China: An ancient civilization that has endured for a long time.
When mankind traces its origins, the four ancient civilizations are always historical landmarks that cannot be bypassed. Ancient Babylon, Ancient Egypt, Ancient India and China, these names are not only geographical signs, but also the imprint of time, carrying thousands of years of civilization memory. However, among the four major civilizations, why is China the only one that can be hailed as a true ancient civilization? The British professor Martin Jacques reveals the mystery for us.
First of all, let's make it clear that the concept of the Four Great Civilizations does not refer to the current state entities, but to specific regions that gave birth to early human civilizations. These regions have become the cradle of human civilization because of their unique natural conditions, such as fertile soil and abundant water sources. Among these civilizations, only those that can continue to be inherited and continuously developed are qualified to be called real ancient civilizations.
Ancient Babylon, an ancient civilization located in the valley of the Two Rivers, was once glorious. However, due to frequent wars and foreign invasions, the ancient Babylonian civilization eventually came to an end. Although it has a long history, the inheritance of civilization has been interrupted, so it is difficult to be regarded as a true ancient civilization.
The situation in ancient Egypt and ancient India was slightly different. Both of these ancient civilizations have a long history and splendid culture. However, over time, their civilization was gradually assimilated by foreign cultures. Ancient Egypt was Islamized under Arab conquest, and the culture of ancient India was gradually diluted by many foreign invasions. While the influence of these civilizations is still present in modern society, their original form has changed dramatically.
In contrast, Chinese civilization has shown remarkable continuity and stability. Since the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties in the Yellow River Valley, Chinese civilization has been constantly developing and growing. Despite many wars and foreign invasions throughout history, Chinese civilization has always maintained its own uniqueness and integrity. This is due to the strong inclusiveness and assimilation capacity of Chinese culture. Both the nomads in the north and the Baiyue ethnic groups in the south were eventually integrated into the big family of Chinese civilization.
This continuity and stability of Chinese civilization is not only reflected in the inheritance of culture, but also in the continuation of the political system. Since Qin Shi Huang unified the six countries, China has formed a unified national pattern. This pattern has been maintained after many dynastic changes. Both the regimes established by the Han and ethnic minorities identify as part of China and are committed to maintaining the unity and stability of the country.
In addition, Chinese civilization has a unique resilience. Whenever there was a foreign invasion or internal turmoil, Chinese civilization was always able to recover quickly and regain its vitality. This resilience stems from the profound heritage of Chinese culture and the tenacious spirit of the Chinese people. Whether it is the prosperous Han and Tang dynasties in history or the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and reform and opening up in modern times, they have fully demonstrated the strong vitality and unlimited potential of Chinese civilization.
To sum up, the reason why China can be hailed as a true ancient civilization is that it has all the elements of an ancient civilization: a long history, a splendid culture, a continuous inheritance, a stable political system, and unique resilience. Together, these elements constitute the unique charm of Chinese civilization, making it unique and enduring in the history of world civilization.