The Theoretical Foundations of the Common Values of All Mankind

In his important speech at the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The Communist Party of China will continue to work with all peace-loving countries and peoples to promote the common values of all mankind, namely, peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom.” This solemn declaration manifests the historical attitude of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people in assuming a high degree of responsibility for the future of humanity, and it possesses profound and rich ideological and theoretical foundations.

习近平总书记在庆祝中国共产党成立100周年大会上的重要讲话中指出：“中国共产党将继续同一切爱好和平的国家和人民一道，弘扬和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。”这一庄严宣示，彰显了中国共产党和中国人民对人类前途命运高度负责的历史态度，具有深刻而丰富的思想理论底蕴。

Profound Theoretical Foundation in Marxism

深厚的马克思主义理论基础

The pursuit of progress in human civilization and the ultimate realization of human liberation are the basic theoretical themes of Marxism. The concept of the common values of all mankind, with its deep world-historical vision and strong spirit of human concern, highlights a profound Marxist theoretical foundation.

追求人类文明进步、最终实现人类解放，是马克思主义的基本理论主题。全人类共同价值理念以深邃的世界历史视野和强烈的人类关怀精神，凸显了深厚的马克思主义理论底蕴。

It embodies a deep world-historical perspective. Marx and Engels profoundly pointed out: “The more the original isolation of separate nationalities is destroyed by the developed mode of production and intercourse and the division of labour between various nations naturally brought forth by these, the more history becomes world history.” In the era of economic globalization, the overall interconnectedness of humanity is increasingly strengthened. As Lenin vividly stated: “World history is a whole, and the various nations are its ‘organs.’” The value concepts of different nations, through prolonged contact, exchange, and even collision, have been mutually learned, integrated, and continuously developed. The degree of development of productive forces, the division of labor, and intercourse determines the extent of humanity’s need for common values. At present, universal human intercourse is deeper and broader than in any previous period, and the interconnections among countries are more frequent and closer than ever. With the deepening of economic globalization, the significance of the common values of all mankind is increasingly prominent. The “common values of all mankind” profoundly demonstrate the contemporary relevance of the Marxist theory of world history.

体现深邃的世界历史眼光。马克思、恩格斯曾深刻指出：“各民族的原始封闭状态由于日益完善的生产方式、交往以及因交往而自然形成的不同民族之间的分工消灭得越是彻底，历史也就越是成为世界历史。”在经济全球化时代，人类的整体关联性日益增强，正如列宁形象地指出：“世界历史是个整体，而各个民族是它的‘器官’。”不同民族的价值观念在长期的接触、交流甚至碰撞中得以互鉴、融合并不断发展。生产力、分工与交往的发展程度，决定了人类对共同价值的需求程度。当前，人类普遍交往比以往任何时期都更深入、更广泛，各国相互联系比以往任何时期都更频繁、更紧密。随着经济全球化程度的不断加深，全人类共同价值的意义日益凸显，“全人类共同价值”深刻证明了马克思主义世界历史理论的当代意义。

It manifests a strong human concern. Marx emphasized: “The standpoint of the old materialism is ‘civil’ society; the standpoint of the new materialism is human society, or socialized humanity.” This indicates that taking the interests of all humanity as the starting point is the fundamental standpoint of Marx’s new worldview. Capitalist industrial civilization promoted universal intercourse and the interconnection of the world, but it also brought class exploitation and national oppression. Under the dominance of the logic of capital, various capitalist countries vied to become world hegemons, continuously oppressing other backward countries and seizing international monopoly profits. In the 1850s, Marx wrote multiple articles to profoundly expose and criticize the bullying and plundering of the East by the West at that time, offering sharp satire on the “civilization” and hypocrisy of the colonizers. It can be said that opposing exploitation and oppression and advocating equal intercourse are the concepts of international intercourse repeatedly expressed by Marx. In today’s world, some Western countries, out of narrow national positions and relying on military and economic advantages, have long pursued unilateralism and hegemonism in their foreign policies. This undoubtedly deviates from the expectations of all countries for common development and common progress, and from the overall interests of humanity. The active advocacy of the concept of the common values of all mankind manifests the Marxist concept of human concern and equal intercourse, possessing important practical relevance.

