On October 26, the academic seminar titled “Chinese Excellent Traditional Culture and Strengthening the Awareness of the Chinese National Community” was held at Shandong University. Experts and scholars from renowned institutions such as Fudan University, Jilin University, and the Central University for Nationalities gathered to explore the significance of traditional Chinese culture in fostering a strong sense of shared national identity among the Chinese people, aiming to advance the research framework for ethnic theory with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Wang Jun-song, the Deputy Secretary of Shandong University’s Party Committee, remarked on the establishment of the National Ethnic Community Research Base at Shandong University in 2023. This base leverages the university’s strengths in areas like Haidai archaeology and Confucian studies to delve into the historical roots and ideological origins of the awareness of the Chinese national community. The research aims to effectively address fundamental questions such as “Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we now? And where are we going?” thereby enhancing cultural identity and building a shared spiritual home for the Chinese nation.
Wang Xuedian, Dean of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Confucianism at Shandong University and Chief Expert at the National Ethnic Community Research Base, emphasized the importance of solidifying the sense of a unified Chinese national community, which is critical for the present and future of the nation. He noted that China is a unified multi-ethnic state, where different ethnic groups coexist closely within a shared familial structure. As the nation embarks on a new journey toward building a strong country and realizing national rejuvenation, it’s essential to consolidate this communal identity to rally all ethnic groups in a united effort.
Bai Shan, Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the Shandong Provincial Committee and Secretary of the Party Group of the Shandong Province Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee, shared that in recent years, Shandong Province has organized various seminars focused on themes such as the spirit of Kong Fansen and strengthening the awareness of the national community. These efforts aim to deepen theoretical research on national unity. Additionally, Shandong University has hosted multiple high-level academic seminars, contributing significantly to research findings in ethnology and religious studies. Bai highlighted the hope that Shandong University will further utilize its multidisciplinary advantages to explore an ethnic theory that is distinctively Chinese, clarifying the historical context of the multi-ethnic community of the Chinese nation and enhancing research contributions in Shandong.
Chen Xiaomen, a senior inspector with the Department of Theory Research at the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, reflected on the historical narrative of China, which is a testament to the blending of various ethnic groups into a unified Chinese people. She noted that throughout this process, a robust awareness of the national community has gradually been established. Chen emphasized the vital role of culture, particularly Confucian thought which represents excellent traditional Chinese culture, in shaping this communal identity. She expressed her hope that the National Ethnic Community Research Base at Shandong University would continue to focus on traditional culture to strengthen research efforts in this area.
Mǎ Xiǎolín, a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of Shandong University and Minister of the United Front Work Department, attended the opening ceremony and chaired the proceedings.
