“Great Unity” Is the Root of Chinese Civilization
The core of the Chinese civilization is its ability to achieve “great unity.” This concept was conceived during the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States periods (770-221 BC). At that time, Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, Legalism, and other schools of thought all had a goal of “achieving unity.” Over the following thousands of years, “great unity” became Chinese dynasties’ pursuit of governance and conception of value to solve political contradictions, respond to political challenges, consolidate territories, and improve the ruling system. It was not only the goal of the rulers and the theory of governing the country but also became an ideology deeply rooted in Chinese people’s minds.
Why is “great unity” the root of the Chinese civilization?
First, the concept forges a centralized and unified political form of the country. “Power in the central leadership” (central unified leadership), national unity, and the prefecture and county system are the three political elements of it. A unified centralized governance system conforms to the reality that China has a vast territory, a large and dispersed population, and complex ethnic groups. Today, it is embodied in upholding and improving the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and other fundamental systems of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Second, the concept helps to construct a community of the Chinese nation united in diversity. It is this notion and the practice of it in governance that has resulted in the unity of the Chinese nation for such a long time. Today, it is embodied in the adherence to and improvement of such basic socialist systems in China as regional autonomy of ethnic minority groups and self-governance at the community level.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of China Today (English).
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This story is from the April 2020 edition of China Today (English).
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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