Xi Jinping: How to Read Confucius and Other Chinese Classical Thinkers

301 Pages·2015·1.61 MB·Chinese

by  Fenzhi Zhang

Copyright © 2015 by CN Times Books, Inc.
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T C
ABLE OF ONTENTS
Preface
I
National Governance
II
Politics
III
Diligence
IV
Education
V
Self-Cultivation
VI
Individual Conduct
VII
Foreign Affairs
VIII
Miscellaneous
Index
P
REFACE
Throughout the ages, every national leader who ran a country well and ensured
national security has understood the value of history. History is a mirror—it not
only reflects on the past, but also examines the present. To enrich our literary
legacy, inspire respect, and promote traditional national culture, it is necessary
for Party leaders and personnel to read classical Chinese literature and history,
whatever their posts are. This is a compulsory course, along with the intrinsic
requirements of people skills, and the ability to plan for the future.
In the past two years, Xi Jinping, in significant domestic and international
speeches, has often quoted Chinese classics or the proverbs of other countries to
reinforce his important points and demonstrate his disciplined pursuit of
wisdom. These quotations contain profound philosophy and radiate the ray of
intelligence.
This new collection, Xi Jinping: How to Read Confucius and Other Chinese
Classical Thinkers, lists over 200 classical quotations and reflects the
achievement of Xi Jinping’s extensive reading and diligent studies. We can
clearly discern two distinct features of Xi Jinping’s studies of the ancient
classics: First, he reads extensively. From the Four Books to the Five Classics,
Tang-Song poetry to folk sayings, he has written commentaries and analyses,
which exhibit his expertise in absorbing and explaining traditional Chinese
culture. Second, he regards history as a mirror and tries to apply what he has
learned from history. Over the past 20 years, Xi Jinping has taken time from
numerous governmental and public duties to write articles, and classical
allusions can be found in almost every article, allusions that not only promote
our literary history, but are also practical and instructional.
Having their own unique charm, Chinese classics are the essence of our
traditional culture, the cultural lifeblood of the nation, and a precious spiritual
treasure in the history of human civilization. Today’s China is going through
unprecedented major transformations and is on the path of realizing the China
Dream. We must inherit the legacy of this magnificent culture and apply its
ideological essence to broaden our horizons, hone our sensibilities, and observe
reality, so as to comprehensively deepen the reform and enable the great
rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
PART
I
NATIONAL GOVERNANCE
I
1.
Those who cannot see the overall situation cannot govern a region.
X J ’ C
I INPING S OMMENTARY
“Those who cannot see the overall situation cannot govern a region.” Officials
from different departments and units should be able to perceive the overall
situation. Above all, we need to consider whether the proposed major reforming
measures conform to the overall requirements and are in favor of the long-term
development of the Party and country. We need to look forward, think ahead,
and plan in advance. Only in this way can our final mandates be truly suitable
for the development needs of the Party and the people.
Xi Jinping, “Explanations on Decisions of the CPC Central Committee on
several major issues of comprehensively deepening reform,” People’s Daily,
Nov. 16, 2013.
S T
OURCE EXT
Those who do not have long-term perspective cannot achieve success in short-
term; those who cannot see the overall situation cannot govern a region.
Source: Wu Yan: Qian Du Jian Fan Yi
Explanation: Those who do not hold an overall viewpoint and deal with
problems from an overall perspective cannot be good governors of a region.
Author: Chen Danran (1859–1930), courtesy name Jiantan,1 was born in
Tongcheng, Anhui. He was raised in a poor family. His father educated him
from the time he was a small child. At the age of 9, he was able to write articles,
which showed his intelligence and creativity. Later, he took the imperial
examination in Tongcheng and stood out among thousands of candidates. In the
19th year of the Guangxu period, Chen passed the examination and became a
provincial graduate. Chen was quite conceited and unrestrained; he not only had
distinct academic opinions, which earned him the nicknames “wild talent” and
“mad scholar,” but also dared to express different political ideas. He never
parroted the opinions of others, which proved him to be a man of courage.
A
NALYSIS
The sentence “those who cannot see the overall situation cannot govern a
region” describes the relationship between “overall” and “a region,” that is, the
relationship between the whole and the part.
General Secretary Xi Jinping quoted the sentence to educate personnel of all
levels that only those who can see the whole picture are able to govern a region.
Hence, before proposing major reform measures and when dealing with major
issues concerning the overall situation, we must see the whole picture and think
from an overall perspective. Only in this case can we make forward-looking,
logical, and correct decisions, as well as seize opportunities and achieve constant
progress in a greater and broader range of time and space.
2.
A powerful yet warlike country cannot survive.
X J ’ C
I INPING S OMMENTARY
The proverb “a powerful yet warlike country cannot survive” has been known
since ancient times. Other similar ideas, such as “choosing peace as the best
option,” “harmony in diversity,” “turn swords into jade and silk,” “the country is
prosperous and the people are at peace,” “remain on friendly terms with the
neighbors,” “peace reigns over the land,” and “supreme harmony worldwide”
have been passed on from generation to generation.
Xi Jinping, “Speech at Körber-STIFTUNG” (Mar. 28, 2014), People’s Daily,
Mar. 30, 2014.
S T
OURCE EXT
To protect its people, a country should not neglect farming season or start war