Li Xuetao: The Influence of Foreign Cultures on New China
On January 10, the fourth digital lecture series, “Chinese Perspectives: China and the World Through the Eyes of Scholars,” was successfully held. Jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at Freie Universität Berlin and the Confucius Institute Metropolis Ruhr, and co-organized by the Confucius Institutes at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan State University, and La Sapienza University of Rome, the series invited top Chinese scholars to provide in-depth insights into current developments in China and the world. The lectures aim to introduce Chinese scholars’ perspectives into European public discussions through dialogue and exchange.
In this session, Professor Li Xuetao from Beijing Foreign Studies University delivered a lecture titled “The Influence of Foreign Cultures on New China.” He systematically reviewed the profound impact of foreign cultures on Chinese society since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. From the early influence of foreign cultures marked by Soviet cultural aid, literature, and contributions of overseas intellectuals, to the interruption and gradual restoration of cultural exchanges during and after the Cultural Revolution, and finally the large-scale introduction of foreign cultures after the 1979 Reform and Opening-up, Professor Li emphasized the critical role of cross-cultural exchanges in driving China’s modernization and cultural self-renewal.
Foreign Cultures and the Evolution of New China’s Culture
Professor Li analyzed the influence of foreign cultures on New China across several historical stages:
1949 to the Pre-Cultural Revolution Period: Initial Integration and Cooperation
After its founding, New China engaged in extensive cooperation with socialist countries like the Soviet Union, which significantly influenced its literature, arts, and sciences. Many overseas-educated intellectuals, such as Qian Xuesen and Hua Luogeng, played pivotal roles in nation-building.
The Cultural Revolution: Interruption and Sporadic Transmission of Cultural Exchange
During the Cultural Revolution, cultural exchanges were almost entirely interrupted. However, through publications and translations of Western literature and ideas, foreign influences still provided inspiration to China’s intellectual community.
Post-Reform and Opening-Up: Comprehensive Introduction and Profound Impact
Since the 1979 Reform and Opening-Up, China has embraced foreign cultures on a large scale. The translation of numerous Western classics has invigorated China’s academic and cultural landscape. Professor Li highlighted that the collision and integration of cultures have enabled China to build a modern cultural system closely connected to the world.
The development of new Chinese culture from the perspective of cross-cultural integration
“New China’s achievements are inseparable from the participation of foreign cultures.”Professor Li’s assertion is firmly rooted in historical evidence and data.
Scientific and Technological Development: From 1949 to 1955, 1,536 intellectuals returned to China from the West, including renowned figures like Qian Xuesen, Li Siguang, and Hua Luogeng. Their contributions laid a strong foundation for China’s industrialization and defense technology. Qian Xuesen, appointed as the first director of the Fifth Research Institute of National Defense, exemplified the transformative potential of cross-cultural collaboration.
Soviet Influence: The Soviet Union provided crucial technical and cultural assistance in the early years of New China. Institutions like Beijing Foreign Studies University originated as Russian language schools during the war and later expanded to train multilingual translators, playing a key role in Sino-Soviet exchanges.
Western Literature During the Cultural Revolution: Despite restrictions on foreign cultures, some Western literary and philosophical works were circulated covertly, shaping a generation of Chinese thinkers and writers. Bei Dao remarked that these translations brought about “revolutionary linguistic changes” in Chinese literature.
Post-1979 Developments: After reopening to the world, China has translated tens of thousands of foreign works annually. This cultural openness not only enriched Chinese literature and thought but also deepened mutual understanding between China and other nations. Notably, in the late 1970s, Chinese scholars began directly translating Marxist classics from German, bypassing intermediary Russian translations, signaling a new phase of academic self-renewal and internationalization.
As German philosopher Wolfgang Welsch observed, the essence of culture lies in cross-cultural integration. Professor Li argued that since 1949, China’s cultural development and innovation have been inseparable from its openness to foreign cultures, contributing not only to China’s modernization but also to global cultural diversity.
The Value and Challenges of Cross-Cultural Exchange
Combining his own research and experience, Professor Li Xuetao explored the importance of cross-cultural communication. He pointed out that culture should not be seen as an isolated unit, but a bridge for mutual integration. From the perspective of global history, he further demonstrated that contact with heterogeneous cultures is an important driving force for social change.
Regarding how Chinese scholars can better express their views on the international stage, Professor Li emphasized the importance of logical argumentation. He quoted Habermas’s “discussion ethics” and specifically mentioned the existence of cross-cultural platforms such as Confucius Institutes, which have built a platform for discussion and communication for scholars and the public around the world, enabling Chinese scholars to share their research results with international peers, and also providing a direct window for foreign public to understand Chinese culture and ideas. The existence of Confucius Institutes makes cultural dialogue between China and the West more possible, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing consensus through dialogue.
As a bridge for communication between China and the world, Confucius Institutes have played a unique role in promoting cultural exchanges and cross-cultural understanding. The successful holding of this lecture is a microcosm of the Confucius Institute’s promotion of academic and cultural dialogue between China and Europe. Confucius Institutes are not only language education institutions, but also an important base for the dissemination of Chinese culture. By organizing a variety of cultural activities, exhibitions and special lectures, Confucius Institutes help people around the world to have a deeper understanding of China’s history, philosophy and social development. Especially in the process of globalization, Confucius Institutes have become a catalyst for cross-cultural cooperation and understanding.
Conclusion: Looking Forward Through Historical Experience
Whether it is the cultural assistance from the Soviet Union in 1949, the introduction of a large number of Western ideas after 1979, or the deep integration of modern cross-culture, China’s development has always been inseparable from foreign culture. Through this lecture, European audiences not only deepened their understanding of China’s cultural changes, but also realized the great creativity and possibilities contained in cultural collisions.
About Professor Li Xuetao
Born in 1965 in Jiangsu Province, China, Professor Li Xuetao holds a Master’s in Literature and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Bonn, Germany. A member of the German National Academy of Sciences, he is the Dean of the School of History/Institute of Global History at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Deputy Director of the China Overseas Sinology Research Center. His research spans German philosophy, Chinese Buddhist history, and cross-cultural studies, with a focus on Sino-German intellectual exchanges.
Images:
Ferdinand von Richthofen, the German geographer who first coined the term “Silk Road” in 1877.
The first Chinese-English glossary, “General Vocabulary of Red-Haired Foreign Words,” published in Guangzhou in 1835.
Professor Li Xuetao during the lecture.