Chinese Civilization Possesses a Prominent Quality of Innovativeness

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development that “Chinese civilization is a civilization that discards the old and introduces the new, and shines with renewed radiance,” and that “the innovativeness of Chinese civilization fundamentally determines the enterprising spirit of the Chinese nation to uphold the fundamental principles without clinging to the old, and to respect the ancients without revering antiquity; it determines the fearless character of the Chinese nation to not fear new challenges and to bravely accept new things.” These important expositions profoundly reveal the internal driving force behind the continuous development of Chinese civilization, and also provide fundamental guidance for us to scientifically grasp the essential characteristics of Chinese civilization, inherit and develop the fine traditional Chinese culture, and create a new form of human civilization. The innovativeness of Chinese civilization is not an accidental historical phenomenon; rather, it is rooted in the fertile soil of a deeply accumulated innovative culture, manifested in the great historical practice of civilizational creation, and contributes to the great cause of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation.

习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上指出，“中华文明是革故鼎新、辉光日新的文明”，“中华文明的创新性，从根本上决定了中华民族守正不守旧、尊古不复古的进取精神，决定了中华民族不惧新挑战、勇于接受新事物的无畏品格”。这些重要论述，深刻揭示了中华文明绵延发展的内在动力，也为我们科学把握中华文明的本质特征、传承发展中华优秀传统文化、创造人类文明新形态提供了根本遵循。中华文明的创新性并非偶发的历史现象，而是植根于积淀深厚的创新文化沃土，彰显于文明创造的伟大历史实践，助力于强国建设、民族复兴伟业。

Rooted in the Fertile Soil of a Deeply Accumulated Innovative Culture

植根于积淀深厚的创新文化沃土

The innovative spirit of Chinese civilization arises from the dialectical unity of historical continuity and the transformative nature of the times. As the only civilization in human history that has continued uninterrupted for over 5,000 years to the present day, Chinese civilization is “interwoven with deep currents and surging waves.” [1]1 A phrase describing the interplay of long-term stability and dramatic change in Chinese history. Chinese culture both maintains the continuation of its spiritual lifeline through the admonition of “examining antiquity to bring forth the new,” [2]2 A classical expression meaning to examine the past to understand and guide present innovation. and demonstrates the courage of self-renewal in the practice of “reforming malpractices and innovating is the will of the former emperors.” [3]3 A classical statement attributed to the Tang Dynasty emperor Taizong, emphasizing the legitimacy of reform. Sages of successive dynasties deeply understood the principle that “one who does not renew daily will inevitably regress daily,” [4]4 A saying from the Song Dynasty scholar Cheng Hao, stressing the necessity of constant self-renewal. and creatively wrote the grand narrative of governing the country and benefiting the people. From the establishment of the “great unity” [5]5 The concept of political and cultural unity under a single central authority, a key ideal in Chinese statecraft. governance paradigm in the Qin and Han dynasties, to the creation of the imperial examination system for selecting officials in the Sui and Tang dynasties, from the philosophical reconstruction of Confucian thought by Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, to the promotion of the spirit of practical statecraft by the School of Practical Learning in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Chinese nation has always promoted the iterative upgrading of civilizational forms with the wisdom of “knowing what to add and what to subtract.” [6]6 A phrase from the Analects of Confucius, referring to the ability to assess and adjust institutions over time. This innovation is both an adherence to the tradition of “understanding the substance and applying it to practice” [7]7 A Neo-Confucian concept meaning to understand the fundamental principles (substance) and apply them in practical affairs (function). and a compliance with the law of “keeping pace with the times,” enabling Chinese civilization to maintain the stability of its foundation while possessing the openness of development within the depth of history.

中华文明的创新精神，生发于历史连续性与时代变革性的辩证统一。作为人类历史上唯一一个绵延5000多年至今未曾中断的文明，中华文明“静水深流与波澜壮阔交织”。中华文化既在“稽古维新”的训诫中维系着精神命脉的赓续，又在“革弊创新者，先皇之志也”的实践中彰显自我革新的勇气。历代先贤深谙“不日新者必日退”之道，创造性书写了治国理政、经世济民的宏大叙事。从秦汉确立“大一统”国家治理范式，到隋唐开创科举取士制度，从宋明理学对儒家思想的哲学重构，到明清实学对经世致用精神的发扬光大，中华民族始终在“损益可知”的智慧中推动文明形态的迭代升级。这种创新既是对“明体达用”传统的坚守，更是对“与时偕行”规律的遵循，使中华文明在历史纵深中既葆有根基的稳固性，又具备发展的开放性。

