China’s narrative war with West goes beyond Confucius with focus on other ancient schools

Newly set up Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute seen as latest testament to China’s focus on reclaiming intellectual heritage for governance

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Confucianism has traditionally been the predominant ideology in Chinese cultural and intellectual contexts, with other philosophical schools usually sidelined. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 12:00pm, 1 Dec 2024Updated: 1:55pm, 1 Dec 2024

China has set up a research institute on early Chinese philosophies, taking the discourse beyond Confucius in its latest effort to win the narrative war with the West on governance values.

The “Chinese Zhuzi Research Institute”, or “institute of early Chinese philosophies” opened earlier this month at the East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai.

It aims to explore the country’s rich philosophical heritage dating back more than 2,000 years and use that ancient wisdom for contemporary governance in China and beyond, scholars attending the inauguration ceremony last month said.

Analysts see the institute as the latest testament to China’s focus on reclaiming its intellectual heritage for modern governance as it fights a narrative war with the West, albeit with a focus on the less popular schools of thought to encourage a more inclusive dialogue.

Any attempt to equate Chinese culture with Confucianism alone is deeply mistaken

Professor Stephen C. Angle, Wesleyan University

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, ECNU vice-president Lei Qili highlighted the institute’s role in revitalising traditional culture in response to the “second combine”.