A Profound Understanding of the Value Implications of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

The thought of building a community with a shared future for mankind is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and a lofty goal pursued by major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. Promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind has been explicitly designated as one of the essential requirements of Chinese-path modernization, endowing Chinese-path modernization with a lofty mission. This lofty mission is rooted in the civilizational genes of the Chinese nation and originates from the historical inevitability of the Communist Party of China seeking happiness for the Chinese people, rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and harmony for the world. This concept embodies the worldview and values of Chinese Communists; it not only points out the direction of progress for world civilization but also demonstrates China's firm commitment and contribution to global harmony and shared prosperity. A profound understanding of the value implications of building a community with a shared future for mankind is of great significance for promoting the transformation of this concept from value cognition into value consensus and value identification, from idea into action, and from vision into reality. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is a scientific theoretical system that is lofty in conception, profound in thought, and constantly developing. Its value implications can be analyzed from multiple dimensions, including its value subject, value foundation, value criteria, value goal, and value realization.

构建人类命运共同体思想是习近平外交思想的重要内容，是新时代中国特色大国外交追求的崇高目标。推动构建人类命运共同体被明确为中国式现代化的本质要求之一，赋予中国式现代化崇高的使命。这一崇高使命根植于中华民族的文明基因，源自中国共产党为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴、为世界谋大同的历史必然。这一理念体现了中国共产党人的世界观和价值观，不仅指明了世界文明进步的方向，更展示了中国对于全球和谐共荣的坚定承诺和贡献。深刻理解构建人类命运共同体的价值意蕴，对于推动构建人类命运共同体从价值认识转化为价值共识、价值认同，从理念转化为行动、从愿景转变为现实，具有重要意义。构建人类命运共同体是一个立意高远、思想深邃，并且不断发展的科学理论体系，它的价值意涵可以从其价值主体、价值基础、价值准则、价值目标、价值实现等多个维度来加以解析。

Value Subject: Real “Humanity” Rather Than Abstract “Humanity”

价值主体：现实的“人类”而非抽象的“人类”

The value subject of building a community with a shared future for mankind is concrete, real “humanity,” rather than a general, abstract concept of “humanity.” Through his critique of the concept of “abstract man” and his important elaboration emphasizing the analysis of “real individuals,” as well as his historical and practical exploration of the question of human nature, Marx provided a substantive program for human society to understand and transform the real world. The thought of building a community with a shared future for mankind embodies Marxism’s concern for real human problems, focusing on the value construction of common interests and responsibilities in human reality. Currently, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and the global governance system is undergoing profound reshaping. On the one hand, the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. With the deepening development of globalization, the economic, political, social, and cultural interpenetration and interdependence among countries in the world are continuously increasing, and global problems are multiplying. On the other hand, the international landscape is evolving rapidly; the appeal of the original global governance system, influenced by Western-centrism, and its governance concepts is increasingly declining. In recent years, a very strong populism has emerged within a large number of Western countries, trade protectionism is prevalent, political party extremism is severe, and hegemonism and power politics are rampant. This has led to an increase in the global deficit of peace, security, trust, and governance, and the global governance system is facing a serious crisis.

构建人类命运共同体的价值主体是具体的、现实的“人类”，而非笼统的、抽象的“人类”概念。马克思通过对“抽象的人”概念的批判和强调分析“现实的人”概念的重要阐述，以及对人的本质问题进行的历史和实践性探讨，为人类社会认识现实世界、改造现实世界提供了实质性方案。构建人类命运共同体思想蕴含着马克思主义对人类现实问题的关注，注重人类现实中共同利益和责任的价值建构。当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，全球治理体系正在深刻重塑。一方面，世界进入新的动荡变革期。随着全球化的深入发展，世界各国在经济、政治、社会、文化等方面相互渗透、相互依存不断加深，全球性问题日益增多。另一方面，国际格局加速演变，受西方中心主义影响的原有全球治理体系及其治理理念的号召力日益衰落。近年来，一大批西方国家内部出现了非常强烈的民粹主义，贸易保护主义流行、政党极端化情绪严重，霸权主义、强权政治盛行，使得全球和平赤字、安全赤字、信任赤字、治理赤字有增无减，全球治理体系面临着严重的危机。

Against this backdrop, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind is precisely a response to the real problems of contemporary global governance. This thought emphasizes that all countries should abandon zero-sum game thinking and jointly address global challenges on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation. This concept is not only a response to global governance issues but also reflects a high regard for the practical characteristics of humanity. It calls on countries to transcend narrow national interests, take responsibility for the common interests of humanity, and promote global peace and development. This thought provides a completely new perspective and program for global governance, contributing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the peace, stability, and development of all countries in the world.

