As India and China continue to forge ahead as economic dynamos, their promotion of soft power diplomacy around the globe reflects an underlying mind-set – that which is culturally entrenched. For the Chinese, it is the Confucian philosophy which laid a political and social foundation for centuries. For India, it was Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies. Interestingly, the teachings of both Gandhi and Confucius harmonize in several ways. Both cultures believe they have a unique perspective to contribute to the world. Hence, potentially, there is a golden opportunity to nurture an interchange between the Asian neighbours, by exploring the Chinese response to ‘Gandhism.’ What could develop from this is a productive synchronization between the two Asian hegemons, which would be preferable over the currently uncomfortable coexistence of India and China.
On March 13, Gateway House hosted Shang Quanyu, Professor, South China Normal University’s School of Foreign Studies, in conversation with Rajni Bakshi, Gandhi Peace Fellow, Gateway House, to explore the role of Gandhian philosophy in China. They discussed the ways in which Gandhi’s use of the term ‘Swaraj’ resonates with contemporary Chinese thinking, and deliberated on ways to foster creative dialogues on the same between both sides.
Rajni Bakshi is a Mumbai-based author, and the Gandhi Peace Fellow at Gateway House. She published a Research paper in October 2012 titled Civilizational Gandhi. Rajni serves on the Boards of Child Rights and You (CRY) and Citizens for Peace. She is also a long term associate of Centre of Education and Documentation (Mumbai & Bangalore). Her literary works include the celebrated ‘Bazaars, Conversations and Freedom: for a market culture beyond greed and fear,’ which won two Vodafone-Crossword Awards, ‘Bapu Kuti: Journeys in Rediscovery of Gandhi,’ and ‘Long Haul: the Bombay Textile Workers Strike 1982-83 (1986), among others.
Shang Quanyu is Professor, School of Foreign Studies, South China Normal University, China. He has a Ph.D in world history with a specialization in South and West Asian History. The theme of his post-doctoral research topic at the University of Minnesota, U.S., was ‘God Resides in the Human Heart: Mahatma Gandhi’s Philosophy of Religion.’ He has researched extensively on the philosophies propounded by Mahatma Gandhi and India-China relations, and has authored several literary works on the aforementioned themes.