On the afternoon of December 3, 2024, Professor Xiang Jiuyu, a distinguished professor at Wuhan University, was invited to give an insightful lecture titled "The Rationality of Chinese New Civilization—On Academic Paper Topics" to the faculty and students of Shenzhen University. The lecture was hosted by Professor Zhang Shoukui, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism, and attended by a large number of faculty and students.
In the lecture, Professor Xiang first emphasized the connotation of "new civilization." He pointed out that Chinese new civilization is not just a form of modern civilization, but also a form of civilization that resonates with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. It is the civilized expression and interpretation of the great rejuvenation. The historical determinacy of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation grants Chinese new civilization a unique identity, supporting it to become a distinct form of civilization.
Professor Xiang then elaborated on the rationality of Chinese new civilization from five aspects. The first is the modernity of Chinese new civilization. Chinese new civilization centers on the people and is driven by practical rationality to create and develop higher levels of material civilization. The second is the ethnic characteristics of Chinese new civilization. Firstly, the Chinese nation, as an ethnic entity, has undergone a process from being "in itself" to being "for itself." Secondly, the "ethnicity" of Chinese new civilization is closely related to "Chinese modernity." Furthermore, there is a unity between the "ethnicity" of Chinese new civilization and its "universality." The third is the civilization characteristics of Chinese new civilization. Chinese new civilization is an organic whole formed by the fusion of three elements: Chinese civilization, socialist civilization, and party civilization. It integrates advanced social forms, institutional forms, and native civilization forms, marking the characteristics of both the "ethnic entity" and the "civilizational entity." This "fusion" is an organic combination unfolding on the historical level of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The fourth is the historical characteristics of Chinese new civilization. The historical concept of Chinese new civilization shows continuity, inheritance, and creativity. The fifth is the revival characteristics of Chinese new civilization. Our civilizational revival is the revival of civilizational countries, civilizational spirit, and civilized life.
Subsequently, Professor Xiang presented the future outlook of Chinese new civilization. First, rethink the relationship between humans and things; Chinese-style modernization promotes the great creation of material civilization. Second, rethink the relationship between humans and the state; Chinese-style modernization achieves the historical development of political civilization. Third, rethink the relationship between humans and themselves; Chinese-style modernization promotes the modern growth of spiritual civilization. Fourth, rethink the relationship between humans and society; Chinese-style modernization promotes the development of new social civilization. Fifth, rethink the relationship between humans and nature; Chinese-style modernization builds a harmonious ecological civilization. Sixth, rethink the relationship between humans and institutions; Chinese-style modernization develops a unique institutional civilization. Seventh, rethink the relationship between civilizations; Chinese-style modernization achieves major accomplishments in civilizational exchange.
During the interactive session of the lecture, faculty and students discussed issues such as "material civilization and spiritual civilization" and "digital civilization" with Professor Xiang. He provided professional and detailed answers to all the questions raised by the faculty and students. At the end of the lecture, Vice Dean Zhang Shoukui expressed gratitude to Professor Xiang for his wonderful lecture and gave a concluding speech. He pointed out that this was an academic lecture with breadth, depth, and height, and the profoundness of Professor Xiang's thoughts would bring much reflection and inspiration to the faculty and students. The lecture ended with warm applause from the audience.