在此背景下，习近平总书记提出构建人类命运共同体，正是针对当今全球治理现实问题的应对之策。该思想强调各国应该摒弃零和博弈的思维，以合作共赢为基础，共同应对全球性挑战。这种理念不仅是对全球治理问题的回应，更体现了对人类实践特性的高度重视。它呼唤各国超越狭隘的国家利益，为人类的共同利益负责，促进全球的和平与发展。这一思想为全球治理提供了全新的视角和方案，为世界各国的和平、稳定与发展贡献出中国智慧、中国方案、中国力量。

Value Foundation: “Common Values” Rather Than “Universal Values”

价值基础：“共同价值”而非“普世价值”

The value foundation of building a community with a shared future for mankind is “the common values of all humanity,” rather than “Western universal values.” On September 28, 2015, when attending the General Debate of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Xi Jinping proposed for the first time that “peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom are the common values of all humanity and also the lofty goals of the United Nations.”

构建人类命运共同体的价值基础是“全人类共同价值”，而非“西方普世价值”。2015年9月28日，习近平主席在出席第七十届联合国大会一般性辩论时，首次提出“和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由，是全人类的共同价值，也是联合国的崇高目标”。

Subsequently, on many international occasions, he mentioned and deeply elaborated on the rich connotations of this value concept and its great significance for building a better world. The common values of all humanity are the value foundation for building a community with a shared future for mankind, while building a community with a shared future for mankind is an important vehicle for the common values of all humanity. The common values of all humanity acknowledge that different countries and different nations have individuality, particularity, and difference, yet they also possess common human interests and values. Peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom are the common pursuits of the people of all countries. We should jointly advocate and promote the common values of all humanity, understand with broad-mindedness the different understandings of value connotations among different civilizations, refrain from imposing one’s own values and models on others, and avoid ideological confrontation.

此后，他在许多国际场合，提及并深入阐释了这一价值理念的丰富内涵及其对构建美好世界的重大意义。全人类共同价值是构建人类命运共同体的价值基础，而构建人类命运共同体是全人类共同价值的重要载体。全人类共同价值承认不同国家、不同民族存在着个体性、特殊性、差异性，但又存在着人类共同利益和价值观。和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由是各国人民的共同追求。我们要共同倡导弘扬全人类共同价值，以宽广胸怀理解不同文明对价值内涵的认识，不将自己的价值观和模式强加于人，不搞意识形态对抗。

In contrast, the United States and other Western countries, under the slogans of “freedom, democracy, and human rights,” preach so-called “universal values” to other countries, which is essentially the implementation of their hegemonism and power politics. This practice violates the basic norms of international law and international relations, undermines the stability of the international order, and causes international and regional turbulence. In the process of building a community with a shared future for mankind, we need to be vigilant against the interference and disruption of Western universal values, adhere to the principles and concepts of the common values of all humanity, and promote constructive international cooperation and the improvement of the global governance system. Building a community with a shared future for mankind aims to establish a more just, reasonable, and sustainable world order and to promote peace, development, and cooperation among countries. The realization of this goal must be based on the common values of all humanity, with all countries respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, not interfering in each other’s internal affairs, abiding by international law and the basic norms of international relations, promoting constructive international cooperation, and jointly addressing global challenges.

相较而言，美国等西方国家打着“自由、民主、人权”的口号，向其他国家鼓吹所谓的“普世价值”，实质上是推行其霸权主义和强权政治。这种做法违背了国际法和国际关系基本准则，破坏了国际秩序的稳定，造成国际及地区动荡。在构建人类命运共同体的过程中，我们需要警惕西方普世价值的干扰和破坏，坚持全人类共同价值的原则和理念，促进建设性的国际合作和全球治理体系的完善。构建人类命运共同体旨在建立一个更加公正、合理和可持续的世界秩序，促进各国之间的和平、发展与合作。这一目标的实现必须建立在全人类共同价值的基础上，各国尊重彼此的主权和领土完整，不干涉他国内政，遵守国际法和国际关系基本准则，推动建设性的国际合作，共同应对全球性挑战。

