What is special about Chinese Innovation?
They use an interesting term "守正创新" - translated as: "Uphold fundamental principles and break new ground."
It is upholding the values and principles and then innovating.
It provides continuity with the past and yet makes breakthrough improvements. It builds on the right values and delivers better convenience and a better life for the people.
They see innovations with at least three key aspects:
- In the aspect of cultural inheritance
- Maintaining the cultural foundation: "Upholding fundamental principles" ensures that the quintessential parts of cultural traditions can be continued. For example, Confucian culture in China emphasizes values such as benevolence, propriety, and righteousness. By adhering to these correct cultural concepts, we can maintain the characteristics of our national culture in the wave of globalization. Take the Spring Festival, a traditional Chinese festival, for instance. We hold on to its core connotations like family reunions and bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, allowing this cultural custom to be passed down from generation to generation.
- Promoting cultural innovation: Innovation, on the basis of inheritance, endows culture with new vitality. Take the cultural and creative products of the Forbidden City as an example. Based on its own historical and cultural deposits, the Forbidden City has developed a series of cultural and creative products such as Forbidden City lipsticks and Forbidden City calendars. These innovative products not only bring the ancient Forbidden City culture into modern people's lives but also expand new channels for cultural dissemination, enabling traditional culture to shine with new luster in the new era.
- In the field of technological development
- Strengthening the technological foundation: "Upholding fundamental principles" means adhering to the basic methods, principles of scientific research and the existing reliable technologies. For example, in the field of physics, basic theories such as Newton's laws of motion are the "fundamentals" that have been repeatedly verified. Much of the subsequent scientific research is carried out based on these basic laws. This ensures the rigor and coherence of scientific research and provides a solid theoretical foundation for the development of new technologies.
- Driving technological breakthroughs: Innovation is the core driving force for technological progress. For instance, Internet technology has developed from the initial simple information transmission to the current booming development of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing. Technicians dare to break through traditional thinking and explore new technologies on the basis of upholding fundamental principles, thus greatly changing people's lifestyles and the development process of society.
- In the aspect of social governance
- Maintaining the stability of social order: "Upholding fundamental principles" is manifested in safeguarding basic social norms such as laws and morals. The government governs in accordance with the law, strictly abides by the provisions of the constitution and laws, and safeguards the basic rights of citizens. This is the cornerstone of social stability. For example, a just judicial system tries cases in accordance with legal provisions to ensure social fairness and justice, allowing people to live and work under a stable social order.
- Improving the efficiency of social governance: Innovation helps to solve newly emerging social problems. With the development of society, new challenges such as cybercrime and environmental protection have emerged. By innovating social governance models, such as using big data for social security prevention and control or establishing ecological compensation mechanisms to protect the environment, we can respond more effectively to these complex social problems and improve the modernization level of social governance.
ChatGPT gave the following comments：
The concept of "守正创新" (Uphold Fundamental Principles and Break New Ground) reflects a uniquely thoughtful and holistic approach to innovation that integrates respect for foundational values with the pursuit of progress. It resonates deeply with Chinese cultural, historical, and philosophical traditions, creating a framework for innovation that is distinct in several ways:
1. Balancing Tradition and Modernity
- By emphasizing "upholding fundamental principles," this approach ensures that innovation does not discard the cultural and intellectual bedrock of a society. For instance, retaining the essence of Confucian values while modernizing how they are communicated preserves continuity amid change.
- This duality ensures that innovation is not disruptive in a way that alienates the past, but rather bridges it to the future. It acknowledges that cultural identity and social cohesion are critical for sustainable development.
2. Cultural Inheritance and Reinterpretation
- The reinvention of cultural artifacts, like Forbidden City lipsticks, exemplifies how ancient traditions can be revitalized to resonate with modern audiences. This approach connects people to their heritage in accessible and contemporary ways, ensuring cultural longevity in a globalized world.
- The idea of infusing innovation with cultural significance highlights the role of innovation not merely as a technical endeavor but as a medium for cultural expression and education.
3. Rooted yet Adaptive Technological Progress
- In the technological domain, the principle underscores that innovation is most impactful when grounded in tested, reliable foundations. For example, breakthroughs in AI or big data rely on a foundation of established scientific theories and principles, ensuring stability and scalability.
- At the same time, the push for "breaking new ground" encourages exploration beyond comfort zones, fostering groundbreaking technologies that address contemporary needs.
4. Systematic and Inclusive Social Governance
- This principle's application to social governance demonstrates its relevance beyond culture and technology. The focus on upholding legal and moral norms ensures that innovation does not undermine societal integrity, while creative approaches to modern challenges (like environmental sustainability or cybercrime) exemplify its transformative potential.
- This approach reflects a systemic mindset that views innovation as a tool for collective benefit, emphasizing social harmony and equitable development.
5. Ethical and Sustainable Development
- "守正创新" implicitly addresses the need for ethical considerations in innovation. By anchoring innovation to core values, it mitigates risks of exploitation, inequality, or harm that can arise from unchecked technological or social advancements.
- It aligns innovation with sustainability, ensuring that progress serves not only present needs but also the well-being of future generations.
Broader Implications
This philosophy has global relevance. In an era where rapid technological advancement often leads to cultural homogenization, ethical dilemmas, or societal disruptions, the "守正创新" framework offers a guiding principle for achieving balanced progress. It invites other nations to consider how their unique cultural foundations can inform innovation in ways that honor their identities while addressing modern challenges.
In summary, Chinese innovation under the lens of "守正创新" is remarkable not just for its outcomes but for the thoughtfulness of its approach. It emphasizes continuity, ethical grounding, and societal benefit, offering a model of innovation that is not only effective but also deeply humanistic.
