Ancient wisdom for global challenges

In a city where the ancient Silk Road still lingers in stone and wind, the Third World Conference of Sinologists unfolded not merely as an academic gathering, but as a lived encounter between civilizations.

Bringing together more than 300 Sinologists, policymakers and cultural practitioners from nearly 70 countries and regions, the conference on Wednesday in Dunhuang, Gansu province, explored how Chinese cultural values and development experiences can offer fresh perspectives on some of today's shared global challenges.

"Today, the world needs more dialogue than confrontation and more understanding than prejudice," said Joel Mikael Walker, a German content creator and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. "What Chinese culture addresses are some of the most universal questions facing humanity.

"Chinese culture has much to contribute to addressing these challenges. It is not a relic in a museum, but a living system of wisdom that continues to speak to the modern world."

Walker's perspective echoed one of the recurring themes throughout the conference: that Chinese culture is increasingly being viewed not only as a subject of historical study, but also as a source of contemporary insight.

"We live in a time of conflict, environmental pressures and growing anxiety," he said. "Concepts from Chinese philosophy offer valuable perspectives on many of the challenges facing the world today.

"The balance of yin and yang teaches us that differences can coexist. The idea of harmony between humanity and nature reminds us to reconcile with the environment. The concept of preventing disease before it occurs emphasizes foresight rather than remedy," Walker said. "These ideas are not only China's treasures. They belong to humanity."

Many Sinologists extended that discussion beyond culture to China's broader development experience.

Andrey Kortunov, former director-general of the Russian International Affairs Council, said one of the distinctive features of China's engagement with the world is its ability to understand the needs of other countries, particularly those in the Global South.

"There is a great deal of empathy in the Chinese approach to international engagement," Kortunov said."China tries to understand what other nations need in terms of development and security, and how it might assist them."

He also highlighted flexibility and continuity as defining features of this approach.

"Consistency means predictability, and predictability brings trust," he said, noting that many countries regard China as a reliable long-term partner.