Value Criteria: “Theory of Civilizational Equality” Rather Than “Theory of Civilizational Superiority and Inferiority”

价值准则：“文明平等论”而非“文明优劣论”

The value criteria for building a community with a shared future for mankind are the “theory of civilizational equality” and the “theory of civilizational exchange and mutual learning,” rather than the “theory of civilizational superiority and inferiority” and the “theory of civilizational clash.” These value criteria embody respect for and tolerance of different civilizations and also reveal the inevitable trend of the development of human civilization. Cultural diversity is the common heritage of humanity; different civilizations all have their unique values and contributions and should respect each other and treat each other as equals. Different civilizations should learn from and draw on each other. Through exchange and mutual learning, understanding and trust between different civilizations can be enhanced, promoting the innovation and development of human civilization. On March 15, 2023, at the High-level Dialogue between the Communist Party of China and World Political Parties, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the “Global Civilization Initiative,” calling on the international community to enhance dialogue and exchange among civilizations and promote cultural prosperity and development. The “theory of civilizational equality” and the “theory of civilizational exchange and mutual learning” emphasize the equality, respect, and mutual benefit among different civilizations, which aligns with the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. In the process of building a community with a shared future for mankind, it is necessary to establish cultural confidence, respect the independent choices and development paths of all countries, and promote equal cooperation and mutual benefit among countries.

构建人类命运共同体的价值准则是“文明平等论”“文明交流互鉴论”，而非“文明优劣论”“文明冲突论”，这一价值准则体现了对不同文明的尊重和包容，也揭示了人类文明发展的必然趋势。文化多样性是人类的共同遗产，不同文明都有其独特的价值和贡献，应该相互尊重、平等相待；不同文明之间应该相互学习、相互借鉴，通过交流互鉴，可以增进不同文明之间的理解和信任，推动人类文明的创新和发展。2023年3月15日，习近平总书记在中国共产党与世界政党高层对话会上提出“全球文明倡议”，呼吁国际社会增进文明对话交流、促进文化繁荣发展。“文明平等论”“文明交流互鉴论”强调不同文明的平等、尊重和互利共赢，这与构建人类命运体的理念相契合。在构建人类命运共同体的过程中，需要树立文化自信，尊重各国的自主选择和发展道路，推动各国之间的平等合作和互利共赢。

In contrast, the “theory of civilizational superiority and inferiority” and the “theory of civilizational clash” are theories based on prejudice and discrimination. The former regards certain civilizations as superior or inferior, which easily leads to discrimination against and exclusion of other civilizations. The latter holds that there are irreconcilable contradictions and conflicts between different civilizations; this concept easily incites opposition and war between civilizations. Both of these theories run counter to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and are detrimental to the progress and development of human society. Therefore, we should adhere to the “theory of civilizational equality” and the “theory of civilizational exchange and mutual learning,” promote exchange and cooperation between different civilizations, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.

相比之下，“文明优劣论”“文明冲突论”则是基于偏见和歧视的理论。前者将某些文明视为优越或低劣，容易导致对其他文明的歧视和排斥；后者则认为不同文明之间存在不可调和的矛盾和冲突，这种观念容易引发文明之间的对立和战争。这两种理论都与构建人类命运共同体的理念相悖，不利于人类社会的进步和发展。因此，我们应该坚持“文明平等论”“文明交流互鉴论”，推动不同文明之间的交流与合作，共同构建人类命运共同体。

Value Goal: “Realizing the Beauty of Each and the Common Good of All, a World of Great Harmony” [1]1 "Realizing that beauty is to be shared and the world is to be held in common" (美美与共，天下大同) is a classical Chinese ideal derived from the Confucian concept of Datong (Great Harmony) in the Book of Rites, popularized by sociologist Fei Xiaotong to advocate for mutual appreciation of diverse cultures.

价值目标：“美美与共，天下大同”

