Learn about Chinese Cultural Influence on Asia to Push Forward All-Round Development of Sino-U.S. Relations

Sino-U.S. relations have gone through many unpredictable changes in 2010. The Obama administration’s high-profile words and low-profile actions have cause many problems for Sino-U.S. relations in the fields of the economy, the military, regional stability and security. The meeting with the Dalai Lama, the arms sales to Taiwan and the dispute over the RMB exchange rates are all examples showing that the U.S. government has unilaterally undermined the normal relations between the two nations by neglecting the fundamental interests of the Chinese people.

China, an ancient civilization 5000 years old, has a long history and splendid culture. As the core value of the Chinese nation, Confucianism dates back thousands of years and had a significant role in shaping the cohesiveness, solidarity and enterprising spirits of the Chinese people and in contributing to China’s unity, stability and development. At the same time, the Confucian culture is an important part of the civilization of human beings in general, and it has profound influence on the development of both eastern cultures and world cultures. It has great impact on the political culture in the East Asia, Middle East and Southeast Asia in particular, and helps to shore up Chinese culture’s unshakable status in the Asian cultural system. The essence of Confucianism is benevolence, righteousness, propriety, knowledge and integrity, which emphasizes the value of upholding peace, being against war and advocating peaceful co-existence.

2011 is the first year of China’s 12th 10-year plan, and President Hu Jintao is paying a state visit to America between Jan.18 and 21. Yet, not long ago, in 2010, the U.S. government not only turned a deaf ear to the voices of the Chinese government and its people, but also acted against the interests of the Chinese people by President Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama, the arms sales to Taiwan and interfering China’s internal affairs. America encouraged Japan and South Korea to carry out a series of naval military drills in Asia, exacerbating the conflict on the Korean peninsula, and consequently creating tension around East Asia and undermining the good atmosphere of peace and friendliness in the area. President Hu Jintao’s state visit to America at the beginning of this year is the effort China is making, with the Confucian value of openness and tolerance, towards a harmonious development of Sino-U.S. relations and world peace.

Therefore America should show some sincerity and carry out dialogues with honesty and friendliness regarding international affairs, environmental issues, the financial crisis, the RMB exchange rate and the North Korea nuclear issue, to make a joint effort with China towards a harmonious world. The Chinese nation places Confucianism at the core of its culture, leading to the significant soft power wielded by Chinese culture. The most important thought in Chinese culture is placing people at the forefront of everything, a moral rule considered a universal value for both individuals and society. Therefore, at the 11th Ambassadorial Conference, President Hu Jintao emphasized that “we should strengthen public and cultural diplomacy, carry out various forms of cultural exchange activities with other countries and steadily introduce Chinese culture to the outside world.” All this shows that China is willing to push for the peaceful development of the world through tolerance and its love for humanity.

The combination of modern culture and the spirit of Confucius has shown great power among the developed Asian countries in the new era. This is also the inherent value of the Chinese culture, which does not prevail by depending on military or brute force, nor by the showing-off of its wealth, but through its cultural influence and spiritual cohesiveness. A Chinese cultural circle, with the 5000-year-old Chinese culture as its core, has been formed in Asia, and this has helped the world to learn more about China. This way, if they learn about China, they learn about Asia, because the long history of the influence of Confucianism on Japan, North and South Korea, Vietnam and other neighbors is there for everyone to see. Asian culture, with Chinese culture as its core, cannot and will not be replaced or shifted, not even under the threat of brute force. Therefore America should show its sincerity in maintaining the world and regional peace through carrying out dialogues with the Chinese government. Any military threat would only make things worse.

Recently, Huang Chenhao, an experienced analyst, has written an article saying that “in terms of soft power in Asia, America has nothing on China.” The article explains the centrality of Chinese culture in the Asian cultural system by pointing out the fact that Chinese civilization and Confucian culture has been influential on surrounding Asian countries for 2000 years. He raises the example of the dressing custom in Guizhou province in China, pointing out that Chinese culture is not dominated by the Han Chinese but is instead shared by all Asian cultures. In addition, in international relations in the past, western countries have neglected one important matter: Asia’s concerns are China’s concerns, that is to say, as long as China’s concerns are settled properly, there will be a stable and prosperous Asia.

Therefore, whether facing the North Korea nuclear issue, the dispute over the RMB exchange rate, environmental issues or the financial crisis, America should show its sincerity in pushing forward the steady development of Sino-U.S. relations by adding real action to the relationship. Just as Peng Guangqian, a military strategy expert said, “If China and America can strengthen their mutual trust and reach a consensus on more issues, it will be positive for the security situation in Asia-Pacific region and helpful regarding many hot issues around the world. But all this depends on America’s attitude toward China; that is to say, whether America really respects China’s rights as a sovereign country, whether it treats China as its equal regarding peaceful development, whether it gives up its attempts at hegemony, its Cold War mode of thinking and treats other countries equally.”