The innovative vitality of Chinese civilization originates from the fertile soil of diverse coexistence in the field of ideology and culture. The ideological liberation of the pre-Qin philosophers, when “the Way and its methods were about to be torn apart across the world,” [8]8 A phrase from the Zhuangzi describing the fragmentation of philosophical schools in the pre-Qin period. gave birth to a civilizational pattern of blending and complementarity among Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism; the process of Sinicization after the eastward transmission of Buddhism confirmed the integrative wisdom that “harmony generates new things, while sameness leads to no continuation.” [9]9 A saying from the Discourses of the States, emphasizing that diversity and interaction generate new things. In their exploration of “returning to the fundamentals and opening up the new,” [10]10 A modern scholarly term describing the process of creatively reinterpreting tradition to generate new ideas. thinkers of successive dynasties both calibrated their direction with the transformative view of “comprehending its changes so that the people will not tire,” [11]11 A phrase from the Book of Changes, advocating for adapting to change to sustain social vitality. and broke through old conventions with the practical theory that “if it benefits the people, one need not necessarily follow the ancients,” [12]12 A statement from the Huainanzi, a Han Dynasty philosophical text, advocating pragmatism over rigid adherence to precedent. forming an innovative methodology that connects “revering the Way and valuing virtue” with “practical statecraft.” This spiritual quality has been sublimated in China’s modernization practice into the courage for reform and innovation of “boldly trying and boldly reforming,” and has been condensed in the process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times into the theoretical consciousness of the Second Integration, [13]13 The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and the fine traditional Chinese culture, as distinct from the first integration (with China’s specific realities alone). demonstrating the wisdom and boldness of an ancient civilization in responding to the challenges of the times.

中华文明的创新活力，源自思想文化领域多样共存的丰沃土壤。先秦诸子“道术将为天下裂”的思想解放，孕育了儒释道交融互补的文明格局；佛教东传后的中国化历程，印证了“和实生物，同则不继”的融合智慧。历代思想家在“返本开新”的探索中，既以“通其变，使民不倦”的变革观校准方向，又以“苟利于民，不必法古”的实践论突破窠臼，形成了“尊道贵德”与“经世致用”相贯通的创新方法论。这种精神特质，在中国现代化实践中升华为“大胆地试、勇敢地改”的改革创新勇气，在马克思主义中国化时代化进程中凝练为“第二个结合”的理论自觉，展现出古老文明应对时代挑战的智慧与魄力。

The innovative genes of Chinese civilization have been revitalized under the activation of the truth power of Marxism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “To develop socialism with Chinese characteristics on the foundation of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture is the only way. This is a regular pattern we have derived from exploring the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.” [14]14 Xi Jinping’s speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, June 2, 2023. The Chinese Communists, with the dialectical thinking of “inheriting without being rigidly bound by antiquity, and innovating without departing from the fundamentals,” have sublimated the traditional governance wisdom of “the people are the foundation of the state” into the people-centered development thought, transformed the ecological philosophy of “unity of Heaven and humanity” into the practical strategy of ecological civilization construction, and expanded the world view of “harmony among all nations” into the global governance scheme of “a community with a shared future for mankind.” This kind of creative transformation and innovative development is not only a contemporary interpretation of the innovative endowment of Chinese civilization, but also a profound grasp of the cultural development law of “not forgetting the original, absorbing the foreign, and facing the future.” [15]15 A formulation from Xi Jinping’s speech at the Symposium on Literature and Art Work in 2014, outlining a principle for cultural development.

中华文明的创新基因，在马克思主义真理力量的激活下焕发新生。习近平总书记指出：“在五千多年中华文明深厚基础上开辟和发展中国特色社会主义，把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际、同中华优秀传统文化相结合是必由之路。这是我们在探索中国特色社会主义道路中得出的规律性认识。”中国共产党人以“传承不泥古、创新不离宗”的辩证思维，将“民惟邦本”的传统治理智慧升华为以人民为中心的发展思想，将“天人合一”的生态哲学转化为生态文明建设的实践方略，将“协和万邦”的天下观拓展为“人类命运共同体”的全球治理方案。这种创造性转化、创新性发展，既是对中华文明创新禀赋的当代诠释，更是对“不忘本来、吸收外来、面向未来”文化发展规律的深刻把握。