The value concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has exerted an important influence worldwide, playing a value-guiding role in the development and progress of Chinese civilization, Eastern civilization, and human civilization. "Realizing that beauty is to be shared and the world is to be held in common" [1]1 "Realizing that beauty is to be shared and the world is to be held in common" (美美与共，天下大同) is a classical Chinese ideal derived from the Confucian concept of Datong (Great Harmony) in the Book of Rites, popularized by sociologist Fei Xiaotong to advocate for mutual appreciation of diverse cultures. is an inherent requirement of building a community with a shared future for mankind, intrinsically revealing the value goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind. The value pursuit of "the world is to be held in common" has been the Chinese nation's longing for a beautiful world since ancient times, highly compatible with the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. In urgently responding to the global expectation of "where is the world heading," China continuously advances the Two Integrations, strengthens historical initiative, upholds the humanistic sentiment of "taking the world as one's own responsibility," and proposes building a community with a shared future for mankind. In recent years, in the practice of continuously promoting people-to-people bonds through the Belt and Road Initiative, China has painted with the world a picture of diverse dialogues and people-to-people exchanges, continuously consolidating the humanistic foundation for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Respecting cultural diversity is an inevitable requirement for achieving mutual learning, mutual progress, and common development among countries in the world. The cultural mentality of "realizing that beauty is to be shared" and "each realizing its own beauty" means that the excellent cultures of various ethnic groups and countries tolerate and learn from each other, acknowledge the existence of different value standards, and on this basis establish common value standards, ultimately achieving the realm of "realizing that beauty is to be shared and the world is to be held in common."

构建人类命运共同体的价值理念在全世界发挥出重要的影响力，对中华文明、东方文明以及人类文明发展进步起着价值指引作用。“美美与共，天下大同”是构建人类命运共同体的题中应有之义，内在揭示构建人类命运共同体的价值目标。“天下大同”的价值追求是中华民族自古以来对人类美好世界的憧憬，同人类命运共同体理念高度契合。在迫切回应“世界向何处去”的全球期待面前，中国不断推进“两个结合”，增强历史主动，秉持“以天下为己任”的人文情怀，提出构建人类命运共同体。近年来，中国在不断促进共建“一带一路”民心相通的实践中，与世界共绘一幅幅多元对话的人文交流图景，不断夯实构建人类命运共同体的人文基础。尊重文化的多样性是实现世界各国互鉴共进、共同发展的必然要求。“美美与共”“各美其美”的文化心态，即是各个民族、各个国家的优秀文化互相包容、互相学习，承认不同价值标准的存在，并在此基础上建立共同的价值标准，最终实现“美美与共，天下大同”的境界。

Building a community with a shared future for mankind is a value concept based on transcending differences in different ideologies to jointly build a beautiful world and jointly safeguard the destiny of all humanity. This is a vision of human civilization development from the proletariat, focusing on the future and destiny of all humanity, transcending the instrumental value of political communities and the utilitarian limitations of interest communities. This does not mean replacing one system with another, nor does it mean replacing one civilization with another, but rather a global development plan and global governance plan proposed in response to the changes unseen in a century.

构建人类命运共同体是基于超越不同意识形态差别所形成共建美好世界、共同守护全人类命运的价值理念，这是无产阶级着眼于全人类前途命运高度的人类文明发展图景，超越了政治共同体的工具性价值，跨越了利益共同体的功利性限制。这并不意味着用一种制度替代另一种制度，也不意味着用一种文明取代另一种文明，而是应对世界百年未有之大变局提出的全球发展方案和全球治理方案。

Guided by the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Chinese nation, embracing the principle of "each realizing its own beauty and appreciating the beauty of others," while spreading Chinese culture to the world, promotes dialogue and exchange among different civilizations, and joins hands with countries around the world to build a garden of world civilizations where "beauty is to be shared and the world is to be held in common."

在构建人类命运共同体理念指引下，胸怀“各美其美，美人之美”的中华民族，在向世界传播中华文化的同时，推动不同文明交流对话，与世界各国携手共筑“美美与共，天下大同”的世界文明百花园。

Value Realization: The Path of Peaceful Development in Modernization

价值实现：走和平发展道路的现代化

China adheres to the methodological consciousness of coordinating the advancement of Chinese-path modernization with the creation of a new form of human civilization, both advancing the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and promoting the historical process of human civilization progress. The modernization China pursues is not a modernization that seeks to develop in isolation. China's realization of modernization represents the growth of forces for world peace and the strengthening of forces for international justice. China seeks its own development while firmly safeguarding world peace and development, and in turn, better safeguards world peace and development through its own development.

