CHINA SOFT POWER RISING, CAN U.S. CHINA REACH HARMONY CONSENSUS?

CHINA SOFT POWER RISING, CAN U.S. CHINA REACH HARMONY CONSENSUS?


Contrary to American myth, China can surpass America in soft power. Look at her attractive ancient culture, her huge internet market and innovation, her national and international market deployment. Her harmony diplomacy is heralding her vision as cultural shaper. China has strong affinity with Asian nations. 21st Century is Asian century. She is leading the world out of the current financial crisis. Her position as a developing nation will enhance her participation in the growth of BRIC and Central Asia markets through silk road past grandeur. Western liberal capitalism has been blemished by the current financial crisis. Future developing model for the developing world is a combination of state and marketing economy with individual characteristics unique to each national condition.

We must forgive past trespasses committed by Western Imperialism and Colonialism. Without forgiveness there will be no new beginning. Nations practicing harmony must practice respect and equity towards each other. Citizens of a harmonious world, be proud you are citizens of the world, not just citizens of one great nation.

In China and America, civil rights are improving. However, Americans sometimes forget prejudices are not just black and white. Besides racial prejudices there are also cultural and historical prejudices.

We must forgive American media "China bashing": China and America represent two contrasting East and West culture. The positive is that the ideology difference between America and China are rapidly disappearing. In China state and market economy are merging into socialism with Chinese characteristics. Harmony society in China is Socialism with Chinese characteristics. We must also be tolerant and accepting. Let us forget past colonialism, slavery and labor exploitation. Let us hope by cooperating for mutual win-win development China and America will reach Harmony Consensus.

Harmony Diplomacy will work. America is the most powerful developed nation. China and India, the two largest developing nations are reemerging. The world is awakening to Harmony Renaissance. There are promises. The 2009 World Media Summit Declaration in Beijing is an indication that world major media see the necessity for more diverse, fair and accurate world news reporting. The necessity for green revolution will bring the developed and developing nations together. Harmony will overcome racial, ideology, religion and cultural differences.

The 12 Virtues of Harmony Renaissance are: "TOLERANCE, ACCEPTANCE, RESPECT, KINDNESS, FORGIVENESS, HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, PATIENCE, EQUITY, NONVIOLENCE, GREEN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION". Practicing Harmony Virtues will lead to Harmony Consensus among nations.

Harmony Renaissance is by necessity and inevitable. Harmony Believers in America and China will have to continue to work. Harmony is an ancient universal cultural value. It has been neglected, not non existent. No nation can claim harmony as her own. We can all advocate Harmony Renaissance. The universe is expanding and not self destruct, because dynamic Harmony Balance is the fundamental law of growth. Without Yin Yang balance in nature the world and the universe will not grow.

The West is strong in hard ideology and hard sciences (Yang). The East is strong in soft energy, religion and philosophy (Yin). All major religions of the world originated from Middle East and Greater Asia. These include Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Baha'i Faith. But in Yin there is Yang and vice verse. Laozi said in all things, Yin contains Yang (according to modern physics, in the universe invisible energy envelops the visible matters, which is only 20% of the universe). Yin and Yang in dynamic balance creates harmony (Dao De Jing). Western Yang energy has been on the rise for the past 200 years. It is time to balance East and West contribution to humanity. The reemergence of China and India as emerging developing major countries is also inevitable. That will in itself be conducive to world harmony and world democracy. Unity in diversity is the best way for world civilization to grow.

Francis C W Fung, Ph.D.
Director General
World Harmony Organization