Culture is the bloodline of a nation, and spiritual home of people. China, as one of the ancient civilizations with a long history of five thousand years, features abundant and splendid cultural resources, especially ethnic and folk cultural resources, serving as an unique advantage for Chinese culture to go global.
Since the reform and opening-up, the rest of the world has a strong desire to deepen their understanding and recognition of China from different angles as China has seen rapid improvement in overall national strength and international status, as well as in-depth and fast development of globalization.
There are various problems rising in terms of cultural transmission: the “going global” just appears to be shallow because of the obstacles of languages and cultures; the products introducing the history and current circumstances of China are scarce; the cultural events targeted for foreigners are mostly attended by “familiar faces”; foreign cultural exchanges have been developed into self-entertainment projects; believing that culture equals to art; foreigners are misled into thinking that Chinese culture is about songs and dances as Chinese cultural and art groups have been frequently staged at the international arena to perform songs and dances in the pursuit of scale, speed and sensational effects.
Against the new historical background, every Chinese people shares an urgent desire for the prosperity and rejuvenation of Chinese nation. Nowadays, we are so closer than ever to this goal that want to win recognition from other countries desperately. Therefore, it is expected to blaze a new path with historical terms and international vision, and draw upon experience and nutrition from the successful practice of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries throughout the history.
Cultural transmission is a natural and progressive process. Throughout the history, the overseas cultural influence of a nation are closely related to its prosperity. In Chinese history, the tributary scenery of all nations is a result of favorable national and social development. Therefore, China will see a great leap in international transmission and influence as long as we continue to maintain the momentum of development and forge our own course.
Cultural transmission has been attached to business exchanges rather that an isolated social behavior. The foreign cultures including three major religions in the world have been introduced to China along with the camel caravans in silk road and business vessels in maritime routes. Meanwhile, some traditional Chinese philosophies and inventions, such as paper-making and printing press, have been brought to the world through silk, porcelain and tea. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz and the Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) from Germany have been broadcasting its image of rigidness and down-to-earthness to the world, American films and smart phone “Apple” showcasing their values of adventure and novelty when earning business interests.
It is of little effect and unsustainable for Chinese culture to go global by virtue of free access to it. China is expected to create more quality products in order to include culture into products and carry forward the spirits in business. To this extent, whether it is possible for Chinese culture to surmount the obstacles and go global is largely determined by the sales of the fine cultural products.
The root and soul of Chinese culture are embedded in the people. Chinese culture is derived from the grass roots as well, Without extensive participation at grass roots level, cultural transmission will be of no significance and lacking in internal impetus. Regarding international cultural exchanges, it is a general trend to ensure the major role of government in cultural transmission. The governmental departments are hoped to further transform its functions, remove restrictions and obstacles in cultural development and fully unleash the potential of Chinese civilians and overseas Chinese, allowing non-governmental forces and elites to release energy in international competition.
The peoples in the wold have nurtured and created their own traditions and cultures that comprise the colorful human civilizations. Chinese culture should showcase its resolution and style of the ocean which rejects no rivers, respect the traditions and cultures of all countries and pay equal attention to “bringing in” and “going global” instead of one-way cultural export. Many foreign friends hail China mostly for its modesty. With the increase of national strength, we need to be alert to the tendency of arrogance so as to ensure a smooth and long-term path of Chinese culture.