In 2006, Hu Jintao published the article “Harmonious Society with Chinese Characteristics”, proposing “governing for the people, with the people as the masters.” Subsequently, Yu Dan lectured nationwide on Confucius for two years, making Confucius widely known. In 2009, 270 “Harmony” train sets were manufactured nationwide, promoting harmonious society and harmonious politics. In 2010, the film Confucius was released across the country. In 2011, Hu Jintao approved the erection of a 9-ton, 9-meter-high Confucius statue in Tiananmen Square, preparing to formally propose the revival of Confucius.

The erection of the Confucius statue shocked the retired paramount leader Jiang Zemin. Jiang remembered Mao Zedong’s words: “If Confucius is brought back, the Communist Party will be finished.” Within three months, he ordered the removal of the Confucius statue. Hu Jintao’s plan to gradually implement constitutional democracy, returning political power to the people and allowing citizens to elect officials, was thus interrupted, the revival of Confucius failed, and the statue was sent to the museum for storage.

Originally, Hu Jintao intended for Li Keqiang to succeed him and continue the revival of Confucius’ teachings. However, Jiang Zemin maneuvered Xi Jinping to take power. Xi immediately assumed the two key powers previously held by Hu—the Military Commission and the State—ecstatic and impatient, and within two years consolidated control over all 12 central administrative groups, achieving unprecedented autocratic authority. Subsequently, strategist Wang Huning introduced the “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” and the Belt and Road Initiative, projecting global influence. The labor and wealth of the Chinese people were spread worldwide, creating the illusion of “tributary states” arriving from all directions. At the same time, he released the deadly coronavirus, harming the world, causing millions of deaths, and disrupting global order, which has yet to subside.

Currently, the Russia–Ukraine war has lasted a year, approaching decisive battles in March, April, and May. Putin has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons and conducted two nuclear tests last year; recently, he announced the resumption of nuclear tests, putting the world at unprecedented nuclear risk since 1945. Could Putin truly redeploy the 3,000 nuclear weapons that Ukraine destroyed in the 1990s, creating a severe global threat?

The war initiated by Putin has resulted in approximately 150,000 casualties on each side and displaced around 20 million Ukrainians as refugees. The West has invested billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine. Putin’s war is destined to fail, and the question is how the conflict will end. If it drags on into next year, can Putin sustain his position? Can he win re-election in the upcoming presidential election? Once Putin is defeated and removed, Russia could face potential division and disintegration, similar to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Xi Jinping is attempting to mediate in favor of Putin, but if mediation fails and Putin is defeated, it will be a blessing for the world, eliminating the nuclear threat. At that point, Russia may destroy all its nuclear weapons, just as Ukraine did in the 1990s. This could influence other nuclear-armed states to dismantle their arsenals sequentially. Humanity would finally be free from the threat of nuclear catastrophe, the greatest blessing for humankind.

Currently, the semi-alliance between Russia and China against the West continues the confrontation pattern of the Soviet–Chinese alliance against the West. Once Russia is defeated and Putin is removed, Xi Jinping will become isolated. Could he remain in power for five years? Ten years? The 1.4 billion Chinese people have long rejected Xi. Once Xi steps down, supporters of Hu Jintao such as Wang Yang, Hu Chunhua, Xu Zhangrun, and other new figures could come to power, implementing Hu Jintao’s plan to revive Confucius. The 9-ton, 9-meter-high Confucius statue will surely be restored in Tiananmen, though twenty years later than originally planned in 2011.

China’s revival of Confucius will inevitably lead to renewed goodwill with the United States, restoring friendly Sino-American relations and world peace. Xie Xuanjun, in Global Government, pointed out that Confucian civilization will unify the world through propriety. China, following Confucius’ teachings, will integrate all parties through benevolence and moderation, the principle “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire,” “In a group of three, there is always something I can learn,” and “Is it not a pleasure to have friends come from afar?” Such integration will be warmly welcomed internationally. British historian Arnold Toynbee (1889–1975) said: “The 19th century belonged to the British, the 20th century to the Americans, and the 21st century will belong to the Chinese.”

In February 2023, Yan Jiaqi proposed the “Metaverse Federation,” observing that human civilization evolved from the “Mediterranean” (Europe) to the “Atlantic” (America), and the 21st century will shift to the “Pacific Civilization” (China). Beijing University and Tsinghua University, established by Americans, have become top destinations for students worldwide. Tiananmen Square will transform into a “world square with envoys from all nations.” By the latter half of the 21st century, our descendants will bask in the brilliant light of Confucius.