中国文化的形成和发展过程，是以各国人民为师，不断学习和创造的过程。中华民族曾经向周边国家和民族学习过许多东西，假如没有这些学习，中华民族绝不可能创造出昔日的辉煌。回顾历史，我们怎能不对伟大的古埃及文明、古希腊文明、古印度文明满怀深深的感激?怎能不对伟大的欧洲文明、非洲文明、美洲文明、澳洲文明，以及亚洲文明充满温情与敬意?
中华民族为人类社会曾作出过独特的贡献。在15世纪以前，中国的科学技术一直处于世界遥遥领先的地位。英国科学家李约瑟(Joseph Needham)说：“中国在公元3世纪到13世纪之间，保持着一个西方所望尘莫及的科学知识水平。”
Indeed, it is true that if the Chinese people had not learned many things from the surrounding countries they would never have been able to produce the splendid achievements of former days. When we look back upon history, how can we not feel profoundly grateful for the legacies of the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Greece and India? How can we not feel fondness and respect for the cultures of Europe, Africa, America and Oceania?
The Chinese nation, in turn, has made unique contributions to the community of mankind. Prior to the 15th Century, China led the world in science and technology. The British scientist Joseph Needham once said, “From the third century A.D. to the 13 th century A.D. China was far ahead of the west in the level of its scientific knowledge.”