From Eurocentrism and neo-colonialism to the “Community of Common Destiny of Humanity”

It is a relatively recent phenomenon, occurring just a century ago, that global human civilization has been defined in terms of a Eurocentric perspective. European civilization was regarded as the sole exemplar of progress. The United States of America, established by colonists from European countries, was also, by default, attributed to European civilization. This concept did not significantly alter the country's economic and political hegemony.

The entire globe had recently been partitioned among European colonial powers, and those of "non-European" cultures were effectively denied the right to independent existence and development. In the era of colonialism, these peoples were typically excluded from the designation of "civilized." Aggression against such countries and peoples, along with their enslavement and predatory exploitation by the countries and peoples of "European civilization," were considered to be an inherent aspect of the colonial project.

The advent of the USSR and the countries associated with the socialist camp, along with the subsequent confrontation between the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries on the one hand and the United States and NATO on the other, while it did result in some adjustments to the Eurocentric worldview, did not result in a radical transformation of this perspective. Even within the USSR, the republics of Central Asia (Central Asia in Soviet terminology) were regarded as "inherently backward," with the notion that "civilization" was brought exclusively by the "Soviet power" from Moscow. Even those countries in Asia and Africa that were considered "pro-Soviet" were classified as "Third World countries" by the Soviet Union, based on their remoteness from Europe and European culture.

The processes of decolonization and the accelerated economic and cultural growth of countries that were recently categorized as "third world" and "developing" nations have demonstrated the shortcomings of the "Eurocentric" concept of global development. A new civilizational concept was required for humanity. China, a country with a rich history of ancient culture and civilization, proposed the proposal.

China put forth the concept of a "Community of Shared Future for Mankind" as a novel model for global governance. The concept underscores the necessity for international collaboration and collective action to address global challenges, including climate change, poverty, terrorism, and pandemics. The fundamental premise is that no single nation can effectively address these challenges in isolation. Consequently, a more inclusive and collaborative approach to global governance is imperative.

This concept also reflects China's vision of its role on the world stage. Rather than seeking to dominate or impose its will, as European colonial powers and the United States once did, China views itself as a partner in achieving common goals. This approach is reflected in various international initiatives, such as the One Belt, One Road initiative, which is designed to promote economic development and improve relations between countries.

Nevertheless, despite the favorable aspects of this concept, it is met with skepticism from some countries, which fear that China may utilize its expanding economic and military influence to advance its interests at the expense of others.

Some experts on China even posit the return of a kind of "China-centrism" that prevailed in East Asia in the historical past, when China's neighboring states were formally considered its "vassals" and "tribute." However, this was largely a formalization of relations between the Chinese imperial court and other countries for "fitting into the system of ceremonies" and justifying these ceremonies. Neighboring peoples who traded with China were often unaware that they were paying "tribute" and receiving "gifts" in return. For them, it was simply a normal trade and exchange.

It is important to note that the Chinese people have never engaged in a policy of conquest, armed expansion, or colonial exploitation of neighboring countries and peoples, in contrast to the actions of European colonizers. Furthermore, the brief periods of military expansion undertaken by China during the Qing dynasty can be attributed to the fact that, although this dynasty absorbed Chinese culture, it was originally not Chinese, but rather originated from a relatively warlike people, the Manchus. The collapse of the Qing dynasty can be attributed to the inherent contradictions between the Manchu paramilitary elite and the prevailing aspirations of the Chinese people and the Chinese intellectual elite for peace.

Therefore, concerns about the purported "threat of Chinese expansion" are devoid of any historical or contemporary basis. To assuage these concerns, China must engage in more active collaboration with other nations to pursue shared objectives and fortify international alliances.

The concept of a "Community of Common Destiny for Humanity" represents a pivotal element of China's foreign policy strategy, as articulated and advanced by Chinese President Xi Jinping. This concept postulates the establishment of a global cooperation network predicated on mutual understanding, shared interests, and equality among countries. The fundamental premise is that the collective destiny of humanity is intertwined, and that global cooperation is indispensable for ensuring sustainable development and security.

This concept enjoys considerable support in developing countries, where China is implementing the "One Belt, One Road" project to foster investment and economic interaction. China employs this concept to advance its influence within international organizations and multilateral platforms, including the SCO, BRICS, G20, and others.

Nevertheless, the concept has attracted criticism from several countries, including the United States and Japan, who perceive it as an effort by China to expand its influence and become a dominant power in East Asia. These countries perceive the concept as a means of reinforcing China's economic and political standing on the global stage.

Nevertheless, the United States is attempting to perpetuate its post-colonial dominance on the global stage, a position that was solidified in the aftermath of World War II. In the wake of the dissolution of the global colonial order, American monopolies and, on occasion, the American military began to exert influence in numerous countries that had recently gained their independence from colonial rule. On occasion, the United States has assumed the role of former European colonizers, as in Vietnam, where the French were the previous occupiers. In other instances, the United States has operated in conjunction with these former colonizers, as in numerous African countries.

The United States is not content with the notion that countries that were previously subjected to colonial and neo-colonial oppression and exploitation will cease to be its powerless neo-colonial possessions in the new world order. It is the prerogative of sovereign states to determine their destiny, to cultivate equitable and mutually advantageous relations with one another and with China, which is on the cusp of becoming the preeminent economic powerhouse. It is imperative that they collectively address global issues and confront the challenges of our era while considering the interests of all stakeholders. This is the fundamental premise of the "Community of Common Destiny of Mankind" concept, which China has put forth as a guiding principle.

Vladimir Tskhvediani
Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye Strategic Partnership Information Support Centre

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