Manifested in the Great Historical Practice of Civilizational Creation

彰显于文明创造的伟大历史实践

“Through practical creation of an objective world, i.e., the transformation of inorganic nature, man proves himself a conscious species-being.” [16]16 A quotation from Karl Marx’s Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844. Compared with general practical activities, innovation, as a pioneering practical activity seeking novelty and difference, is a higher form of practice and an important manifestation of the essential power of human beings. Looking back over the 5,000-year civilizational journey, the Chinese nation has forged a unique civilizational system in the long river of history, nourishing itself with profound cultural accumulation while integrating global wisdom with an open mind, “always creating its own material civilization, cultural-ethical progress, and political civilization with the spirit of ‘if you can improve yourself in a day, do so each day, and let there be daily improvement,’ [17]17 A classical saying from the Zengzi, a Confucian classic, advocating continuous self-improvement. standing in the world for a very long historical period as the most prosperous and powerful civilized entity.” [18]18 A paraphrase of a statement by Xi Jinping on the historical status of Chinese civilization.

“通过实践创造对象世界，即改造无机界，证明了人是有意识的类存在物”。同一般的实践活动相比，创新作为求新求异的开创性实践活动，是一种高级形式的实践活动，是人的本质力量的重要体现。纵观五千年文明历程，中华民族在历史长河中淬炼出独树一帜的文明体系，既以深厚的文化积淀滋养自身，又以开放的胸襟融汇寰宇智慧，“始终以‘苟日新，日日新，又日新’的精神不断创造自己的物质文明、精神文明和政治文明，在很长的历史时期内作为最繁荣最强大的文明体屹立于世”。

In terms of material civilization, Chinese civilization takes “governing the country and benefiting the people” as its value orientation, closely combining the development of productive forces with humanistic care. From the intensive farming agricultural model to the Grand Canal system connecting the north and south, from the civilizational integration of the “Silk Road” to the technological revolution of the “Four Great Inventions,” [19]19 Papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the compass. the Chinese ancestors, with the wisdom of “the unity of the Way and its implements,” [20]20 A concept from the Book of Changes, referring to the integration of abstract principles (the Way) with concrete tools and practices (implements). unified practical rationality with the philosophical view of the unity of Heaven and humanity, forming a development paradigm of “rectifying virtue, utilizing resources, enriching life, and seeking harmony.” [21]21 A phrase from the Book of Documents, outlining a comprehensive approach to governance and livelihood. This material civilization neither simply pursues wealth accumulation nor is it a utilitarian expansion detached from ethics; rather, it aims at “enriching the people and enhancing their well-being,” emphasizing that “when the granaries are full, the people know propriety and justice; when clothing and food are sufficient, they know honor and disgrace.” [22]22 A saying from the Guanzi, an ancient Chinese political and philosophical text. In the New Era, the Communist Party of China inherits this tradition, combining the Marxist theory of productive forces with China’s practice, proposing original and iconic concepts such as the “new development philosophy,” the “new development pattern,” and “new quality productive forces,” which not only consolidate the material foundation of modernization but also endow “governing the country and benefiting the people” with the contemporary connotation of common prosperity, achieving a creative sublimation of traditional economic ethics.

物质文明方面，中华文明以“经世济民”为价值导向，将生产力的发展与人文关怀紧密结合。从精耕细作的农业生产模式到贯通南北的大运河体系，从“丝绸之路”的文明交融到“四大发明”的技术革命，中华先民以“道器合一”的智慧，将实用理性与天人合一哲学观相统一，形成了“正德、利用、厚生、惟和”的发展范式。这种物质文明既非单纯追求财富积累，更非脱离伦理的功利扩张，而是以“富民厚生”为目标，强调“仓廪实而知礼节，衣食足而知荣辱”。在新时代，中国共产党继承这一传统，将马克思主义生产力理论与中国实践相结合，提出“新发展理念”“新发展格局”“新质生产力”等原创性标识性概念，既夯实了现代化物质基础，又赋予“经世济民”以共同富裕的时代内涵，实现了对传统经济伦理的创造性升华。

