Cultural Realm and Conversations with Chinese and Foreign Friends

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 global pluralistic cultural landscape, and a thoughtful 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." With the heart as a mirror, hearts can connect. 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 naturally confident in culture. This confidence, however, makes him more straightforward, gentle, and more willing to confront current issues and problems. This book is compiled from the transcripts of recordings made by the Reception Office 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 meetings and conversations, with brief annotations for notable 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. He is reasonable, emotional, strategic, and measured. Openness and simplicity are the tone of these conversations, but they also occasionally reveal the depth of a philosopher's thoughts and the brilliance of ideals. The exchanges between wise minds are vivid and engaging. Sun Jiazheng is the spokesperson 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, and they also need to listen. Listening is often more important than venting. Both venting and listening require the heart." With the heart as a mirror, hearts can connect. 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 naturally confident in culture. This confidence, however, makes him more straightforward, gentle, and more willing to confront current issues and problems. This book is compiled from the transcripts of recordings made by the Reception Office 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 meetings and conversations, with brief annotations for notable 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. He is reasonable, emotional, strategic, and measured. Openness and simplicity are the tone of these conversations, but they also occasionally reveal the depth of a philosopher's thoughts and the brilliance of ideals. The exchanges between wise minds are vivid and engaging.