Great Nation (Issue 3)

Author: Gao Quanxi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-22
Features: China, anciently known as Huaxia, is a vast nation with millennia of tradition. From its humble beginnings to the era of globalization, the arduous journey has embodied the boundless wisdom of its people in constructing and maintaining a civilized state. Throughout the history of human civilization, there have been countless instances of hegemonic shifts and the rise and fall of great powers. Learning from the past to understand the present, what we call a "great nation" is not merely this. From the era of Yao, Shun, and Yu to the modern nation-state, the Chinese people rely on the ancient saying: "The sea embraces all rivers, and only with tolerance can one be great." Some say, "Greatness is akin to old age" (Erya). Others say, "Greatness is a term for multitude." Indeed, "greatness brings great challenges." However, others argue, "Greatness is righteousness" (I Ching). "To be full and radiant is to be great" (Mencius). The Zuo Zhuan states: "A nation, like heaven and earth, has its origins." The title The Birth of a Great Nation aims to explore the principles of China, as an ancient civilized nation, in its self-positioning and establishment in the modern international community. Let us work together to draw some intellectual wisdom from the vast ocean of ancient and modern, Eastern and Western insights.