Work together to promote Zhuzi culture and enhance the emotional connection between the two sides of the strait

【Strait Focus】

Originated in Fujian, the Zhuzi culture has a deep foundation and far-reaching influence on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and is an important spiritual force to promote the emotional connection and spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. On April 10, when General Secretary Xi Jinping met with Ma Ying-jeou and his entourage in Beijing, he stressed that compatriots on both sides of the strait should strengthen their self-confidence in Chinese culture, consciously be the guardians, inheritors and promoters of Chinese culture, enhance the sense of belonging, identity and honor of the Chinese nation, and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. At present, in the trend of the times of cross-strait integration and development, it is timely and timely to promote the cross-strait joint inheritance and promotion of Zhuzi culture, which is conducive to the two sides of the strait to inherit the historical context, compose the chapter of the times, and share the glory of civilization.

A long history: Zhuzi culture has a far-reaching influence in Taiwan

Zhu Xi studied the Tao of Confucius and Mencius all his life, blended Buddhism and Taoism with the doctrine of Zhuzi, and left more than 70 works of more than 460 volumes for future generations.

Zhuzi culture was introduced to Taiwan in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and became the common cultural gene and resource of the people on both sides of the strait. Zhuzi culture mainly spread to Taiwan through two channels: "Guanqu" and "Minqu". "Guanqu" refers to the cultural dissemination promoted by the government. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, after Zheng Chenggong expelled the Dutch colonists and recovered Taiwan, he devoted himself to promoting Confucianism as an important cultural resource for governing Taiwan. In this process, Zhu Zixue was systematically introduced to Taiwan as an orthodox Confucianism and became part of official education. "Minqu" refers to the spontaneous cultural inheritance of the people. A large number of coastal residents from Fujian moved into Taiwan, and the Zhuzi culture was also introduced. Through unofficial channels such as family education, religious activities, and community organizations, the moral education and humanistic spirit in Zhuzixue have gradually taken root in the hearts of the people.

In the context of hundreds of years of history, Zhuzi culture has evolved into an important ideological value concept in Taiwan. Taipei Confucius Temple sacrifices Zhuzi after Confucius, Kinmen, Hsinchu, Chiayi and other places have Zhuzi Temple, Zhuzi School, Zhuzi Gong Temple, Zhuzi Sacrifice Ceremony, Zhuzi Cultural Festival, Zhuzi Cultural Forum and other activities are not uncommon. The influence of Zhuzi culture on the cultural structure, way of thinking, ethics and morality, and lifestyle of Taiwanese society is extensive and far-reaching.

Flourishing: Inheritance and promotion are fruitful

As the common belonging of the souls of compatriots on both sides of the strait, Zhuzi culture has become more flourishing and glorious in the joint inheritance and promotion.

Cultural institutions were established one after another. The two sides of the strait focus on Zhuzi culture, and promote the gathering of various high-quality resources through the establishment of platforms such as the Zhuzi Studies Research Center and the Zhuzi Culture Research Association. For example, in 2019, the Cross-Strait Academy Alliance was established in Fuzhou, and 10 Fujian academies and 8 Taiwan academies joined the alliance to jointly promote the inheritance and promotion of excellent traditional Chinese culture on both sides of the strait. In 2022, the Zhuzi Studies Research Center of Fujian Minnan Culture Research Association was established, actively bringing together the wisdom and strength of experts, scholars and Zhuzi culture lovers in southern Fujian, both sides of the Taiwan Strait and even all over the country, and is committed to the collation, research, inheritance and promotion of Zhuzi culture on both sides of the strait. The World Zhu Federation of the World, the Association for the Promotion of Zhuzi Cultural Exchanges on Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait, and the Northern Fujian Zhuzi Descendants Association were established to promote cross-strait exchanges and exchanges with Zhuzi culture as a link.

Cultural studies blossom in many places. The two sides of the strait deeply excavate the rich philosophical thoughts, humanistic spirit, and moral concepts contained in Zhuzi culture, and promote the in-depth development of Zhuzi cultural research. The cross-strait Zhuzi Cultural Festival has become a cultural event jointly participated in and promoted by both sides of the strait, with rich and diverse activities, through academic seminars, cultural exhibitions, traditional etiquette experience, tea culture experience, etc., to fully demonstrate the profound heritage and modern value of Zhuzi culture. Each cultural festival has attracted celebrities, experts and scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as Zhuzi cultural researchers, to further promote cross-strait cultural exchanges and cooperation through a series of activities, and enhance the cultural identity and spiritual harmony of compatriots on both sides of the strait. The Cross-Strait Zhuzi Culture Forum also attracted experts and scholars from universities and scientific research institutions on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to conduct in-depth discussions on Zhuzi's Yixue and scientific thoughts, Zhuzi's four calligraphy and etiquette research, Zhuzi's multiple interpretations and developments, as well as the universality and regionality of Zhuzi culture, and the creative transformation and innovative development of Zhuzi culture.