彰显强烈的人类关怀。马克思强调：“旧唯物主义的立脚点是‘市民’社会；新唯物主义的立脚点则是人类社会或社会化的人类。”这表明，站在全人类利益上来考虑问题，是马克思新世界观的根本立脚点。资本主义工业文明促进了人们的普遍交往和世界的相互联系，但是，它也带来了阶级剥削和民族压迫。在资本逻辑的主宰下，各个资本主义国家争当世界霸主，不断欺压其他落后国家，攫取国际垄断利润。19世纪50年代，马克思多次撰文深刻揭露和批判当时西方对东方的欺凌和抢夺，对殖民者的“文明”和伪善给予辛辣讽刺。可以说，反对剥削和压迫，提倡平等交往，是马克思多次表达出的国际交往理念。在当今世界，一些西方国家出于狭隘的民族立场，依仗军事和经济优势，在对外政策上长期奉行单边主义、霸权主义。这无疑背离了世界各国对共同发展、共同进步的期盼，背离了人类整体利益。全人类共同价值理念的积极倡议，彰显了马克思主义的人类关怀和平等交往理念，具有重要的现实针对性。

Rich Nourishment from Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

丰富的中华优秀传统文化滋养

The concept of the common values of all mankind is deeply rooted in the soil of Chinese civilization, richly nourished by fine traditional Chinese culture, highlighting the fine traditions and contemporary significance of Chinese civilization’s value concepts.

全人类共同价值理念深植于中华文明大地，深受中华优秀传统文化的滋养，凸显了中华文明价值理念的优良传统和现实意义。

It manifests the ideal of Great Harmony under Heaven in Chinese culture. The *Book of Rites* (Chapter “Li Yun”) states: “When the Great Way prevails, the world is shared by all.” [1]1 A passage from the “Li Yun” (Evolution of Rites) chapter of the *Book of Rites*, a Confucian classic. “The world is shared by all” (天下为公) is a foundational ideal of Chinese political thought, envisioning a society governed for the common good. Great Harmony under Heaven is one of the core value concepts of fine traditional Chinese culture. The *Book of Documents* (Chapter “Canon of Yao”) says: “He was able to make bright his lofty virtue, and so to bring harmony among the nine branches of his kindred. When the nine branches were harmonious, he regulated and enlightened the hundred clans. When the hundred clans were enlightened, he harmonized the myriad states.” [2]2 A passage from the “Canon of Yao” chapter of the *Book of Documents*, one of the Five Classics of Confucianism. It describes the legendary Emperor Yao’s virtue in harmonizing his family, the clans, and the myriad states. Benevolence toward neighbors and harmony among all states have been the consistent way of conducting international relations in Chinese civilization. “Harmony among all states” actually expresses the concept of Great Harmony under Heaven, and this concept is profoundly embodied in the concept of the common values of all mankind, centrally reflecting the beautiful long-cherished wish and unique social ideal that the Chinese nation has diligently pursued since ancient times.

彰显中华文化天下大同的理想情怀。《礼记·礼运》有言：“大道之行也，天下为公。”天下大同是中华优秀传统文化的核心价值理念之一。《尚书·尧典》有道：“克明俊德，以亲九族。九族既睦，平章百姓。百姓昭明，协和万邦。”亲仁善邻、协和万邦是中华文明一贯的处世之道。“协和万邦”实际上表达了天下大同的理念，而这一理念深刻体现在全人类共同价值理念之中，集中反映了中华民族自古以来孜孜以求的美好夙愿和独具特色的社会理想。

