【Text by Observers Network, Xiong Chaoran】

From October 13 to 15, the Second World Chinese Studies Conference was held in Shanghai. On the morning of the 15th, just before the conference was about to close, a media interview room on the third floor of the Shanghai International Convention Center was surrounded by journalists "layer upon layer."

As one of the "highlight events" in this year's conference agenda, Zhang Weiwei, a special professor at Fudan University and director of the China Institute, engaged in a dialogue with Dmitriy Trenin, a renowned Russian political scholar and senior researcher at the China Institute of Fudan University. From "unipolarity versus multipolarity," to discussions on "civilization-type states," and reflections on "cultural colonization," the two scholars with profound academic backgrounds delivered an impressive "intellectual feast."

Trenin believes that the multipolar forces represented by many countries including China and Russia are rising, and all countries should stand up publicly to oppose unipolarity and hegemonism. He praised China as the "pioneer" of multipolarity and the most successful non-Western civilization. China has never lost its sense of identity in its own civilization throughout its development process, which is truly a "miracle."

On October 14, Zhang Weiwei delivered a keynote speech at the sub-forum "Looking at China from the World: The Continuation and Innovation of Civilization" at the Second World Chinese Studies Conference. He pointed out that as early as November 2010, 15 years ago, in his paper "The Chinese Model from the Perspective of a 'Civilization-Type State'," he systematically outlined the eight characteristics of China as a "civilization-type state." Under the guidance of the Chinese model, these features of China as a "civilization-type state" have formed the greatest advantage for China's rise.

Professor Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute at Fudan University, speaking at the sub-forum "Looking at China from the World: The Continuation and Innovation of Civilization" at the Second World Chinese Studies Conference. Observers Network

In the dialogue, Trenin also stated that Professor Zhang Weiwei is one of the earliest scholars to elaborate on the concept of a "civilization-type state." From this perspective, "China once again leads us." "This is not accidental. China has become a gathering place for people from different civilizations, which is also related to Professor Zhang Weiwei and other Chinese scholars."

The Rising Multipolar Forces Need to "Conspire"

At the beginning of the dialogue, Zhang Weiwei mentioned that China had recently held a grand ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Meanwhile, U.S. President Trump posted a sarcastic comment claiming that "China, Russia, and North Korea conspired against the United States."

"How do you interpret this sarcastic comment? What is your view on Trump and Sino-Russian relations?" Zhang Weiwei asked Trenin.

Trenin revealed that he had recently written a new book about Trump. After studying the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) plan, he found that MAGA itself is an ideology with "revolutionary characteristics"—acknowledging multipolarity, focusing on domestic issues in the U.S., and ultimately aiming to end globalism and hegemonic politics.

However, after Trump returned to power, his actions were not "pure" MAGA. In addition to part of MAGA, there was another part, which was neoconservatism, and it was criticized by "MAGA fundamentalists."

Trenin believes that Trump clearly "betrayed" MAGA. One of the most important clues is that he previously promised to release documents regarding the Epstein case, but now pretends that such documents don't exist. Moreover, what is Trump following—prioritizing Israel or prioritizing the U.S.?

Dmitriy Trenin, a renowned Russian political scholar and senior researcher at the China Institute of Fudan University, participating in the sub-forum "Looking at China from the World: The Continuation and Innovation of Civilization" at the Second World Chinese Studies Conference. Observers Network

Returning to Trump's "sneer" during the September 3rd military parade, Trenin said that rather than calling it a "conspiracy," it should be defined as a "strategic plan." Indeed, there are two completely opposite and incompatible visions in today's world—unipolarity and multipolarity. However, Trump still insists on the unipolar model.

Trenin pointed out that the rising multipolar forces include China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Islamic countries, African countries, Latin American countries, and the BRICS nations. This is why Trump used the term "conspiracy," claiming that these countries are "conspiring" against the U.S.

But he believes that these countries should "conspire" to oppose unipolarity and hegemonism. Not only that, they should openly "conspire," which is essentially a "strategic plan."

"We need to develop a plan for multipolarity. We need to openly talk about it, explore it, study it, and lift the veil of discourse," Trenin emphasized: "And I believe that China is the 'driver' of multipolarity, the most successful non-Western civilization, achieving such achievements, and without losing its sense of identity in its own civilization during its development process. That is a miracle."

"I think today's China is a miracle. I believe that China is a driver of something greater, not just maintaining its own national interests. China begins to think about humanity, think about the world, and increasingly discovers its huge potential to reshape the world based on multipolarity and strategic thinking."

Research on "Civilization-Type States" – Russia Needs to Learn from China

In the subsequent dialogue, the two scholars also discussed "civilization-type states." Trenin stated that Professor Zhang Weiwei is one of the earliest scholars to elaborate on the concept of a "civilization-type state," and he himself has just completed a new book on "civilization-type states," citing Professor Zhang's views.

He believes that from this point, "China once again leads us." "As some of the people here can see, this is not accidental. China has become a gathering place for people from different civilizations, which is also related to Professor Zhang Weiwei and other Chinese scholars. Therefore, I believe this is a solution to the problem."

At the sub-forum "Looking at China from the World: The Continuation and Innovation of Civilization" of the Second World Chinese Studies Conference. Observers Network

On September 7 this year, the Xinhua News Agency Research Institute released the report "Cultural Colonization: The Means, Roots, and International Hazards of America's Cognitive Warfare," systematically revealing the operational mechanisms and hazards of the U.S. global cognitive warfare through cultural infiltration and value exports.

Zhang Weiwei also mentioned this report and introduced to the audience at the dialogue that Trenin, commissioned by the Russian government, is leading the revision of textbooks in humanities and social sciences, aiming to eliminate Western influence on Russia and reshape the national consciousness of Russians. This is obviously a very important and highly concerned project.

Trenin pointed out that Western civilization is just one of many civilizations, not the only one. However, the arrogance of Western civilization lies in trying to equate itself with "universality." In fact, Western values contain an implicit racism, colonialism, and imperialist ambition, attempting to make its values the universal values for all humanity, such as so-called "market economy," "democratic politics," "party system," "citizenship," and "human rights."

Based on this, Trenin later found that the humanities and social sciences fields in Russia have already been "colonized," because their knowledge systems are mainly built on the acceptance of Western "universalism." He explained that after starting the textbook revisions and pointing out the shortcomings, Russia has begun the second stage work—promoting new textbooks based on Russian civilization and traditional values.

"Because our education is not truly 'Russian,' but highly 'Westernized.' " Trenin said, Russian traditional values have not only been hijacked in the past 30 years, but also in the past 100 years, including the Soviet era, even earlier. Since Peter the Great, Westernization has already entered the minds of Russians. "We need to restore the roots and self-awareness of our civilization."

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561399700193837608/

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