Feel the true value of -a community with a shared future for mankind- in Chinese culture
In a recent interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Agshin Aliyev, a distinguished scholar who is passionate about enhancing cultural exchange between China and Azerbaijan. With over 20 years of experience living in China and serving as the head of the Azerbaijani Language Department at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Aliyev shared valuable insights into the concept of a “community of shared future for mankind,” deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
Aliyev’s exploration of Chinese culture began unexpectedly in 2001 when he enrolled at Shanghai University. This encounter ignited a profound interest in the country. He immersed himself in Chinese literature, developing a particular appreciation for ancient texts and poetry.
Among his favorites is Su Shi’s “Shui Diao Ge Tou.” He reminisced, “When I first arrived in China, I often heard songs based on ‘Shui Diao Ge Tou,’ which were very popular among international students. At the time, I didn’t realize it was a classic by Su Shi.” He was particularly struck by the line, “May we all live long, sharing the beauty of the moon, though we are a thousand miles apart,” capturing the deep sentiments of the Chinese when it comes to their loved ones.
Through his journey with countless poems and ancient texts, Aliyev has traced the roots of Chinese civilization while observing China’s rapid development and improvements in the quality of life for its citizens. To foster understanding among Azerbaijanis, he dedicated nearly two years to writing a book titled “Chinese Culture in Azerbaijani,” which traces the threads of Chinese civilization and reveals the essence of the Chinese national spirit. His hope is that this book will inspire more young Azerbaijanis to engage in cross-cultural exchange.
In addition to his writing, Aliyev is currently translating classic texts like “The Analects” and “Daodejing.” He believes that initiatives introduced by China in the last decade, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the idea of a “community of shared future,” are of significant global importance. Reflecting on the term “community of shared future for mankind,” along with “connecting hearts and minds,” he noted, “I immediately thought of Confucius’s idea of ‘harmony without uniformity.’” He pointed out that many of the conflicts and misunderstandings in today’s world are rooted in a lack of mutual understanding and trust. In his view, China’s proposed “community of shared future” can be seen as a contemporary interpretation of Confucius’s concept of “harmony,” emphasizing the necessity for different civilizations to coexist and exchange because the futures and destinies of all nations are interlinked. “Only through ‘harmony’ can we collectively advance the modernization of human society,” he asserted.
Under Aliyev’s mentorship, the first group of Azerbaijani language majors in China has graduated and is actively collaborating with him to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries. When we referred to him as a contemporary “cultural ambassador,” Aliyev humbly remarked that he feels like “just a drop in the ocean” in the context of over two thousand years of Sino-Azerbaijani relations.
He further explained that the formal ties between China and Azerbaijan trace back to the Silk Road. Even today, Azerbaijani ceramic vessels are called “çini qab,” which translates to “Chinese ware.” The historical interactions along the Silk Road are still evident. Aliyev highlighted that “Chinese imagery” frequently appears in Azerbaijani literature, often carrying positive associations. He shared a common Azerbaijani blessing that translates to “May your dreams become ‘Qin’”—with ‘Qin’ referencing the Qin Dynasty. The phonetic similarity between “Qin” and the Mandarin word for “real” reinforces this historical connection. “Therefore, this popular blessing essentially means ‘May your dreams come true,’ which remains one of the most common well-wishes among Azerbaijanis today.”