In terms of cultural-ethical progress, Chinese civilization takes “harmony in diversity” as its spiritual core, shaping a cultural pattern of pluralistic unity. The Confucian ethical system of “the gentleman understands what is righteous, the petty person understands what is profitable,” the Daoist philosophical speculation of “the Way follows nature,” and the Buddhist cultivation concept of “illuminating the mind and seeing one’s true nature” have together forged the value pursuit of “cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to all under Heaven.” [23]23 A Confucian ideal of personal and social cultivation, from the Great Learning. The Book of Changes proposes “observing the patterns of humanity to transform the world,” [24]24 A phrase from the Book of Changes, emphasizing the transformative power of culture and education. regarding cultural education as the foundation of civilizational survival; Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, through “investigating things to extend knowledge,” [25]25 A core concept in Neo-Confucianism, referring to the method of moral and intellectual cultivation. connected the Way of Heaven with human ethics, constructing an ideological system that “reaches the broad and great while exhausting the subtle and minute.” [26]26 A phrase from the Doctrine of the Mean, describing the comprehensive scope of Neo-Confucian thought. This kind of cultural-ethical progress is not closed and self-sufficient, but achieves inclusive innovation through “harmony in diversity.” General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Second Integration makes Marxism Chinese and the fine traditional Chinese culture modern, and makes the new culture formed through the ‘integration’ the cultural form of Chinese-path modernization.” [27]27 Xi Jinping’s speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, June 2, 2023. From “great harmony under Heaven” to “a community with a shared future for mankind,” from “the distinction between righteousness and profit” to “common prosperity,” the essence of traditional cultural-ethical progress, activated by the truth power of Marxism, not only maintains cultural subjectivity but also radiates the ideological power to lead the times.

精神文明方面，中华文明以“和而不同”为精神内核，塑造了多元一体的文化格局。儒家“君子喻于义，小人喻于利”的伦理体系，道家“道法自然”的哲学思辨，佛家“明心见性”的修行理念，共同熔铸出“修齐治平”的价值追求。《周易》提出“观乎人文，以化成天下”，将文化教化视为文明存续的根本；宋明理学以“格物致知”贯通天道与人伦，构建起“致广大而尽精微”的思想体系。这种精神文明并非封闭自足，而是在“和而不同”中实现包容创新。习近平总书记指出：“‘第二个结合’让马克思主义成为中国的，中华优秀传统文化成为现代的，让经由‘结合’而形成的新文化成为中国式现代化的文化形态。”从“天下大同”到“人类命运共同体”，从“义利之辨”到“共同富裕”，传统精神文明的精华在马克思主义真理力量的激活下，既保持了文化主体性，又焕发出引领时代的思想伟力。

In terms of political civilization, Chinese civilization takes “people-centeredness, rule by virtue, and benevolent governance” as its core thought, constructing a unique governance system. The governing thought of “the people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is stable, the state is at peace” [28]28 A phrase from the Book of Documents, a foundational text of Chinese political philosophy. from the Book of Documents, combined with the institutional designs of “selecting the worthy and capable” and “virtue as the principal, punishment as the auxiliary,” formed the governance wisdom of pluralistic unity under the pattern of “great unity.” From the administrative structure of “all nine provinces operating in unison” [29]29 A classical expression for the unified administrative system of the empire. to the legal tradition of “ordering the state and regulating the people,” from the official cultivation of “governing by virtue” to the statecraft strategy of “being prepared for danger in times of peace,” sages of successive dynasties continuously improved the governance system in practice, both emphasizing institutional stability and highlighting the innovative consciousness of “reforming and transforming.” General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “The path of socialism with Chinese characteristics has been taken under the guidance of Marxism, and it has also emerged from the history of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.” [30]30 Xi Jinping’s speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development, June 2, 2023. Entering the New Era, our Party adheres to putting the people first and develops whole-process people’s democracy, which is precisely the combination of the traditional “people-centered” thought with the Marxist concept of the people as the main body, achieving a leapfrog development from “the people are the foundation of the state” to “people-centered.” This innovation in political civilization not only continues the ideal pursuit of “the world is for all,” but also ensures, through institutional advantages, the ruling foundation that “the country is the people, and the people are the country.” [31]31 A formulation by Xi Jinping emphasizing the identity of the Party-state with the people.

