Cultural Realm -- Conversations with Friends from China and Abroad

Author: Sun Jiazheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Sun Jiazheng is the spokesperson of Chinese culture, an advocate and participant in building a diverse global cultural landscape, and a sincere conversationalist. He once said, "People need to vent, and they also need to listen. Listening is often more important than venting. Both venting and listening require the heart." When the heart meets the heart, understanding can be achieved. From this book, we can see Sun Jiazheng becoming friends with many visitors, his reflections on cultural evolution and institutional reform, his sincere consultations with Chinese and foreign friends on the internationalization of the cultural industry, and his determination to uphold the independent character of Chinese culture and expand its international influence. As the Minister of Culture of a country with a 5,000-year civilization, he is certainly not lacking in cultural confidence, which makes him even more candid, gentle, and able to confront the issues and problems of today. This book is compiled from the transcripts of recordings made by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Culture's External Relations Bureau. All chapters and subtopics are derived from conversations between Sun Jiazheng and Chinese and foreign friends. Below each chapter, notes or prefaces are provided to explain the key points of the meetings and conversations, with brief annotations for important figures to assist readers. The main text strives to remain faithful to the original conversations.
Facing the complex and ever-changing international situation, Sun Jiazheng naturally expresses his solemn stance, with reason, emotion, benefit, and restraint. Openness and simplicity are the of these conversations, but they also occasionally reveal the depth of philosophical thought and the brilliance of ideals. The exchanges and debates between wise individuals are vividly portrayed. Sun Jiazheng is the spokesperson of Chinese culture, an advocate and participant in building a diverse global cultural landscape, and a sincere conversationalist. He once said, "People need to vent, and they also need to listen. Listening is often more important than venting. Both venting and listening require the heart." When the heart meets the heart, understanding can be achieved. From this book, we can see Sun Jiazheng becoming friends with many visitors, his reflections on cultural evolution and institutional reform, his sincere consultations with Chinese and foreign friends on the internationalization of the cultural industry, and his determination to uphold the independent character of Chinese culture and expand its international influence. As the Minister of Culture of a country with a 5,000-year civilization, he is certainly not lacking in cultural confidence, which makes him even more candid, gentle, and able to confront the issues and problems of today. This book is compiled from the transcripts of recordings made by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Culture's External Relations Bureau. All chapters and subtopics are derived from conversations between Sun Jiazheng and Chinese and foreign friends. Below each chapter, notes or prefaces are provided to explain the key points of the meetings and conversations, with brief annotations for important figures to assist readers. The main text strives to remain faithful to the original conversations.
Facing the complex and ever-changing international situation, Sun Jiazheng naturally expresses his solemn stance, with reason, emotion, benefit, and restraint. Openness and simplicity are the of these conversations, but they also occasionally reveal the depth of philosophical thought and the brilliance of ideals. The exchanges and debates between wise individuals are vividly portrayed.