Abstract

Of all the persisting civilizations in the world, Chinese civilization has endured the vicissitudes of history the longest without abrupt collapse. In the formation and development of Chinese civilization, China at some times experienced unity, strength, prosperity, and glory, and at other times experienced disunion, weakness, depression, and even humiliation. In its long continuous history, China has had a peculiar characteristic of recurrence in which an era of political strength and social prosperity would be superseded by an era of political weakness and social chaos, and finally a lively new era would appear to continue the historical cycle