Volume 1, Number 1
Published: 01 January 2025
-
Research articlePages
The Taoist Connotation of Guan Hexagram in Zhou Yi
Yan LuGuan Hexagram is the twentieth of the sixty-four hexagrams in Zhou Yi. The hexagram describes the rituals of sacrificial activities, and the line describes the “watching” behavior in different states. “The wind spreads on the earth, and the ancient kings observe the people and set up teachings” is its original connotation. In the Taoist discourse system, the concept of Guan has been fully developed, and it has multiple meanings. Extending from the literal semantics of “watching”, Guan runs through Taoist architecture, Taoist philosophical thoughts, and Taoist cultivation methods. In this sense, the word Guan can be regarded as one of the cores of the Taoist ideological system, which mediates and concretizes the relationship between man and God. -
Research articlePages
Harmony of Heaven, Earth and Human: An Aesthetic Anthropological Analysis of the Guqin’s Timbres
Man DingThis article explores the three tonal qualities, open string tones, stopped string tones, and harmonics, in traditional Chinese Guqin music from the perspective of aesthetic anthropology, examining their multifaceted connotations in terms of instruments, the body, and culture. First, it elucidates the complexity of music as a form of human behavior, transcending the traditional framework of classical musicology by viewing musical practice as a cultural act. Second, it provides an in-depth analysis of the three tonal qualities in guqin performance, delving into the intricate relationships between playing techniques, hand gestures, and aesthetic philosophy. It highlights how the coordination of the right hand plucking the strings and the left hand pressing the strings produces distinct aesthetic effects in terms of volume, pitch range, and timbre, reflecting the individuality, cultural background, and habits of the performer. Finally, the article explores the harmony of sound and its connection to the harmony of heaven, earth, and humanity, shedding light on the spiritual significance of qin practice as a path of cultivation. -
Research articlePages
Causes of the Religious Revival in Post-Cultural Revolution China
Xiaodong ZengIn the studies conducted by overseas scholars on the religious situation in mainland China and the Chinese Communist Party’s religious policies in the post-Cultural Revolution era, a phenomenon that has frequently drawn attention is “religious revival”. In many of these studies, two factors are often identified as the primary causes of this revival: the lingering effects of religious policies during the Cultural Revolution and the direct influence of religious policies during the Reform and Opening-up period. In reality, the “religious revival” after the Cultural Revolution has a political-economic internal cause, aside from the external factor of changes in political environment. This internal cause is related to the inherent nature of religion itself. This article argues that this internal cause is the logical driving force behind the sudden “religious revival” in the post-Cultural Revolution era. -
Research articlePages
Non-Actional Politics and Religion: On the Possibility of a New Political and Religious Relationship
Congcong BiFreedom, equality and justice are core categories of mutual conditions in the construction of contemporary political and religious orders. Different understanding and application of the three directly lead to conflicts between countries and religions. “non-action” integrates these basic ideas in a weakly regulated way, bringing the order foundation of politics and religion into a state of harmony, and giving politics and religion non-actional characteristics by analogy. Specifically, the non-actional politics and religion are freedom, which also are spontaneous order, inclusive and virtuous. Therefore, it creates the openness, pluralism and mutual communication of contemporary politics and religion, and makes people and gods systematically related to this world. As a result, the non-actional politics and religion establish a political and religious order based on sacredness, which has freedom, equality and relative justice. -
Research articlePages
Exploring the Nexus Between Market Transparency, Information Sharing, and Service Consumption in China: A Theoretical Inquiry
Liang Zhao,Chaoran HuAdvancing the high-quality development of service consumption is a fundamental strategy for the Chinese government to expand domestic demand, promote employment, and stabilize economic growth. This paper, after systematically reviewing the impact of market transparency, information sharing, and the level of service consumption in the Chinese market, proposes two theoretical hypotheses. These hypotheses are then empirically tested using panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2022. The study finds that market transparency not only directly enhances the level of service consumption but also indirectly promotes it through the facilitation of information sharing. Consequently, the Chinese government should foster a more transparent market transaction environment, strengthen the construction of information infrastructure, encourage high-level openness in the service sector, and support the development of new scenarios and new business forms in service consumption, to further unleash the potential of service consumption. -
Research articlePages
Chinese Diplomatic Political Language: Conceptual Dimensions, Historical Evolution, and Diplomatic Art
Anastasiya ShcharbininaThis paper delves into the multifaceted nature of Chinese diplomatic political language, examining its conceptual delineation, historical evolution, and the distinctive artistry with which Chinese diplomats employ it. We explore the varying interpretations of diplomatic political language, from its role as a necessary tool for communication between nations to its embodiment of the art of diplomacy, and its function as a mode of communication that can be both form and substance. Through case studies and historical analysis, we demonstrate how Chinese diplomats’ adept use of language contributes to the protection of national interests and the advancement of diplomatic objectives, showcasing the unique wisdom and charm of Chinese diplomacy.