中国坚持推进中国式现代化与创造人类文明新形态相协同的方法自觉，既推进中华民族伟大复兴历史进程，又推动人类文明进步历史进程。中国追求的不是独善其身的现代化。中国实现现代化是世界和平力量的增长，是国际正义力量的壮大。中国在坚定维护世界和平与发展中谋求自身发展，又以自身发展更好维护世界和平与发展。

China's path of peaceful development in modernization is a conclusion drawn from an objective judgment of history, reality, and the future, and is an organic unity of confidence in the theory and practical consciousness. This confidence in the theory and practical consciousness stems from the profound heritage of Chinese civilization, from the rational understanding of the practical exploration of Chinese-path modernization, and from a profound grasp of the general trend of world development. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "What is passed down in Chinese civilization is the concept of peace, harmony, and concord; China has no gene for external aggression and expansion." [2]2 This quotation is from Xi Jinping's speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in May 2019. Whether it is the principle of "valuing harmony above all else," the value goal of "the world is to be held in common," or the spirit of responsibility of "the strong do not bully the weak," the pursuit of peace is deeply rooted in the spiritual genes of the Chinese nation. Since the founding of New China, China has not actively provoked any war or conflict; it is a major country that has enshrined peaceful development in its constitution and the charter of the ruling party, elevating it to a national will. China's inheritance and pursuit of the concepts of peace, harmony, and concord, by developing itself through safeguarding world peace and safeguarding world peace through its own development, allows us to always stand on the right side of history and on the side of human civilization progress.

中国走和平发展道路的现代化，是从历史、现实、未来的客观判断中得出的结论，是理论自信和实践自觉的有机统一。这种理论自信和实践自觉，源自中华文明的深厚底蕴，源自对中国式现代化实践探索的理性认知，源自对世界发展大势的深刻把握。习近平总书记指出：“中华文明传承的是和平和睦和谐的理念，中国没有对外侵略扩张的基因。”无论是“以和为贵”的处世原则，还是“天下大同”的价值目标，抑或“强不执弱”的担当精神，对和平的追求深深植根于中华民族的精神基因之中。新中国成立以来，中国没有主动挑起过任何一场战争和冲突，是将和平发展写入宪法和执政党党章、上升为国家意志的大国。中国对和平和睦和谐理念的传承和追求，既通过维护世界和平发展自己，又通过自身发展维护世界和平，让我们始终站在历史正确的一边、站在人类文明进步的一边。

China's firm determination to take the path of peaceful development in modernization presents a new picture of modern Chinese civilization that differs from the Western modernization model. Looking at the historical development process of ancient and modern times, a country's inevitable path to modernization is inseparable from the mutual exchange of resources with the outside world. Western capitalist countries achieve their own development by plundering market resources through capital, aggression, and colonization of backward countries. China always takes safeguarding the common interests of the people of all countries as its starting point, adheres to equality, mutual benefit, cooperation, and win-win outcomes, fundamentally different from the logic of Western modernization, forming an innovative development logic of promoting a new form of human civilization by building a community with a shared future for mankind. Since the New Era, China has accurately grasped the theme of the times of peace and development, always practicing and adhering to the concept of "the great way is not lonely; the world is one family," [3]3 "The great way is not lonely; the world is one family" (大道不孤、天下一家) is a classical Chinese expression from the Analects and the Book of Rites, used here to emphasize global solidarity. holding high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and win-win, promoting the construction of platforms for global development cooperation and friendly relations, actively promoting the building of a new type of international relations, unswervingly acting as a builder of world peace, demonstrating the global vision and sense of responsibility of the Communist Party of China. At the same time, maintaining world peace is a responsibility that every country should shoulder. China is always willing to work with all countries to jointly realize a world modernization of peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common prosperity, and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

中国坚定走和平发展道路现代化的决心，展现出了不同于西方现代化模式的中华民族现代文明新图景。纵观古今历史发展进程，一个国家走向现代化的必由之路都离不开与外界资源的相互交换。西方资本主义国家是以资本、侵略、殖民落后国家等掠夺市场资源来实现自身发展。中国始终以维护世界各国人民的共同利益为出发点，坚持平等互利、合作共赢，根本区别于西方现代化逻辑，形成通过构建人类命运共同体来推动人类文明新形态的创新发展逻辑。新时代以来，中国准确把握和平与发展的时代主题，始终践行恪守“大道不孤、天下一家”理念，高举和平、发展、合作、共赢旗帜，推动全球发展合作友好平台建设，积极推动构建新型国际关系，坚定不移做世界和平的建设者，彰显了中国共产党的天下胸怀与责任担当。同时，维护世界和平是每个国家都应该肩负起来的责任，中国始终愿同各国一道，携手实现和平发展、互利合作、共同繁荣的世界现代化，共同推动构建人类命运共同体。

Online Editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