Book explores Fu culture from global perspective

The Chinese and English editions of Fu Culture: A Global Perspective, a book focused on exploring the diversity and coexistence of Fu culture from a global perspective, were launched at a symposium in Beijing on Thursday.

The event brought together officials, scholars, cultural experts, international guests and media representatives.

"The research seeks to identify shared values across cultural and civilizational differences, using the universal pursuit of happiness as a basis for greater understanding and consensus," said Li Mi, a professor at Beijing International Studies University and author of the book.

In his remarks, Chang Bo, the president of China International Communications Group, said the traditional Chinese Fu culture could contribute to cross-cultural dialogue and a broader understanding of human well-being.

Ruan Shiwei, president of the Association for Yan Huang Culture of Fujian, said, "Some academic publications on Fu culture focus excessively on auspicious patterns, folk traditions, and cultural customs, narrowing the meaning of Fu culture and making it appear as though it is merely a superficial decorative element unique to Chinese culture. Others tend to interpret and reconstruct Fu culture through Western cultural perspectives and intellectual frameworks. As a result, the original roots and essence of Chinese Fu culture are weakened."

Rafael Zerbetto, an expert from China International Communications Group, who has been living in China for over 10 years and won the Chinese Government Friendship Award in 2025, said he had learned that "you cannot understand a culture unless you allow it to change you".

He added, "This book invites us into a genuine cultural dialogue in which we are not merely observing, but willing to be transformed by the encounter. And that is the true meaning of Fu in a global perspective. It is about recognizing that happiness is a shared human destination, and that every culture brings its own unique wisdom to the journey."

The discussion also touched on the implications of artificial intelligence for the pursuit of happiness. Zheng Chengjun, vice-president of Beijing International Studies University, said the emergence of AI was changing the ways people experience and pursue happiness. He described Fu as the pursuit of a better life, a better world and a more fulfilling human existence, saying that exploring how to promote goodness in the development and application of AI could become an important direction for future research.

Li Ren contributed to this story.