王琼《石榴花开千百度 永葆江山万年红》

November 2023: Nanjing Remembrance

As the deep autumn maples gracefully fluttered in the streets of Nanjing, I ventured onto this land steeped in historical significance. My intended destination was the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, a sacred site that chronicles one of the most tragic and painful chapters in a nation's history.

Stepping into each exhibition hall of the memorial, I felt as if I had travelled through time, returning to those tumultuous years. Every photograph, every relic, spoke of the cruelty and despair of that era. I sensed an unspeakable heaviness as if an invisible weight pressed upon my heart.

As I reached the final hall, a message board came into view. Many had already shared their thoughts there, each word filled with deep emotion and reflection. Standing there, my pen felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. I knew that at this moment, I had to find the most straightforward yet resounding words to express my most genuine feelings.

Finally, I wrote on the message pad: "Granting the people the agency to engage passionately in crafting their historical tales is the key that unlocks a profound global comprehension of the truth." Each word condensed my thoughts and insights, carrying my respect for history and hope for the future.

Stepping out of the Memorial, I sat beneath the statue of the Goddess of Peace, gazing towards the horizon. I began to ponder the meaning of "people" and "the Chinese people". How had the "民(min)" concept evolved through the ages? From its initial association with enslaved people and captives to later representing subjects and now the people, its meaning had constantly expanded, becoming the foundation of the nation and society.

I recalled the unity of the Qin-Han dynasties, an era of political, military, cultural, and economic unity. Against such a backdrop, the meaning of "min" further expanded. It was no longer merely a symbol of identity but represented the spirit and culture of a nation and people.

Looking at the message pad, I realised that each word carried the weight of history and the people's expectations. I hoped that more people would understand that era and the true meaning of "the people" through my words. Only when we genuinely include the people in history and let them write themselves into it can the world genuinely comprehend that painful truth.

The Pluralistic and Unified Ethnic Community

What are the Chinese people? They are not merely those who carry the Chinese passport but a collective tapestry of historical, cultural, political, and economic threads. Through the twists and turns of Chinese history, they have persevered with an unwavering ethnic spirit, enduring countless hardships and struggles.

In the cultural tapestry of China, the Chinese people have inherited a rich palette of art, philosophy, and values that profoundly shape our thoughts and way of life. These traditions, passed down through generations, are the essence of our identity.

Politically, the Chinese people are those who, under the guidance of the Communist Party of China, have achieved national independence and liberation, built a new China, and explored the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. They enjoy extensive participatory and democratic rights, standing as the foundation and masters of their country.

Economically, since China's reform and opening up, the Chinese people have actively engaged in economic construction and development, achieving remarkable successes. With the world's largest population and domestic market, China has become the second-largest economy. The labour and creativity of the Chinese people are the driving force behind China's sustained economic growth.

The voice of the Chinese people is increasingly heard on the global stage today. We advocate a foreign policy of peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit, actively participating in global governance and international cooperation. Committed to promoting a shared future for humanity, we contribute our share to world peace and development.

The Chinese people are a collective concept encompassing multiple dimensions of history, culture, politics, and economy. We are a nation with a profound historical and cultural heritage that continues to grow and progress politically and economically. In the days ahead, the Chinese people will unswervingly follow their development path, striving for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and realizing the Chinese Dream.

After the founding of New China, fifty-six ethnic groups had their writers, a remarkable feat of pride. Together, they could narrate their Chinese tales, each unique and rich in cultural heritage. I was fortunate to engage in meaningful exchanges with these writers, delving into their thoughts and aspirations.

One serene afternoon, through WeChat, I heard a profound story. A writer from the southwest shared, "Our ethnic group has yet to produce a single doctorate." These words were like a pebble dropped into a serene lake, causing ripples of thought to spread outward. It dawned on me that this was not just an issue for one ethnic group but a widespread educational challenge faced by many minorities.

To many of these writers, knowledge is the key to unlocking one's destiny. They understood that education was the path to escaping the confines of their mountainous homes and stepping into the global arena. All Chinese people share this aspiration, as education is the foundation of a nation's progress and the cornerstone of its revival.

Ethnic literature, a vital expression of the Chinese nation's diversity, reflects not only the lives, cultures, and histories of each group but also serves as a carrier of the collective consciousness of the Chinese people. Through the ages, each ethnic group has used words to document their histories, preserve their cultures, and express their emotions: these words, like brilliant pearls, string together the glorious journey of the Chinese nation.

Ethnic literature is not just about literature; it's about the spiritual home of a people. It deepens our understanding of each ethnic group's cultural traditions, values, and spirit. This understanding, in turn, strengthens the cohesion and centripetal force of the Chinese national community.

In this diverse and united Chinese nation, each ethnic group has its unique story. When woven together, these tales form a vibrant tapestry of Chinese culture. Ethnic literature stands as the most splendid thread in this tapestry.

Let us work together to provide better educational opportunities for every child of these fifty-six ethnic groups. Let knowledge transform their destinies, and let literature nourish their souls. Only then can we truly achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, allowing the writers of all fifty-six ethnic groups to shine brilliantly on the world stage.

Since the unification of writing, thought, and culture during the Qin-Han dynasties, the Chinese have been the steadfast bond of the Chinese national community. Despite the uniqueness of regional dialects, Chinese remains the bridge of communication, carrying the wisdom and emotions of both the past and the present. However, why do Western translation theories sometimes appear inadequate when dealing with the transformation of the Chinese language? This is because, on this land, the dialects of various ethnic groups do not exist in isolation. Instead, they merge and intermingle, each containing elements of the other. Ancient Chinese shares profound origins with languages such as Zang, Jiarong, Qiang, Zhuang, and Miao, much like intertwining threads that collectively weave the beautiful tapestry of Chinese culture.

In this land of diversity, communication among ethnic groups is not merely translation but a process of cultural integration and mutual understanding. Northern dialects have incorporated elements of Xianbei, Mongolian, and Manchu languages, which have merged with Chinese over the centuries, forming a unique linguistic ecology. This unique phenomenon of harmony among the Chinese ethnic groups is complicated to explain using Western equivalence theories entirely.

The Silk Road not only brought prosperity in trade but also introduced Buddhist culture, highly aligned with Confucian and Taoist thought. At this time, Sanskrit was genuinely regarded as a foreign language seeking equivalence. In this blend of multiculturalism, various ethnic groups chose to create in Chinese, solidifying the foundation of the Chinese national community. Nowadays, outstanding works from multiple ethnic groups are presented in Chinese, exhibiting the infinite charm of Chinese literature. These works not only tell the stories of individual ethnic groups but also narrate the tale of the Chinese nation, serving as a shared spiritual treasure for people worldwide.

Regrettably, no English anthology is still dedicated to collecting the works of various ethnic groups in China. We, the entire Chinese nation, look forward to accomplishing this endeavour—to tell our own stories in English and invite the world to listen to this beautiful and wise tapestry of diversity and unity.

May this surging Chinese voice resonate with fellow Chinese globally and allow people from all corners of the world to embrace the theme of a community with a shared future for humanity advocated by the Chinese. Let all humankind comprehend China and recognise that the path of peaceful development and Chinese-style modernisation is the ultimate choice for all.