The Chinese community is a global community of people with China’s ethnic origin. These overseas Chinese vary widely in their degree of assimilation. They also differ in their relationship with their homeland.
The first wave of Chinese emigrants came for business, adventure and opportunity. They were primarily merchants and seamen. Many settled in ghettos known as “Chinatowns.”
China’s Vision of a Global Community of Shared Future
Xi Jinping’s vision of building a global community of shared future bears in mind the well-being of all mankind. It rises above the exclusive rules of bloc politics and the notion of might makes right, and conforms to the trend of the times and echoes popular calls for global cooperation. It is based on the Chinese philosophical underpinnings of openness and inclusiveness, equality and mutual benefit, and harmonious coexistence and dialectical balance.
It is about countries with different social systems, ideologies, histories, cultures and levels of development coming together to promote their common interests and core values in world affairs. It is about advancing democracy in international relations to ensure that the world’s future is determined by all, that the rules of the game are made by all and that the benefits of progress are shared by all.
This is a grand blueprint for world peace and development, and it requires all of us to turn the vision into reality step by step. We should unite with each other to rise to this historical mission and work tirelessly to achieve this lofty goal.
Harmony is the Core Concept of Chinese Culture
Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes the concept of harmony. Confucianism taught the importance of maintaining a balance between various relationships, and a sense of mutual obligation (fei-li) is deeply rooted in society.
As a result, China possesses a unique concept of community based on the principle that all things are interconnected. Its values and traditions are reflected in daily life through various rituals, such as the sacrifice to the gods and ancestors, weddings and funerals. Chinese people also value courtesy, which involves modesty and prudence.
Psychological research in Western societies has long focused on conflict, while ignoring harmony as a key component of human relationships. In contrast, an indigenous Chinese theory is needed to better understand the relationship between harmony and conflict in culturally Chinese contexts. This is why Huang has developed a formal model on interpersonal harmony and conflict using the dialectics of harmonization, which was verified by a series of studies with participants. The model consists of six categories of oriented interactions related to distinct types of harmonious situations.
The Chinese Nation Advocates Fraternity Among All Peoples
As the Chinese nation promotes fraternity among all peoples, it also advocates universal benevolence. This principle is reflected in the Shequ, or community organizations that offer services for the benefit of citizens. These groups relieve the state of certain responsibilities and duties by taking them on themselves, as well as helping the poor, sick and elderly.
Chinatowns around the world are a vivid example of this principle. Founded during the Gold Rush in San Francisco, these communities remain one of the largest and most vibrant Chinese immigrant groups worldwide.
Overseas Chinese communities are also renowned for their business savvy and strong work ethic. These communities are often highly successful and contribute a great deal to their local economies. In Latin America, where the Chinese were initially brought as indentured workers to bolster African slave labor, they have become prominent entrepreneurs in each of the nations where they live. They also have a strong presence in many Asian countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, where they have maintained a distinct cultural identity.
The Chinese Nation Promotes Universal Benevolence
The Chinese value benevolence (jiahe) that stems from their emphasis on family and blood connections, but it also extends to friends and social relationships. This benevolence embodies the virtues of justice, courtesy, wisdom, loyalty and self-discipline.
In a world where the law of the jungle reigns and “might makes right,” China’s concept of harmony stands out. It is a philosophy of universal benevolence, mutual respect, peace, cooperation and win-win development.
This guiding principle is behind China’s foreign policy of non-interference and peaceful settlement, and it is the core concept of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and China’s policy on intervention. It is also a central idea in Chinese ethics and the underlying philosophy of Confucianism.