“A community with a shared future” is a concept put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in many of his official speeches. The concept of “a community with a shared future” is a wise idea that can be applied as a guide in thinking about the complex challenges faced by mankind. The concept is a very significant contribution. It contains noble wisdom for thinking about the future of human civilization.
Veronika S Saraswati (Photo provided to People's Daily)
The contradiction between man and nature started from the day man was born, but the degree of contradiction has changed. Along with the development of modern science and technology, the ability of humans to intervene in nature has been greatly enhanced. The contradiction between humanity and nature has become acute. This damaged the natural environment on which human beings depend, threatened human security and affected the survival and development of all living things on earth.
The rapid development of science and technology and the deepening of economic globalization have formed a global village, a community with a shared future in which all humans belong to one another. The world we live in is full of hope and challenge. In the face of major global problems and challenges, due to the differences and conflicts between countries in the world, mankind will inevitably face conflicts. However, all humans live under the same blue sky and stay on the same earth as our home. One challenge is the COVID-19 outbreak. The coronavirus attacks all humans, ignoring race, ethnicity, religion and politics. Every human has a similar possibility to be infected by the virus. COVID-19 has become a dangerous epidemic for all mankind all over the world.
Reconciliation and harmony are methods in realizing the ideals of an advanced world civilization and the well-being of people living on the earth. The root of the contradiction between mankind and nature lies in any practice of war, and in any practice of hegemony imposed by developed countries that neglect cooperation and win-win solutions for any aspect of international relations. Every country should think about mutual cooperation in order to develop a harmonious society in which people and nature live in harmony. As a guideline in answering problems between mankind and nature, and problems between mankind, Xi’s idea is a significant philosophical concept.
The interconnected relationship among mankind in the world is a manifestation of what is called “a community with a shared future” of all mankind. Xi pointed out the concept to note all living things need each other, and nobody can stand alone. Therefore all mankind and all countries should coexist through mutual cooperation, sharing both weal and woe. People need to implement the principle of mutual cooperation into action in order to build better world order that is harmonious.
We need to understand and to build tolerant attitudes toward each other in order to jointly solve the problems of human development, and share the fruits of human civilization and progress, as all mankind on the earth has a shared future. We need to learn from each other how to deal with challenges including COVID-19. In particular, China is willing to share its rich experiences in coping with the virus. China's success in overcoming the epidemic is an inspiring experience and source of scientific knowledge for any country in coping with the disastrous COVID-19 epidemic.
The author, Veronika S Saraswati, is the Head of China Unit, CSIS Indonesia. The opinion expressed is not necessarily the view of People's Daily.
