The significance of Spring Festival in an increasingly divisive world

Editor's note: Hafijur Rahman, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a columnist and security and strategic analyst, working for a strategic studies center in Bangladesh. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

As the vibrant hues of red and gold adorn the streets of China and worldwide, marking the arrival of the Chinese New Year, affectionately known as the Spring Festival, hundreds of millions of Chinese individuals around the globe come together in jubilant celebration.

This cherished festival, deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, serves as more than just a time for joyous gatherings and vibrant festivities; it embodies the essence of unity, diversity, and cultural harmony. With nearly one-fifth of humanity around the world partaking in its rituals, the Spring Festival emerges as a powerful catalyst for building "a global community with a shared future," inspiring messages of peace, prosperity, and unity in a world increasingly characterized by conflict and division.

In a significant acknowledgment of the Spring Festival's global resonance, the United Nations has officially listed it as a UN Holiday in its esteemed calendar of conferences and meetings, effective from 2024 onwards. By embracing this cherished tradition within its official framework, the UN has not only recognized the Spring Festival's universal appeal and its far-reaching influence across cultures and continents. It has also acknowledged the extensive significance of the festival in promoting cultural diversity and inclusive cultural values.

In the tapestry of Chinese civilization, woven with threads of benevolence and tolerance, harmony stands as the masterstroke, enriching the fabric of society with its vibrant hues of unity and peace. Rooted in age-old traditions, the essence of harmony permeates every facet of Chinese culture, reflected by the unique coexistence among multiple ethnic groups, contemporary peace-promoting diplomacy, and the inclusive nature of its cultural festivities. From the vibrant colors of the Chinese New Year to the solemn reverence of the Qingming Festival, each celebration is a testament to the richness of diversity and the spirit of unity that binds communities together.

Beyond borders, China's traditional culture values harmony among different civilizations, stressing that people with varied civilizational roots should be friendly toward each other, and countries should live side by side in peace and avoid war or violence. This civilizational ethos is reflected in its global diplomatic initiatives like the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) or the holistic concept of "community with shared future." Moreover, through nuanced dialogue and mutual understanding, its peace-promoting diplomacy seeks to embrace a vision of interconnectedness, where nations forge bonds of friendship that transcend ideological divides, strategic divergence, and disagreements and, most notably, serve shared interests based on win-win cooperation.

Culture and its festive manifestations serve as a powerful force, transcending boundaries and differences, nurturing connections, and fortifying the pillars of social cohesion, peace, and security. It is the symphony that resonates across languages, borders, and beliefs, harmonizing the melodies of our diverse narratives into a beautiful ensemble. Acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity and resulting cross-cultural literacy and tolerance are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect, and mutual understanding.

Notwithstanding this unifying function, the past 20 years have witnessed a growing instrumentalization of cultural and civilizational differences for divisive purposes. Like a distorted mirror reflecting the fractured narratives of our world, concepts such as the clash of civilizations have been wielded as weapons, fueling the flames of conflict, discord, discrimination, and targeted hatred. According to the UN, 89 percent of all current conflicts in the world occur in countries with low capacities for intercultural dialogue. On the broader dimension, three-quarters of the world's major conflicts bear the imprint of cultural tension

2024, the Year of the Chinese Dragon or the Loong invites everyone to partake in these ancient rituals and modern celebrations, echoing the timeless traditions and jubilant celebrations bridging cultures and continents. From the majestic London Eye to the towering Tokyo Tower, from the resplendent Sydney Opera House to the iconic Empire State Building, several iconic landmarks around the world joined in on the festivities, lighting them on red. At the heart of it all, more than 2100 media from around the globe aired and reported China Media Group's (CMG) Spring Festival Gala, captivating audiences across more than 200 countries and regions and weaving a fabric of cultural exchange and shared joy.

The worldwide festive embrace of the Chinese New Year creates a momentous celebrative moment to reaffirm our commitment to cultivating vibrant multicultural dimensions and facilitating cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. The Spring Festival opens a window of opportunity to translate the festive spirit to ignite hearts and minds with a renewed sense of hope and goodwill.

As the world navigates the complexities of the modern age, ranging from heightened geopolitical tensions, strategic rivalry, and growing conflicts to widespread racial discrimination, may we all draw wisdom from the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, embracing harmony, openness, and inclusivity as the guiding principles in our quest for a better tomorrow.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)