政治文明方面，中华文明以“以民为本、德治仁政”为核心思想，构建了独具特色的治理体系。《尚书》中“民惟邦本，本固邦宁”的执政思想，与“选贤与能”“德主刑辅”的制度设计相融合，形成了“大一统”格局下多元一体的治理智慧。从“九州共贯”的行政架构到“经国序民”的法制传统，从“为政以德”的官员修养到“居安思危”的治国方略，历代先贤在实践中不断完善治理体系，既注重制度稳定性，又强调“改易更化”的革新意识。习近平总书记指出，“中国特色社会主义道路是在马克思主义指导下走出来的，也是从五千多年中华文明史中走出来的”。进入新时代，我们党坚持人民至上，发展全过程人民民主，正是将传统“民本”思想与马克思主义人民主体观相结合，实现了“民惟邦本”向“以人民为中心”的跨越式发展。这种政治文明的创新，既延续了“天下为公”的理想追求，又以制度优势确保“江山就是人民，人民就是江山”的执政根基。

Contributing to the Great Cause of Building a Strong Country and National Rejuvenation

助力于强国建设、民族复兴伟业

“Chinese civilization has continuously developed through inheritance and innovation, and has continuously been elevated through adapting to changing circumstances and responding to the times.” From the civilizational gene of “old state, new mandate” [32]32 “Old state, new mandate” (旧邦新命): A classical Chinese expression, originally from the *Book of Songs*, later used by philosophers such as Feng Youlan to describe China’s ability to renew itself while maintaining its civilizational continuity. to the world-embracing sentiment of “harmony in diversity and coexistence,” Chinese civilization has constantly reformed itself in response to changes in both internal and external environments, and has continuously innovated on the basis of inheritance. On the new journey, the innovativeness of Chinese civilization will provide a powerful spiritual force for solving development problems, comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

“中华文明在继承创新中不断发展，在应时处变中不断升华”。从“旧邦新命”的文明基因到“和合共生”的天下情怀，中华文明始终在应对内外环境变化中不断变革，在传承的基础上不断创新。在新征程上，中华文明的创新性将为破解发展难题，以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供强大精神力量。

The innovativeness of Chinese civilization reveals a historical self-awareness of “taking change as the norm,” providing spiritual impetus for modernization. The *Lüshi Chunqiu* [33]33 *Lüshi Chunqiu* (吕氏春秋): An encyclopedic Chinese classic compiled around 239 BCE under the patronage of Lü Buwei, chief minister of the state of Qin. states, “As the age changes and times shift, reforming the laws is appropriate,” emphasizing that change is an inevitable choice for responding to the transformations of the era. The five-thousand-year history of Chinese civilization’s continuous transmission is, in essence, a history of self-renewal under the principle of “old state, new mandate.” From the “debate between feudalism and the commandery-county system” [34]34 “Debate between feudalism and the commandery-county system” (封建郡县之辩): A long-standing historical and political debate in China over whether to adopt a decentralized feudal system (enfeoffment) or a centralized bureaucratic system of prefectures and counties. to the “fusion of Confucianism, Legalism, Daoism, and Buddhism,” from the agriculture-based thought of “integrating farming and warfare” to the governance concept of “both agriculture and commerce are fundamental,” successive sages and worthies have always promoted institutional evolution with the sober recognition of “neither admiring antiquity nor clinging to the present.” The major concepts creatively proposed by the Communist Party of China, such as “whole-process people’s democracy” and “harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature,” are precisely the preservation of the orthodox and the opening up of the new [35]35 “Preservation of the orthodox and the opening up of the new” (守正开新): A standard formulation in contemporary Chinese political discourse, meaning to uphold fundamental principles while innovating. with respect to the innovative genes of Chinese civilization.

中华文明的创新性昭示“以变为常”的历史自觉，为现代化提供精神动力。《吕氏春秋》言“世易时移，变法宜矣”，强调变革是应对时代变迁的必然选择。中华文明五千年的赓续史，本质上是“旧邦新命”的自我革新史。从“封建郡县之辩”到“儒法道释交融”，从“耕战一体”的农本思想到“工商皆本”的治世理念，历代先贤始终以“不慕古、不留今”的清醒认知推动制度演进。中国共产党创造性提出的“全过程人民民主”“人与自然和谐共生”等重大理念，正是对中华文明创新基因的守正开新。

The innovativeness of Chinese civilization embodies the methodological wisdom of “renewing in accordance with circumstances,” injecting practical momentum into modernization. The *Zhongshuo* [36]36 *Zhongshuo* (中说): A Tang-dynasty Confucian text attributed to Wang Tong, a scholar of the Sui-Tang transition period. states, “If one comprehends change, there will be no flawed laws under heaven,” advocating that institutional innovation must conform to objective laws. Chinese-path modernization, as a new form of human civilization, must both solve “the problems that arise after development” and avoid repeating the historical pitfalls of Western modernization. The 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed that “we must uphold systemic thinking” and “coordinate development and security,” which deeply aligns with the Chinese civilizational thinking of the “mean” [37]37 “Mean” (中道): Refers to the Confucian doctrine of the mean (中庸), advocating moderation, balance, and avoiding extremes. that “holds onto both ends and employs the middle.” From the new development paradigm of “domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other” reshaping economic logic, to the “dual carbon” strategy [38]38 “Dual carbon” strategy (双碳战略): China’s policy goals of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. leading the green transformation, from achieving scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening to solve “bottleneck” problems, to the practice of common prosperity bridging the urban-rural divide, the innovativeness of Chinese civilization has been transformed into a governance capacity that coordinates “breaking and establishing” and “stability and progress.”

