'Unity in diversity" is a fundamental concept in traditional Chinese culture, rooted in the coexistence of different ethnic and regional sub-cultures, as well as the exchange between and integration of Chinese and other civilizations.

Throughout China's extensive history, the Chinese people have developed a set of shared values and aspirations that embody a strong sense of identity intertwined with moral principles such as filial piety, brotherhood, loyalty, propriety and integrity, as well as a keen sense of right and wrong.

These are all manifestations of the harmonious blending of diverse elements within Chinese culture. The dynamic interplay between "diversity" and "unity" contributes to the unique creativity and coherence of Chinese culture, making it a civilization with unique features and far-reaching influence.

Digging in 

The concept of "unity in diversity" was born in the early stages of the Chinese civilization.

Over 10,000 years ago, a range of regional cultures began to take shape among the tribes residing in the vast territories of China's Yangtze River Basin, Yellow River Basin, West Liaohe River Basin and surrounding regions, influenced by variations in natural conditions such as climate and terrain.

More than 5,000 years ago, the dawn of civilization rose over these places almost during the same period, leading to the coexistence of diverse cultures which eventually led to the creation of a "diverse and integrated" civilization.

The achievements of modern Chinese archaeology give us a clearer picture of the development process Chinese civilization underwent.

The Chinese National Museum of Ethnology features a prehistoric colored pottery piece called Painted Pottery Jar With Saw Tooth and Swirl Pattern. This relic hails from the Banshan branch of the Majiayao Culture, dating back approximately 4,700 to 4,300 years.

Said culture was mainly distributed along the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Many archaeologists consider its unearthed colored pottery to be the epitome of prehistoric Chinese colored pottery art and a contributor to the global history of colored pottery culture.

However, this particular style of painted pottery was not created in a cultural vacuum; it was influenced by the Yangshao Culture that thrived in the Central Plains region some 5,000 to 7,000 years ago.

China stands out as one of the earliest civilizations worldwide to pioneer the creation and application of pottery. Colored pottery, specifically, proved a defining characteristic of the Yangshao Culture, earning it the moniker "a culture of colored pottery."

Circling back to the Majiayao Culture's Painted Pottery Jar With a Saw Tooth and Swirl Pattern, then, studies have unveiled a certain correlation between this type of pottery and the eastward spread of painted pottery jars with saw tooth patterns found in countries in present-day Central Asia, such as Turkmenistan.

It can be said that the Painted Pottery Jar With a Saw Tooth and Swirl Pattern bears testimony to the development of colored pottery culture in Gansu and Qinghai provinces in northwest China.

It not only reflects the cultural impact of the Central Plains on this region, but also the exchange and mutual learning that occurred between early Chinese and foreign cultures, serving as a vivid example of the diversified yet integrated development of China's early civilization. 

The world 

This pattern of "unity in diversity" that emerged in the early stages of Chinese civilization has long been part of the cultural DNA of the Chinese people, shaping their national and political concepts and cultural beliefs.

Using the concept of their nation as an illustration, the Chinese understanding of "unity in diversity" contrasts with the Western perspective, which often equates ethnic groups with nations and national borders with ethnic and linguistic boundaries. In China, "diversity" signifies that each ethnic group has its own historical and cultural legacy. "Unity" denotes the Chinese national community forged by inseparable internal bonds rooted in the shared interests of all ethnic groups.

While some experts argue that China's national consciousness emerged during the prolonged struggle against Western powers over the course of a century, the notion of a national community actually has a history as ancient as Chinese civilization itself.

In other words, although the term "Chinese nation" is a rather modern one that reflects China's response to the impact of Western civilization on the global system, the concept of the Chinese nation as an entity has already undergone thousands of years of evolution and is rooted in people's hearts.

For the Chinese people, the vast expanse of China was, is and will be co-developed by all ethnic groups.

Consequently, the history of China embodies the narrative of communication, exchange and integration among diverse ethnic groups collaborating to build, advance and fortify a unified motherland.

And the dialectical harmony between "diversity" and "unity" is the most prominent feature of the national community.

The concept of "unity in diversity" is not only a powerful spiritual tool for China's long-term stable development but also entails essential knowledge the country can contribute to the world.

Against this background, the concept of tianxia (or "the world") emerged as early as the pre-Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.) period in China, with the ultimate pursuit of constructing an order of coexistence that transcended the boundaries of tribe, geography and state.

Some researchers have pointed out that if the Greek "city-state" view constructs the concept of "national politics," then the Chinese tianxia idea constructs the concept of "world politics."

On a global scale, humanity should adopt a more open mindset, fully recognize the subjective value of different cultures and achieve cultural diversity and coexistence.

While promoting the development of its own civilization, China should also contribute to building a common values system for all of humanity, and promote the formation of a community with a shared future for humanity in a bid to resolve problems caused by cultural differences and conflicts. This is the power of "unity in diversity." 

Throughout history, this very concept has promoted the development of the Chinese civilization and played a major part in forming China's national characteristics. In the new era, it is still subtly influencing the contemporaneity of China and is a key to understanding China today.

This article was first published in China Today magazine. The author is a research fellow with the China Confucius Research Institute 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

Comments to yanwei@cicgamericas.com