Cultural products boost understanding

Video games, films and science fiction provide surprising bridges of understanding between China and the West, academics say

The Cross-Strait High-Level Academic Consortium on Chinese Civilization is inaugurated at a recent forum in Nanping, Fujian. CHINA DAILY

In a world where globalization is increasingly under threat and nationalism is on the rise, emeritus professor Robert Chard from the University of Oxford, recently offered a refreshing perspective "Cool China" to address the issue.

With decades of experience as a Sinologist, Chard, who is also a visiting professor at the Peking University's Department of History, highlights the growing disconnection between Western and Chinese cultures, while pointing to unexpected bridges — like video games, films and science fiction — that are reshaping how the world sees China.

"The (distrust) problem mostly stems from many Western countries not having enough understanding of other cultures," Chard observes.

Games like Black Myth: Wukong have introduced global audiences to Chinese stories and history, Chard says.

"I've seen their reviews. They find the game technically impressive, with engaging and captivating content. When they encounter something they don't fully understand, like who Sun Wukong is or what the story is about, they look it up online to learn more," Chard adds.

He also recalls seeing two British children play a video game set against the backdrop of the Three Kingdoms period (220-280) and thus come to know many Chinese historical figures.

"China holds a significant advantage due to its long history and incredibly rich cultural heritage. This cultural wealth has multilayered value and charm for the entire world," he says.

Chard is among more than 100 scholars who engaged in dialogue to respond to contemporary challenges at the Wuyi Forum in Wuyishan, Nanping city of Fujian province on Saturday.

It was hosted by the Renmin University of China and the Nanping government and aimed to facilitate in-depth research, promotion and interpretation of the new ideas and judgments about cultural development in the new era put forward by President Xi Jinping, especially the significance and contemporary value of the "two integrations".

In 2021, Xi proposed the concept of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with the best of China's traditional culture. It was the first time this integration was placed on an equal footing with that of integrating Marxism's basic tenets with China's specific realities.

The emphasis on "two integrations" is understood to provide sound answers to major questions of our times.

The Wuyi Forum brought together experts to delve into the essence of the "two integrations", which represents not only a fusion of civilizational heritage with innovation but also a harmonious advancement of cultural preservation and contemporary creativity, as well as the resonance between academic inquiry and practical development, says Zhang Donggang, Party secretary of Renmin University of China.

It aims to offer a broader perspective and more innovative thinking to expound on the essence of Chinese civilization and decode its cultural genes, Zhang adds.