Zhang Qingshan

Born in Dalian, Liaoning Province. He was graduated from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of Fudan University, Shanghai. He is a research fellow and doctor's tutor of Chinese National Academy of Arts, a member of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Expert Committee, president of the Society ofA Dream of Red Mansions, president and chief editor of the magazine "A Dream of Red Mansions'i. He once served as the Secretary of Party Committee and deputy president of Chinese National Academy ofArts, executive deputy director of China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. He has been engaged in the study on Chinese classical novels and the protection of intangible cultural heritage for a long time, especially the study on "A Dream of Red Mansions", he has written several books such as "Ramble on A Dream of Red Mansions", "Talking About the Characters in A Dream of Red Mansions"etc., he is the main organizer and promoter of academic activities conceming "ADream of Red Mansions" in today's China.

The Clash of Civilizations

Since Mr. Huntington put forward the theory of "the Clash of Civilizations", the two phrases of "the clash of civilizations" and "civilization dialogue", just like twin sisters, often appear in people's words. "The Clash of Civilizations" put forward by Huntington has been questioned by many people, because many clashes in today'sworld cannot be explained by using "the Clash of Civilizations", obviously many clashes are not caused by cultural difference, but the clash of interests.

Nonetheless, the proposal and subsequent discussion of "the Clash of Civilizations" arouse public attention on cultural difference, the misunderstanding caused by cultural difference, the dangers of the clash, and the calling and expectation for civilization dialogue, which have important theoretical value and practical significance.
Reality shows that although cultural difference is not the root cause of clash, it is an important background and one of the causes of clash, this cultural difference cannot be omitted. It seems that the methods for solving such difference are dialogue, communication and exchange. Therefore, when talking about "the Clash of Civilizations", people will naturally think of "civilization dialogue". Certainly, if somebody is of the opinion that "dialogue" can solve the fundamental problem, that will be too naive. However, "dialogue" is better than no dialogue, exchange is better than antagonism. Understanding and cognition will deepen through communication and exchange, thus relieving misunderstanding, conflict and clash.

Civilization dialogue is neither an empty word nor a form,rather,it should be concrete communication and exchange,its fundamental premise is sincerity and mutual respect, only in this way, can the risk of clash be eliminated or reduced through communication and exchange. If someone regards himself as the master or number one, always considers that his own culture is the best, his value outlook is the best, and even forces his ideas on other people, then this dialogue is not equal, and cannot eam respect.

We should admit that cultural difference is inevitable. Since its inception, human civilization is always diversified, the diversity of civilizations is the nature of civilizations, it is the fountain and motivation of civilization progress. In 2001, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) adopted the "Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity"; in 2003, UNESCO adopted the "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage"; and in 2005, UNESCO adopted the "Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions", their fundamental spirit and principle are consistent, reflecting the fact that the international community has profound understanding and protection will on cultural diversity. It has been confirmed that cultural diversity is a basic characteristic of humanity; it has been recognized that cultural diversity is the common wealth of humanity, and cultural diversity should be treasured and protected for the interests of the human race. The consensus on cultural diversity reached by intemational community is the basis for civilization dialogue.

The basic characteristic of Chinese civilization spirit is pluralistic integration, Chinese nation is composed of 56 ethnic groups, each ethnic group has its own culture, however, in the history of Chinese civilization for thousands of years, though unification and division alternate with each other, integration and harmony are the mainstream, that's because the fundamental value outlook of Chinese civilization is "harmonious", is "harmonious but different", is harmonious co-existence. Chinese civilization spirit should and can make contributions to human civilization dialogue.

张庆善

辽宁大连人，毕业于上海复旦大学中文系。中国艺术研究院研究员、博士生导师，国家非物质文化遗产专家委员会委员，中国红楼梦学会会长，红楼梦学刊杂志社社长兼主编。曾任中国艺术研究院党委书记、副院长、中国非物质文化遗产保护中心常务副主任。长期从事中国古典小说研究和非物质文化遗产保护工作，特别是《红楼梦》研究，编著有《漫说红楼》《话说红楼梦中人》等，是目前中国红楼梦学术活动的主要组织者和推动者之一。

文明冲突论 自从亨廷顿先生提出“文明冲突论”以来， “文明冲突”和“文明对话”这两个词语，就像孪生姐妹一样，常常是一起出现在人们的话语中。亨廷顿的“文明冲突论”受到了人们的质疑，因为当今世界上的许多冲突似乎用“文明的冲突”解释不了，许多冲突显然不是文化差异所致，而是“利益”的冲突。

尽管如此， “文明冲突论”的提出并引起讨论，引起人们对文化差异的关注，对文化差异造成的误解、冲突的危险性的关注，对文明对话的呼唤和期待，这还是有重要的理论价值和现实意义的。

现实表明，文化的差异虽然不是造成冲突的基本根源，但也确实是造成冲突的重要背景和因素之一，这种文化差异不能忽略。而解决这种差异的办法似乎只有对话、沟通和交流。所以一谈到“文明的冲突”，人们自然就会想到“文明对话”。当然，如果以为“对话”能解决根本问题，那也未免太天真了。但“对话”总比不对话好，交流总比对立好。通过沟通交流，加强了解和认识，确实可以缓和误解、矛盾乃至冲突。

文明的对话不是一句空话，不是一种形式，而应该是实实在在的沟通和交流，其基本前提是真诚、彼此尊重，这才可能通过交流沟通达到消除或削弱冲突的危险性。如果总以主子或老大的姿态自居，总认为自己的文化是最好的，自己的价值观是最好的，甚至强迫别人接受它，那样对话就不是平等的，就不可能收获尊重。

要承认文化的差异是必然的。人类文明从其发生的那一天起就是多样的，文明的多样性是文明自身的天性，是文明进步的源泉和动力。联合国教科文组织曾与2001年通过《世界文化多样性宣言》，2003年通过《保护非物质文化遗产公约》，2005年又通过《保护和促进文化表现形式多样性公约》，其基本精神和原则都是一致的，即反映出国际社会对文化多样性的深刻认识及其保护意愿。确认文化多样性是人类的一项基本特性；认识到文化多样性是人类的共同财产，应当为了全人类的利益对其加以珍爱和维护等等。国际社会对文化多样性的公识，是文明对话的基础。

中华文明精神的基本特征是多元一体，中华民族由56个民族组成，各个民族都有自己的文化，但在几千年的中华文明史上，虽然也是合合分分，分分合合，但统一与和谐共处是主流，这是因为中华文明的基本价值观念是“和”，是“和而不同”，是和谐共处。中华文化精神应该并有可能为人类文明对话做出自己的贡献。