中华文明的创新性体现“因势而新”的方法智慧，为现代化注入实践动能。《中说》有云，“通其变，天下无弊法”，主张制度创新要顺应客观规律。中国式现代化作为人类文明新形态，既要破解“发展起来以后的问题”，又要避免重蹈西方现代化的历史覆辙。党的二十大提出“必须坚持系统观念”“统筹发展和安全”，这与中华文明“执两用中”的中道思维深度契合。从“以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进”的新发展格局重塑经济逻辑，到“双碳”战略引领绿色转型，从科技自立自强破解“卡脖子”难题，到共同富裕实践弥合城乡鸿沟，中华文明的创新性已转化为统筹“破与立”“稳与进”的治理能力。

The innovativeness of Chinese civilization highlights the civilizational realm of “harmony in diversity and coexistence,” opening up a global vision for modernization. The *Wenzi* [39]39 *Wenzi* (文子): A Daoist classic traditionally attributed to a disciple of Laozi, compiled around the 2nd century BCE. proposes that “the sage’s laws change with the times, and rites transform with customs,” arguing that civilizational progress must achieve transcendence through openness and inclusiveness. Chinese-path modernization neither exports models nor imposes standards, but promotes mutual learning among civilizations with the broad-mindedness of “each appreciating its own beauty, and the beauty of others, and together achieving beauty for all.” The Global Civilization Initiative proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, which advocates “respecting the diversity of world civilizations” and “strengthening international people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation,” is precisely a creative development of the Chinese civilizational concept that “all things are nurtured together without harming one another.” From jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative to create a new paradigm of connectivity, to the three major global initiatives [40]40 Three major global initiatives: The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, proposed by Xi Jinping in 2021–2023. responding to common human challenges, the innovativeness of Chinese civilization has been elevated into a practical plan for promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. This civilizational outlook, which both adheres to distinctiveness and embraces inclusive mutual learning, breaks free from the rut of “Western-centrism” and “the superiority of civilization,” opening up a new realm of harmonious coexistence for the progress of human civilization.

中华文明的创新性彰显“和合共生”的文明境界，为现代化开拓全球视野。《文子》提出“圣人法与时变，礼与俗化”，主张文明进步须在开放包容中实现超越。中国式现代化既不输出模式，也不强加标准，而是以“各美其美、美美与共”的胸襟推动文明互鉴。习近平总书记提出的全球文明倡议，倡导“尊重世界文明多样性”“加强国际人文交流合作”，正是对中华文明“万物并育而不相害”理念的创造性发展。从共建“一带一路”打造互联互通新范式，到三大全球倡议回应人类共同挑战，中华文明的创新性升华为推动构建人类命运共同体的实践方案。这种既坚守特色又包容互鉴的文明观，突破了“西方中心论”“文明优越论”的窠臼，为人类文明进步开辟了和合共生的新境界。

On the new journey, realizing the grand blueprint of comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization requires us, with the self-awareness of “striving vigorously day after day, advancing in step with the times,” to persist in integrating the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of China’s excellent traditional culture, to draw innovative nutrients from the fertile soil of culture, to fully activate the innovative endowment of Chinese civilization and enable it to radiate new vitality through the baptism of Chinese-path modernization, thereby providing an inexhaustible driving force for building a strong country and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

新征程上，实现以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴的宏伟蓝图，要求我们以“终日乾乾，与时偕行”的自觉，坚持把马克思主义思想精髓同中华优秀传统文化精华贯通起来，从文化沃土中汲取创新养分，充分激活中华文明的创新禀赋并使之在中国式现代化的洗礼中焕发新的生机，为强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供不竭动力。

(Author: Wu Haijiang, Distinguished Research Fellow of the Shanghai Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Professor at the School of Marxism, Fudan University)

（作者：吴海江，系上海市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特聘研究员、复旦大学马克思主义学院教授）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心