Cultural activities are thriving. In recent years, the academic, cultural and educational circles on both sides of the strait have continued to promote the inheritance and promotion of Zhuzi culture and strengthen brand exchanges and communication. Since 2008, the "Zhuzi Road" study camp has been actively participated by nearly 1,000 teachers and students from dozens of colleges and universities on both sides of the strait. Through the study of Zhuzi culture, young people on both sides of the strait have deepened their understanding and recognition of the excellent traditional Chinese culture. In addition, through the Zhuzi sacrifice ceremony, the Fujian and Taiwan youth Zhuzi culture research camp, the "Walking Ten Thousand Miles Tea Ceremony, Tracing the Footprints of Zhuzi" 100 Taiwanese scholars (students) Fujian Nanping Photography Camp, Zhuzi Culture Source Journey and other activities, people on both sides of the strait were able to immerse themselves in the inheritance of Zhuzi culture.

Cultural landmarks continue to shape. Fujian is committed to building a Zhuzi Cultural Brand Park, and has successively built Internet celebrity check-in points such as Zhuzi Culture (Nanping) Ecological Reserve and Zhuzi Culture (Youxi) Ecological Reserve. Zhuzi Cultural Park - Zhuzi Cultural Exchange Zone on both sides of the Taiwan Strait has become an important project for the integration and development of cross-strait culture, and is an important part of the brand building of Zhuzi culture, which has a positive effect on the inheritance and development of Zhuzi culture, the integration and development of Zhuzi culture and tourism, education and other industries, and the promotion of Zhuzi culture in the country and even the world. In January 2024, the Fujian-Taiwan Youth Integration Digital Culture IP Comprehensive Pavilion will be unveiled, and multiple special areas will display Zhuzi culture and modern creative design "Dahua Xiyou" IP cultural and creative products, forming a new business format of "landmark + cultural creativity", providing a platform for exchanges and cooperation among young people in Fujian and Taiwan.

Carrying forward the past and forging ahead into the future: working together to dig deep into the cultural "bonanza"

Zhuzi culture is a common treasure on both sides of the strait, and it still shines with the light of wisdom. In order to further dig into the "rich mine" of Zhuzi culture and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of Zhuzi culture, compatriots on both sides of the strait can focus on the following aspects.

Learn from each other's strengths and build a highland for Zhuzi cultural innovation research. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait can integrate their respective academic resources, concentrate outstanding scholars on both sides of the strait, and jointly establish special research institutions or research centers for Zhuzi culture, promote the research and academic exchanges of Zhuzi culture, promote the innovation and transformation of academic achievements, and form a research highland. Seminars and academic exchanges on Zhuzi culture on both sides of the strait will be held on a regular basis to encourage scholars to share research results, promote the collision and integration of academic ideas on both sides of the strait, learn from each other's strengths, and promote the in-depth development of Zhuzi cultural research. Encourage interdisciplinary cooperation, use digital technology to protect and display Zhuzi cultural heritage, combine Zhuzi cultural research with modern science and technology, art, education and other fields, and explore new research methods and approaches.

Interconnection, to create a Zhuzi culture protection and development system. The two sides of the strait can work together to formulate a plan for the protection and development of Zhuzi's cultural heritage, clarify the protection objectives, development principles and specific measures, and promote the scientific and rational protection and sustainable development of Zhuzi's cultural heritage. Collect and sort out relevant literature, pictures, audio and video and other materials, establish a cultural heritage database, realize resource sharing, better protect and inherit the cultural heritage of Zhuzi, and also provide convenience for researchers. Combined with the protection of Zhuzi cultural heritage, we will develop cultural tourism products and research travel projects, and create characteristic tourism routes of Zhuzi culture, so that more people can understand Zhuzi culture.

The past is used for the present, and the modern values of Zhuzi culture are disseminated. To speed up the organic connection between tradition and modernity, the two sides of the strait can jointly refine the modern values and spiritual identity of Zhuzi culture, innovate the communication methods of Zhuzi culture, and diversify the design of various channels such as the "academy system", cultural readers, township rules and regulations, online media, and activities and events, so as to encourage new discourse expressions with high acceptance. Build a community of young people's interest in Zhuzi culture on both sides of the strait, enhance friendship with reason, literature and morality, and help cultivate an objective, historical and multi-dimensional ideological realm and long-term vision.

Walk side by side to create an open and inclusive environment that promotes Zhuzi culture. An open platform for cultural exchange can be established to encourage scholars, artists, and cultural workers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and other countries and regions to participate in the research and creation of Zhuzi culture, so as to promote the diversified development of culture. Through international conferences, exhibitions, performances and other forms, we will promote the internationalization of Zhuzi culture. Learn from the successful experience of other countries in cultural inheritance and innovation, provide new ideas for the development of Zhuzi culture, and create an atmosphere of respect and love for excellent traditional culture in the whole society.

Source: Guangming Daily