Cultural Realm: Conversations with Friends from China and Abroad

Author: Sun Jiazheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Sun Jiazheng is the representative of Chinese culture, an advocate and participant in building a global pluralistic cultural landscape, and a thoughtful conversationalist. He once said, "People need to vent, but they also need to listen. Listening is often more important than venting. Both venting and listening require the heart." When hearts connect, understanding follows. 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 straightforward, gentle, and able to confront current issues and their root causes head-on. This book is compiled from the recorded transcripts of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Culture's External Relations Bureau. All the chapters and subtopics are drawn 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 notable figures to assist readers. The main text strives to remain faithful to the original conversations. In the face of the complex and ever-changing international situation, Sun Jiazheng naturally expresses his solemn stance, with reason, emotion, benefit, and restraint. The tone of these conversations is open and straightforward, yet it often sparkles with philosophical insights and the radiance of ideals. The exchanges between wise minds are vivid and engaging. Sun Jiazheng is the representative of Chinese culture, an advocate and participant in building a global pluralistic cultural landscape, and a thoughtful conversationalist. He once said, "People need to vent, but they also need to listen. Listening is often more important than venting. Both venting and listening require the heart." When hearts connect, understanding follows. 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 straightforward, gentle, and able to confront current issues and their root causes head-on. This book is compiled from the recorded transcripts of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Culture's External Relations Bureau. All the chapters and subtopics are drawn 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 notable figures to assist readers. The main text strives to remain faithful to the original conversations. In the face of the complex and ever-changing international situation, Sun Jiazheng naturally expresses his solemn stance, with reason, emotion, benefit, and restraint. The tone of these conversations is open and straightforward, yet it often sparkles with philosophical insights and the radiance of ideals. The exchanges between wise minds are vivid and engaging.