Walking through the streets of Seoul, one is greeted by a bustling scene where cafes and trendy shops intermingle, the air filled with the enticing aroma of Korean fried chicken, and the energetic melodies of K-POP in the background.
These elements may seem unrelated to ancient Eastern culture, but if we delve into history, we find that Korea, now renowned for its "Korean Wave" culture, was once profoundly nourished by Chinese civilization.
Tracing back over a thousand years, the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla on the Korean Peninsula held great admiration for their powerful neighbor, China.
They sent students across the sea to learn, absorbing Chinese laws, arts, and culture, bringing back this precious knowledge to sow the seeds of civilization at home.
Confucian values of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust gradually integrated into the ethical and moral framework of the Korean Peninsula;
the Buddhist ideals of compassion also found a serene harbor here;
and Chinese characters became an important tool for historical recording and cultural transmission, leaving a profound mark in rich historical documents.
From magnificent palaces to exquisite ceramics, from traditional wedding attire to festive celebrations, all showcase the far-reaching influence of Chinese culture on the Korean Peninsula.
As the wheels of history continue to turn, the river of time flows ceaselessly, and no country can forever dwell in the glories of the past.
In the late 19th century, the invasion of Western powers opened the gates of the Korean Peninsula, bringing with it a wave of new ideas and cultural currents.
Faced with the intense impact of Western culture, the Korean Peninsula underwent a difficult cultural transformation.
Once regarded as a cultural symbol, Chinese characters were gradually replaced by the more accessible Hangul;
Christianity spread rapidly among the youth due to its ideals of equality and fraternity, with the number of churches at one point surpassing that of traditional temples.
This shift in cultural identity is also reflected in South Korean films and television.
From early historical dramas to today's globally popular idol dramas, South Korean media has undergone dramatic changes in themes, styles, and values, showcasing an aesthetic orientation more aligned with Western culture.
In contrast to Korea, Vietnam's cultural path seems more decisive.
As a tributary state of China, Vietnam has historically been deeply influenced by Chinese culture, with ancient scholars studying Confucian classics and actively participating in imperial examinations;
the public celebrates traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, customs that serve as cultural bonds connecting the two peoples closely.
In the mid-19th century, the arrival of French colonizers changed Vietnam's fate and brought profound shifts in its cultural development.
To consolidate their rule, the French implemented a series of "de-Sinicization" policies, attempting to weaken Vietnam's cultural ties to China, closing traditional Confucian academies, establishing a Western-style education system, teaching French, and spreading Western culture.
What was even harder for the Vietnamese to accept was that the colonizers attempted to rewrite Vietnam's history, downplaying the influence of Chinese culture and portraying Vietnam as an independent cultural entity.
This cultural aggression sparked strong resistance from the Vietnamese people and planted the seeds of nationalism.
After World War II, although Vietnam gained independence, its cultural development still faced choices between East and West.
In its early years, the Vietnamese Communist Party drew from the Soviet socialist model, which bore clear Soviet characteristics in the cultural sphere.
However, having endured the impacts of colonial rule, traditional Vietnamese culture remained resilient, continuing to thrive in folk traditions.
Entering the 21st century, with rapid economic development and deepening international exchanges, Vietnam's cultural policy has increasingly emphasized diversity and inclusiveness.
The government encourages learning international languages like English while placing importance on protecting and passing down its ethnic cultural traditions.
Today, Vietnam's streets are filled with modern shopping centers alongside the lively atmosphere of traditional festivals, where Eastern and Western cultures blend and collide, creating a unique cultural landscape.
If Korea and Vietnam's "de-Sinicization" can be seen as an inevitable response to the currents of history, Mongolia's choice reflects more of a consideration of geopolitics and national strategy.
The country that once established an empire spanning Eurasia shares intricate historical connections with China.
Genghis Khan's cavalry broke the Song Dynasty's rule, establishing the Yuan Dynasty, incorporating China into the Mongolian Empire's domain.
Although the Yuan rule was brief, Mongolia maintained close interactions with China.
In the 17th century, the Mongolian region was incorporated into the Qing Dynasty, becoming part of China; as the Qing Dynasty declined, Mongolian national consciousness gradually awakened, with a desire to break free from Chinese rule and establish its own state.
In 1921, Outer Mongolia declared independence under the leadership of the Mongolian People's Party, establishing the Mongolian People's Republic.
To completely rid itself of Chinese influence, they undertook a series of cultural reforms, abandoning traditional Mongolian script in favor of the Cyrillic alphabet, while Buddhism's status was diminished and socialist ideology became mainstream.
Though these cultural policies had their historical context and practical reasons, they also led to a gradual estrangement of Mongolian culture from Chinese culture.
In the early 1990s, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Mongolia experienced dramatic political and economic changes, with socialism gradually losing its appeal, and the long-suppressed traditional culture began to revive.
More and more Mongolians realized that while the Cyrillic alphabet is easier to learn, it severs ties with their historical roots;
Buddhism continues to play an important role in their spiritual lives.
Thus, a quiet "cultural revival" movement emerged in Mongolia, with people beginning to learn traditional Mongolian script, study ancient culture, and reopen Buddhist temples, leading to an increase in religious activity, while the government implemented measures to encourage and support the preservation of traditional culture.
Having undergone the trials of "de-Sinicization," a cultural rift has gradually formed between Mongolia and China.
Today, walking through the streets of Mongolia, the traces of Chinese culture are hard to find, and the younger generation's understanding of Chinese culture is also quite limited.
Unlike these three countries, Singapore's path of "de-Sinicization" reflects its unique national positioning and development strategy.
Despite its small land area, Singapore holds a crucial geographical position in Southeast Asia, with a diverse cultural background.
With over 75% of its population being Chinese, it is one of the countries with the highest proportion of Chinese in the world.
Since gaining independence in 1965, the Singapore government has implemented a multilingual policy focused on English, seeking a balance among different ethnicities and cultures to create a common identity for "Singaporeans."
The government believes that English, as a global lingua franca, helps enhance international competitiveness;
while emphasizing multiculturalism helps avoid cultural conflicts and maintain social harmony.
To promote English, Singapore has taken a series of measures to establish English as the official language and primary language of instruction, making it widely used in schools. While this has increased internationalization, it has also led to a decline in the frequency of use of languages like Chinese, weakening the influence of traditional Chinese culture.
In terms of cultural policy, Singapore encourages various ethnic groups to retain their traditional customs while emphasizing the uniqueness of "Singaporean Chinese culture," striving to distinguish it from mainland Chinese culture.
The government encourages Chinese people to learn Mandarin, but promotes it using simplified characters.
Although Singapore's "de-Sinicization" policy has achieved certain results, it has also sparked controversy.
Some people argue that the government overemphasizes the importance of English, neglecting mother-tongue education, leading to a weakened sense of identity with Chinese culture among the younger generation;
others worry that such a multicultural policy may result in a lack of common values, which could hinder national cohesion.
Looking back at the "de-Sinicization" journeys of these four countries, the transformation of cultural identity is not instantaneous but rather a result of the interplay of historical, political, and economic factors.
For these nations that have been deeply influenced by Chinese culture, "de-Sinicization" does not mean a complete denial of Chinese culture, but rather seeking a cultural path suitable for their own development amidst the tide of globalization, shaping a unique national image and cultural identity.
Their choices prompt us to reflect:
In today's world of coexisting multiculturalism, how do we view the relationship between cultural inheritance and transformation?
How can we absorb the excellent achievements of other cultures while preserving our own cultural roots?
These questions merit deep exploration.
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