In the era of globalization, the issue of culture is not just about preserving national identity but also about the need for integration and development. China, with its 5000-year-old cultural tradition, faces the challenge of maintaining Eastern identity while proactively integrating into the flow of human civilization. On this foundation, Xi Jinping has put forward the thought of integrating Eastern culture with human civilization, seeing it as an important strategic direction for the country's development.

Xi Jinping's thought did not arise randomly but was formed from various historical and philosophical sources. First, it is based on the Chinese cultural tradition, with Confucianism playing a pivotal role, emphasizing values such as humanity, propriety, wisdom, trust, harmony, and social responsibility. At the same time, it is also influenced by Marxist-Leninist thought regarding the role of social consciousness and culture in national development. In the context of integration, China faces pressures from the West in terms of economics, technology, and culture, which calls for a model that both preserves its identity and actively absorbs the essence of human civilization.

The "Community with a Shared Future for Humanity" proposed by Xi Jinping is the result of a synthesis between Marxist theory and the contemporary realities of globalization. Thus, the theoretical foundation combining East and West, tradition and modernity, has formed the basis of his cultural thought.

According to Xi Jinping, culture is the soul of the nation, the spiritual strength, and the foundation for building the nation's soft power. Therefore, the first priority is to preserve and promote the traditional values of the East, especially values of humanity, harmony, wisdom, and social ethics. These are not only the source of national identity but also the foundation to enhance international prestige.

Alongside preservation, he emphasizes the importance of selectively absorbing the essence of human civilization. Not all foreign values are suitable, but a strategic selection of achievements in science, technology, education, and art will help the nation enhance its creativity and ability to integrate globally. This way, China can both access modern knowledge while maintaining its distinct cultural foundation.

More importantly, Xi Jinping believes that all theoretical thoughts are only meaningful when they are transformed into policies and practical actions. In the field of education, this is reflected in the combination of teaching Confucianism, Eastern philosophy, and national history with modern science and art. In diplomacy, China promotes "cultural diplomacy" through cultural centers, international cooperation programs, and academic exchanges, thereby promoting its identity while learning from the world. In the cultural industry, many art works combine ethnic elements with modern technology, creating products that both showcase Eastern identity and are accessible to foreign markets.

In recent years, China has strongly implemented this thought. On one hand, the national education system emphasizes "traditional cultural education" alongside "global education." On the other hand, the "Belt and Road" strategy is not just an economic project, but also a cultural exchange channel, creating opportunities for China to export cultural products while absorbing new values from other civilizations.

In the media sector, film companies and digital platforms have actively integrated traditional content (mythology, history, folk culture) with modern technology, forming a cultural and creative industry with international influence. This contributes to enhancing China's "soft power" and international status in the context of global competition.

An important feature of Xi Jinping's thought is the avoidance of two extremes: being closed and conservative or losing identity through assimilation. This is also the challenge for many countries in globalization, especially those in Southeast Asia. Compared to the West, this approach tends to favor "harmony" over "assimilation," focusing on "creativity based on tradition" rather than "breaking from tradition."

For Vietnam, this thought offers many lessons. Vietnam needs to strengthen the foundation of national culture, promoting core values such as community spirit, patriotism, humanity, and a love of learning. At the same time, Vietnam should actively absorb the essence of human civilization in a selective manner, avoiding the erosion of identity through foreign influences. Cultural diplomacy should also be considered a strategic pillar to promote Vietnam's friendly, creative, and rich cultural image. Particularly, the combination of preservation and creativity based on heritage will help culture become a driving force for development in the context of globalization.

It can be seen that Xi Jinping's thought on the integration of Eastern culture with human civilization not only shapes China's cultural strategy but also provides important reference values for countries in the region, including Vietnam. Building a culture that is both rich in identity and integrated internationally will be the foundation for sustainable development and active contributions to the global community with a shared future.

Author: Professor Dr. Pham Van Duc,Former Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam Philosophical Association

From: International academic symposium on Xi Jinping thoughton culture