It embodies the inclusive spirit of harmony in diversity in Chinese culture. “The beauty of a harmonious stew lies in the blending of different flavors.” [3]3 A saying from the *Zuo Zhuan* (Zuo Commentary on the *Spring and Autumn Annals*), attributed to the politician Yanzi of the state of Qi. It uses the metaphor of a stew to argue that harmony arises from the combination of different elements, not uniformity. What is called “blending of differences” means seeking common ground amid differences, seeking unity amid distinctions, and seeking consistency amid diversity. For a long time, how to promote the formation and development of value consensus, mutual trust, and harmony among the value concepts of different nations, countries, and social systems, starting from complex value differences, divergences, and conflicts, has been a major issue facing the people of all countries. As an answer to this question, the “common values of all mankind” acknowledge the particularities and differences of different individuals, nations, countries, and social forms, while also recognizing the existence of commonality, universality, and similarity. Fundamentally, it adheres to the inclusive spirit of harmony in diversity. This civilizational value concept of harmony in diversity and inclusiveness not only reflects the Chinese nation’s value pursuit of “harmony generates new things” [4]4 A phrase from the *Discourses of the States* (Guoyu), an ancient Chinese historical text. It expresses the idea that diversity and difference are the source of vitality and new growth. but also highlights contemporary China’s firm belief in upholding openness, inclusiveness, and peaceful development. It brings wisdom and inspiration for the progress of human civilization and lays a value foundation for countries around the world to join hands in peaceful development.

体现中华文化和而不同的包容精神。“和羹之美，在于合异。”所谓“合异”，就是异中求同，在差别中求统一，在多样中求一致。长久以来，如何在不同民族、不同国家、不同社会制度的价值观念之间，从纷繁复杂的价值差异、价值分歧和价值冲突中，推动价值共识、价值互信、价值和谐的形成与发展，是一个摆在世界各国人民面前的重大问题。而作为对这一问题的解答，“全人类共同价值”承认不同个体、不同民族、不同国家、不同社会形态的特殊性、差异性，同时还承认存在共性、普遍性和相似性，从根本上是坚持了和而不同的包容精神。这一和而不同、兼收并蓄的文明价值理念，不仅反映了中华民族“和实生物”的价值追求，也突显了当代中国坚持开放包容、和平发展的坚定信念，为人类文明进步带来了智慧启示，为世界各国携手和平发展奠定了价值基础。

Value Consensus Long Reached by the International Community

国际社会长期以来达成的价值共识

General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: “Looking back at modern history, the establishment of a just and equitable international order has been a goal tirelessly pursued by humanity. From the principles of equality and sovereignty established by the Peace of Westphalia over 360 years ago, to the international humanitarian spirit established by the Geneva Conventions over 150 years ago; from the four purposes and seven principles of the UN Charter over 70 years ago, to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence advocated by the Bandung Conference over 60 years ago, the evolution of international relations has accumulated a series of universally recognized principles. These principles should become the basic norms for building a community with a shared future for mankind.” [5]5 A reference to Xi Jinping’s speech at the United Nations Office at Geneva in January 2017, where he outlined the historical lineage of principles for international order. Undoubtedly, these universally recognized principles also embody the value consensus formed by the international community.

习近平总书记深刻指出：“纵观近代以来的历史，建立公正合理的国际秩序是人类孜孜以求的目标。从360多年前《威斯特伐利亚和约》确立的平等和主权原则，到150多年前日内瓦公约确立的国际人道主义精神；从70多年前联合国宪章明确的四大宗旨和七项原则，到60多年前万隆会议倡导的和平共处五项原则，国际关系演变积累了一系列公认的原则。这些原则应该成为构建人类命运共同体的基本遵循。”毫无疑问，这些公认的原则也体现了国际社会形成的价值共识。

It reflects the contemporary themes of peace and development in the world. Peace is the eternal aspiration of the world’s people, and development is the primary task of all countries. On the one hand, from a practical perspective, different periods, countries, and nations often have their own specific demands, which, when reflected in value concepts, also exhibit varying degrees of difference and particularity. On the other hand, there simultaneously exist universally significant value demands among the people of all countries, namely, whether all humanity can maintain enduring brightness and continuously open up a bright future. For both the individual and humanity as a whole, peace and development are integrated. Only with a peaceful and stable environment can there be better survival and development. And only the common development of humanity can create a more solid foundation and conditions for world peace. In this regard, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “In this world, peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit have become the trend of the times.”

