Tehran; Allameh Tabatabei University

Faculty of Farsi Literature and Foreign Languages

October 29th, 2017

Departments: Philosophy; Chinese Language; History; Intercultural Philosophy Association and the Iranian Confucius Society

 

The relations between the ancient civilizations of Iran and China have a long history. Footprints of the Chinese civilization is visible in Iranian legends. According to the reports, the narratives, histories, diaries and writings of Iranian and Chinese historians, started about 2500 years ago. These relations have always existed, before and after Islam. But according to some scholars, they began with the building of the Silk Road which made transaction possible. But now it is clear that as a result of these economic relations, the two countries have engaged in scientific, artistic and religious relations. Officially, these relations have been recorded since the time of Parthian Empire (MEhrdad II). During the Moguls’ reign, the relations became more significant. You can find the marks of these relations on the Silk Road. Mutual cultural, artistic and literary affects between the Chinese and the Iranians, and even the entering of different Iranian religions into China is a sign of this (e.g. Zaroastrianism, Manichaeism, Buddhism and Islam).

from a historical geographical perspective, Iran has been the way to the West for the Chinese. When Islam entered Iran, and the Iranians made some conquests, Iran and China had a common border and Islam got into China. With the beginning of the Sung dynasty in China, which was a tolerant regime, some Muslim Iranians migrated to China because of the Omavi and Abbasid dictatorship. in the time of the Mongols, Iran and China were parts of their territory. when Kubla Khan took the power in China, Iran and China began some tight relations, so much that it affected Iranian art and painting. during the Teymouri dynasty, Samarkand was the economical, artistic and political center of the two countries. some guy called Ali Akbar writes a diary of his trip to China called Khotay-Naameh. during the Safavid period. with the beginning of the Manchu dynasty, the relations between the two countries were stopped until 1321.

The political and social developments in China has changed the cultural situation in this country. With the collapse of the Ching dynasty with the leadership of Sun Yat-sen and the 1911 Revolution and the beginning of the Rpeublic of China in 1912 and after Communism and the Mao reforms, the value tenets of this civilization and the Chinese traditions has been preserved. We can see that they have been successful in their relation with modernity. In the modern era, their achievements in cultural and economical areas have led to this wondering: how have these changes occurred and how has an old civilization based on an old tradition, has become successful. Analyzing such experiences, can be helpful for our country. Under the new circumstances, there is a potential for mutual understanding and also for cooperation in cultural issues. This necessitates thinking about the heritage and the history of the relationships. In the recent decades, after the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the relation between the two countries has developed. Building centers for Chinese studies and Iranian studies, holding conferences by centers such as The Chinese Academy of Sciences and The Iranian Organization for Islamic Culture and Relations and exchanging students, has led to more ties between the two countries. Iran Studies and paying attention to the Farsi Language is important in China and there are famous Iranolgists in China.

 

China has showed that it can reach a synthesis of its past and the modern and postmodern necessities. Success in economy and cultural understanding (via establishing societies like Confucius society) shows the importance of China in mutual cultural talks. This conference tries to provide such a basis. Common themes like mythology, art, poetry and literature and some religious and mystic beliefs, common to both countries, can help us in this direction. Without a doubt, China can be a source of inspiration for us and also be inspired by the Iranian Culture.