Traditional Chinese Thinking Can Help Ethnic Groups' CoexistenceA famous Chinese anthropologist said Monday that traditional Chinese culture and China's current policies towards the ethnic minorities can enlighten the rest of the world about peaceful coexistence among the world's ethnic groups.Fei Xiaotong, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top law making body, was speaking at the opening ceremony of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES) 2000 Inter- Congress. Fei, who is also a renowned ethnologist and sociologist, pointed out that if the issue of peaceful coexistence cannot be satisfactorily resolved among different ethnic groups, there will be many problems, such as disputes and even wars. He believed the mindset that wants peaceful coexistence while acknowledging differences is the only option for the world's colorful cultures, but the sort of mentality that rejects diversification could only lead to extinction of the cultures. With a schedule of discussions focusing on "Metropolitan Ethnic Cultures: Maintenance and Interaction," the congress is the most important international congress for anthropologists and ethnologists ever held in China. More than 360 delegates from 46 countries worldwide are participating in the five-day congress, which covers a number of academic areas including anthropological and ethnological sciences, biology and genetics. |
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