Beyond Confucius in the Narrative War with the West
In a world of growing ideological competition, China has gone a long way toward reclaiming its intellectual legacy to reinterpret its philosophy of governance. Beyond merely revering Confucius, China recently established the Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai. Such a move reflects the wider initiative to tap into ancient Chinese philosophies as counterpoints to Western models of governance.
Reclaiming China’s Intellectual Heritage
For decades, China's Communist Party had rejected Confucianism, along with other ancient Chinese philosophies, as remnants of a feudal past, instead working to modernize the country on Marxist and socialist ideals. Under President Xi Jinping, however, there has been a marked resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese thought. Xi has underscored the importance of Confucian ethics and governance principles in framing China's contemporary ideology, marking a partial turn toward cultural roots as a means of reinforcing China's global influence.
The newly established Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute represents another milestone on this road. Named after Zhu Xi, one of the most important philosophers of the Song Dynasty, the institute works on integrating a wider range of ancient philosophies, such as Legalism, Daoism, and Mohism into China's governance discourse. Drawing from the 2,000-year-old treasure of China's intellectuals, the institute aims to give modern answers with the help of historical wisdom.
The Ruzang Project and Confucian Revival
Meanwhile, the Zhuzi Research Institute supplements the Ruzang Project, or "Confucian Canon." This ambitious project, launched in 2003 and promoted under the leadership of Xi Jinping in 2014, aims to publish the most complete collection of Confucian texts ever assembled. Contributing to the Ruzang Project are almost 500 scholars; the project underlines China's commitment to drawing on its philosophical traditions for governance and societal development.However, the Confucian revival is not without its challenges. Domestically, Confucianism is often seen as a Han-centric ideology, which could limit its appeal in China's diverse society. Internationally, geopolitical tensions with the West create barriers to using Confucian principles as a universal governance model. Yet Beijing seems undeterred, inviting international scholars to contribute to the Ruzang Project in a bid to extend its influence beyond its borders.
Competing Narratives on Governance
China’s embrace of its philosophical heritage is not merely an academic exercise. It is a strategic move in the broader narrative war with the West. By promoting philosophies like Confucianism and Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism, China presents an alternative governance model that prioritizes harmony, collectivism, and ethical leadership. This contrasts sharply with the Western emphasis on individualism, liberal democracy, and market-driven systems.
The Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute epitomizes China's determination to make its ideological grounding strong. Scholars here strive to interpret ancient Chinese philosophies in a manner that responds to modern-day issues and provides answers based on Chinese wisdom. These are all part of a broader campaign to place China as a global intellectual leader with the capacity to challenge Western dominance in shaping governance ideals.
Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Governance
The Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute and the Ruzang Project represent China's determination to reclaim its intellectual heritage and put it into practice as a tool for modern governance. In fact, going beyond Confucius to explore other ancient schools of thought has allowed China to emphasize its multifaceted and multilayered philosophical traditions. This intellectual renaissance fits within President Xi Jinping's vision of using Chinese culture for inspiration and strength on the global stage.
With the deepening ideological rivalry with the West, China's emphasis on its ancient philosophies will continue to be highly relevant to framing its version of the global narrative. Whether that succeeds in drawing worldwide acceptance is a question, but there is little doubt this marks an important development in the search for Chinese identity and influence in today's world.
modern governance inspired by ancient wisdom