far beyond the old framework of the original dichotomy of active-passive, lead-follow, China-West, and capitalism-socialism, and it became increasingly difficult to reach a consensus about values. It does not require the maximum depth of truth to acknowledge the objective existence of pluralistic, multi-layered and diverse subjects, the differences in interest disputes and conflicting values of different subjects in the process of globalization and modernization. The key lies in how to truly leave behind the “boss” expectation and dogmatism that one country, one person and one pole can “settle” disputes and conflicts and give the final word. Undoubtedly globalization and modernization need to be based on shared values, but true shared values should not only be treated as the “biggest common denominator”, but also as the “lowest common multiple” of the interests and pursuits of all parties, so that they can have a cohesive and motivating effect.
The game of interests is everywhere, and the key is how to distinguish, adopt or discard, and balance between the immediate narrow interests and the long-term common interests. For example, in the pattern of international relations we emphasize that China-U.S. and China-Europe should work in the same direction, and this possibility of “working in the same direction” comes to a large extent from the practical considerations of each party. This is determined by the objective nature and the real environment that human beings live in the same community with a shared future in matters of universal survival and development. In addition, politicians from different countries have vastly different insight and vision on “national interests”, and the realization of the common interests in realpolitik faces various tests. But in any case, all choices must keep in alignment with the objective needs of humanity and the direction of development pursued, which is the right thing to do to uphold subjectivity and realize co-creation of shared values.
Common values of humanity and China’s stance and position
The cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics is China’s own choice and an indispensable and important part of the world’s modernization process. Many formulations and viewpoints have been put forward, such as “find a uniquely Chinese path to modernization and create a new model for human advancement”, “the endeavor to build a community with a shared future for mankind serves as a great banner pointing the way forward for our times and humanity”, “provide guiding philosophy for promoting the common values of humanity”, and “be a participant in, facilitator for, and leader in the course of global governance form, and stick to a global governance vision featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits”. In contrast to the relevant content of the Report to the 19th National Congress, some of these formulations and viewpoints are completely new, such as a uniquely Chinese path to modernization, a new model for human advancement, common values of humanity, etc., while others are enhancements of the original expressions, reflecting the spiritual power and global perspective of “acting in our own best interests”, and have attracted great attention at home and abroad. They have not only clearly expressed China’s value standpoint, but have also kept in alignment with the general direction of the development of “all humanity”, the largest and highest subject.
The rise from country to “all humanity” is the result of the global game and accumulation of situations and problems. In this sense, the community of shared future for mankind is not a product of shouting, but of the unification of historical generation and ideological construction. China’s advocacy of common values for humanity is not diplomatic parlance of “enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven”, nor is it the “New Tianxia-ism” that some fear, but a conscious awareness that “we share a community”. In contrast, the West’s so-called “values strategy”, its “obsession” with setting norms of common values for humanity and their struggle for right of speech, reflect nothing but their misconceptions. Besides, they are accustomed to finding fault with China according to their values of “human rights, democracy and freedom”, and groundlessly labeling China as “revisionism” and “pragmatism” from time to time, which shows that the value theory and method based on the interests of limited subjects have been outdated.
Mutual learning among civilizations and subjective thinking
On May 1, 2019, Qiushi Journal published an important article by General Secretary Xi Jinping, entitled “Exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations form an important drive for human progress and global peace and development”, which elaborated on the importance of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations in maintaining global peace and development and driving human progress. The concept of “mutual learning among civilizations” is similar to Mr. Fei Xiaotong’s idea that “Every form of beauty has its uniqueness, Precious is to appreciate other forms of beauty with openness. If beauty represents itself with diversity and integrity, the world will be blessed with harmony and unity.” and to what Professor Le Daiyun calls “sympathetic understanding” in cross-cultural communication. However, the principle of a pluralistic and rational approach to international relations that transcends bipolar thinking at the national level shows a greater vision. The purpose of “mutual learning” is to “build together”, and building together still requires first and foremost doing things one should do well. The significance of “recognizing pluralism and insisting on subjectivity” as a value theory and breakthrough in its way of thinking is becoming increasingly apparent, but it is a major and difficult process to make it truly effective.
To have the vision and horizons of “all humanity” is by no means easy, which requires to break the habitual thought of “black/white binary opposition”. Without understanding or accepting the idea of the plurality and multiplicity of “subjects”, it is impossible to imagine the reality of “quasi-subject” as one of them. “Mutual learning” itself is necessarily a two-way street, and a reality that has been practiced for many years, which does not require to start from scratch to compile a list of “correct values”. Some of the misunderstandings and confusions about common values of humanity reveal in a focused way the dilemmas facing theory and method under the influence of traditional values, and test the theoretical understanding and use of values. It is the duty of Marxist theorists to rise to the level of “reflecting on values”, to analyze the diverse values, to confront the common conditions of existence and development of all nations and peoples, and to work together to build a community of shared future for mankind.
Ths author is Huang Kaifeng, Director of Institute of Chinese Marxism and Dean of School of Marxism of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Researcher of Shanghai Research Center of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
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