Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of Chinese nation. Chinese civilization has represented the profound spiritual pursuit of the Chinese nation, and provided a rich source of strength for its lasting development. The Chinese Dream is rooted in Chinese culture to reflect the aspirations of Chinese people, and meets the needs of China and the times for development and progress. It has a long history and extensive realistic foundation. In order to achieve the Chinese Dream, it is necessary to absorb fine traditional Chinese culture, enhance the cohesiveness of the Chinese nation and consolidate the philosophical foundation for Chinese people to pursue the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The Chinese Dream has root. Some ancient civilizations co-existed with Chinese civilization in history have disappeared, or been transformed, or lost their ability to survive independently. Only Chinese civilization remains vigorous and vibrant in the world with its self-sustained connotations. The root of the Chinese nation lies in its national spirit and culture. We should not lose our root and soul regardless of history, changes of the times, reform and transformation of society. Throughout the world history, a nation’s revitalization in culture and boost in spirit are always prior to its national rejuvenation. Culture is the carrier of spirit while spirit is the soul of the nation. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation must rely on the support and robust drive.of national spirit.
Culture nourishes spirits. The modernization enabled us to be moderately prosperous in material with little attention to our spiritual world. Chinese civilization features profound deposits of people-to-people and cultural concepts. As stated in The Book of Changes, “It’s the law of heaven that the hard and soft interweave; it is a rule of humans that they should observe the rites and conduct restraint. By observing the movement of constellations, we can learn about the change of seasons; by observing development of human culture, we can enlighten the people and build a civilized society,” and Confucian Analects, “By cultivating respect for the dead, and carrying the memory back to the distant past, the moral feeling of the people will waken and grow in depth.”, by cultivating respect for the dead, and carrying the memory back to the distant past, it means learning the lessons of history and reminding people of their root and soul.
The times calls for new civilizations. It is hoped to shape an over-confident person into a peaceful one and build a new harmonious world. The cultural traditions of the Chinese nation are needed to adapt to building new form of civilization, which is the support of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Dream in values.
Such cultural foundation and support in values will not only benefit Chinese people as well peoples in the world. The peaceful development of China offered a new development path utterly different from the previous pattern where a rising power was bound to seek hegemony. Since the reform and opening-up, China has blazed a new path of peaceful development in which China develops itself by striving for a peaceful international environment and promotes the world peace through its own development. The path of peaceful development that China has taken is not for persuading, pleasing or deceiving anyone but a strategic choice in light of its own national conditions and cultural traditions, fundamental interests and long-term interests. British Historian Dr.Arnold Toynbee noted that China, as a Eastern giant power, has long pledged never to seek hegemony. “China, who has nurtured a unique way of thinking for 2000 years, is the only nation that is well-prepared for avoiding killing mankind itself.” he said after comparing civilizations in the world. This unique way of thinking includes “unity of heaven and man”, “integrity”, “benevolence”, “harmony” and “harmony in diversity”.
When facing the ecological crisis caused by traditional industrial civilization, we need to build a new relation between mankind and nature; when facing the hegemony imposed by Western Civilization, we need to build a new relation between mankind and society; when facing overwhelming pursuit of Western Civilization for material, business and market benefits, we need to build a new relationship across people. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is sure to blaze a new ground and the Chinese nation is sure to make greater contributions to a harmonious world.