反映当代世界和平、发展的时代主题。和平是世界人民的永恒期盼，发展是世界各国的第一要务。一方面，从现实来看，不同时期、不同国家、不同民族往往有着各自不同的具体诉求，反映在价值理念上也会呈现出不同程度的差异性和特殊性。另一方面，各国人民之间又同时存在着普遍意义的价值诉求，即全人类能否始终保持长久光明和不断开辟美好未来。无论是对于单独个体，还是整个人类而言，和平与发展是互为一体的。有了和平稳定的环境，才能更好地生存与发展。而只有人类的共同发展才能为世界和平创造更加坚实的基础和条件。对此，习近平总书记指出，“这个世界，和平、发展、合作、共赢成为时代潮流”。

It manifests the important principles of fairness and justice in international relations. In September 2000, the United Nations Millennium Declaration, signed by 189 countries, declared in its first part, “Values and Principles,” that “certain fundamental values are essential to international relations in the twenty-first century,” including freedom, equality, solidarity, and tolerance. However, for a long time, a few Western countries have dominated the world, blindly pursuing hegemonic thinking, and under the pretext of “human rights overriding sovereignty,” they have crudely interfered in the internal affairs of other countries. For many developing countries, subjected to the logic of power, the trend of increasing inequality between large and small, strong and weak, rich and poor countries has not been alleviated. It is precisely because the international community generally lacks “fairness” and “justice” that the preciousness and importance of “fairness” and “justice” are even more highlighted. The concept of the common values of all mankind attaches great importance to upholding fairness and justice; it is itself a negation of the Western law of the jungle, power logic, and hegemonism. It reflects the universal concern of the international community for establishing a new type of international relations and contains the significant meaning of promoting profound changes in the global governance system.

彰显国际关系中公平、正义的重要准则。2000年9月，由189个国家签署的《联合国千年宣言》在第一部分“价值和原则”中就宣称：包括自由、平等、团结、容忍等在内的“某些基本价值对21世纪的国际关系是必不可少的”。但很长一段时间以来，少数西方国家主导着世界，一味推行霸权思维，打着“人权高于主权”的幌子，粗暴干涉别国内政。对于很多发展中国家而言，受强权逻辑宰制，大小、强弱、贫富国家之间不平等加剧趋势并未缓解。正是因为国际社会普遍缺乏“公平”和“正义”，才更加映衬出“公平”“正义”的宝贵和重要。全人类共同价值理念高度重视维护公平和正义，本身就是对西方丛林法则、强权逻辑、霸权主义的否定，反映了国际社会对建立新型国际关系的普遍关切，蕴含着推动全球治理体系深刻变革的重大意义。

It embodies the developmental demands of the people of all countries for democracy and freedom. Different values and value systems often have different understandings of what democracy is and what freedom is. A value system’s understanding of democracy and freedom largely reflects its stance on the basic values of modern political civilization. The concept of the common values of all mankind profoundly embodies the universal developmental demands of the people of all countries for democracy and freedom. As far as democracy is concerned, although democracy as a theoretical expression first appeared in the West, democracy itself is a product of humanity’s pursuit of equality and progress. Any democracy, like any other superstructure, is ultimately determined by the economic base of that society. Different basic national conditions and different cultural traditions inevitably require different forms of democracy. In this regard, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Democracy is likewise the right of the people of all countries, not a patent of a few countries. There are multiple ways to realize democracy, and it cannot be uniform. Whether a country is democratic or not must be judged by the people of that country, not dictated by a few!”[6]6 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Conference Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Lawful Seat of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations,” October 25, 2021.

体现各国人民对民主、自由的发展要求。不同的价值观念和价值体系，对于何谓民主、何谓自由的问题，往往存在不同理解。一种价值体系对民主和自由的理解，在很大程度上反映了它对现代政治文明基本价值的立场。全人类共同价值理念深刻体现了各国人民对民主、自由的普遍发展要求。就民主而言，作为理论表达的民主虽然最先出现在西方，但是民主本身是人类追求平等与进步的产物。任何民主，和任何其他上层建筑一样，终究是由该社会中的经济基础决定的。不同的基本国情、不同的文化传统，必然要求采取不同的民主形式。对此，习近平总书记指出：“民主同样是各国人民的权利，而不是少数国家的专利。实现民主有多种方式，不可能千篇一律。一个国家民主不民主，要由这个国家的人民来评判，而不能由少数人说了算！”

(The author is a specially appointed researcher of the Hubei Provincial Research Center for the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Wuhan University Branch.)

（作者系湖北省中国特色社会主义理论体系研究中心武汉大学分中心特约研究员）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心