都江堰:东亚本土知识及其普世意义的一个案例

Dujiangyan irrigation system: A case of East Asia local knowledge with universal significance

Dujiangyan irrigation system of more than 2000 years history is a symbol of originality of Chinese ancestors both in its conception and project mode. It is still working well and benefit Chengdu Plain nowadays while other comparable water conservancy projects of the same or later age have vanished and been forgotten. More than just a world-famous cultural heritage, it shows the harmonious relationship between man and nature. And it also reveals us how to solve problems in the era of economic globalization, such as the constantly silt up of the dams, the exhaustion of the energy and the crisis of the deterioration of ecosystem. The inspirations it gives us range from technology to humanities, from economy to various aspects in social life. In a word, Dujiangyan irrigation system demonstrates the wisdom and creativity of Chinese people and has a universal significance despite the change of time and space. Translated by Li Dan from Shijie wenhua de dongya shijiao: quanqiuhua jincheng zhong de dongfang wenming 世界文化的东亚视角: 全球化进程中的东方文明 (East Asia’s view on world culture: East civilizations in the process of globalization). Beijing: Beijing daxue chubanshe, 2007, 127–141.