The concept of tianxia （all under heaven） had both a broad and a narrow meaning in traditional China, corresponding respectively to ＂the world＂ and ＂China.＂ It was generally believed that China＇s recent history...The concept of tianxia （all under heaven） had both a broad and a narrow meaning in traditional China, corresponding respectively to ＂the world＂ and ＂China.＂ It was generally believed that China＇s recent history saw a process in which tianxia contracted into a ＂state.＂ However, if we put the emphasis on what the Chinese literati had in mind, the process was more of a transformation from tianxia to ＂the world.＂ Kang Youwei creatively transformed Gongyang＇s idea of the ＂Three Worlds＂ from a diachronic to a synchronic concept, facilitating a smooth transformation from tianxia to ＂the world.＂ However, China was excluded fi-om the Western-dominated ＂world＂ system. The Chinese literati＇s yearning to become a part of＂the world,＂ and their endeavor to earn China a better position in the world, involved a hesitant process of exploration.展开更多
文摘The concept of tianxia （all under heaven） had both a broad and a narrow meaning in traditional China, corresponding respectively to ＂the world＂ and ＂China.＂ It was generally believed that China＇s recent history saw a process in which tianxia contracted into a ＂state.＂ However, if we put the emphasis on what the Chinese literati had in mind, the process was more of a transformation from tianxia to ＂the world.＂ Kang Youwei creatively transformed Gongyang＇s idea of the ＂Three Worlds＂ from a diachronic to a synchronic concept, facilitating a smooth transformation from tianxia to ＂the world.＂ However, China was excluded fi-om the Western-dominated ＂world＂ system. The Chinese literati＇s yearning to become a part of＂the world,＂ and their endeavor to earn China a better position in the world, involved a hesitant process of exploration.
