A Collision of Eastern and Western Thought Exploring New Possibilities for Human Civilization in Xuemo’sSuosalang——Xuemo in Dialogue (Session One)

A Collision of Eastern and Western Thought Exploring New Possibilities for Human Civilization in Xuemo’sSuosalang——Xuemo in Dialogue (Session One)

 

On February 8, 2026, a high-level international online academic dialogue was successfully held. This “International Dialogue on Suosalang” was jointly organized by the World Literature Union and the Xuemo Foundation, bringing together renowned scholars and sinologists from China, Italy, Canada, the United Kingdom, Iran, and other countries for an in-depth exchange of ideas.

Centered on the eight-volume epic Suosalang by the Chinese writer Xuemo, thisdialogue featured profound discussions and vibrant intellectual dialogue.

The dialogue was hosted by Chen Yanjin, senior editor at the People's Literature Publishing House and longtime editor of Xuemo’s works. She warmly welcomed all participants and noted that the dialogue aimed to explore, through a global cross-cultural and interdisciplinary exchange, the literary value, cultural depth, and international dissemination potential of Suosalang, a landmark work in the history of Chinese literature.

The Convergence of Literature and Science Fiction: Exploring New Paths for Civilization Through Inner Discovery

One of the central themes of the dialogue was the profound connection between Suosalang and science fiction literature.The keynote speaker, the renowned Chinese writer Xuemo, explained that Suosalang is not a traditional narrative epic, but rather an exploration of a “holographic civilization.” He raised the question of whether humanity might open up an entirely new form of civilization beyond existing civilizational models.Unlike Elon Musk, who explores future possibilities through technology, Xuemo’s exploration is rooted in literature and art. In his view, the multiple “Suosalang” worlds depicted in the work symbolize humanity’s search for emerging possibilities of civilization.

Professor Wang Qiong of Guangxi Minzu University, the key dialogue guest of this session approached the discussion from the perspectives of science fiction and philosophy. She raised profound questions such as: “If the world were destroyed, could AI create a different new world?” and “What is the central literary theme of this epic?”

In response, Xuemo moved beyond conventional discussions of artificial intelligence algorithms and proposed that AI might represent a form of autonomous “natural intelligence” or “higher-dimensional intelligence” — a medium for human exploration rather than the final destination itself.

He emphasized that the core of Suosalang lies in “seeking inward,” a path fundamentally different from the outward conquest associated with Western civilization. Its ultimate aim, he explained, is to explore the inner world of humanity and thereby achieve the elevation of love and wisdom.

Professor Wang Qiong further explained that this vision resonates with the postmodern philosophical concept of “immanence.” She noted that Suosalang is permeated by humanity’s pursuit of the “eternal light,” and that “light” itself serves as a shared spiritual symbol across major civilizations.

When asked which character he favored most, Xuemo chose “Shenglelang,” explaining that the character represents a positive transcendence of desire. In his view, Shenglelang embodies the journey every individual undergoes in the secular world — through trials, self-cultivation, and ultimately spiritual elevation.

Xuemo concluded that the value of Suosalang lies in its message to the world: that every person can create his or her own ideal “Suosalang” through the love and wisdom within.

A Multidimensional Dialogue Among International Scholars: Focusing on the Universal Value of “Seeking Within”

During the subsequent dialogue session among international scholars, participants from diverse cultural backgrounds raised thought-provoking questions about the spiritual core of Suosalang and its implications for the contemporary world.

Riccardo Moratto, a sinologist from Italy, drew upon the Western epic tradition in his question: in an age when technology increasingly dissolves meaning, which aspect of the “inward quest” in Suosalang is most likely to resonate with Western readers accustomed to “outward conquest”?

In response, Xuemo observed that as humanity’s exploration of the external world comes ever closer to realizing that “the world is a manifestation perceived by the mind,” the only true path to redemption lies in returning inward and building an inner civilization grounded in love and wisdom. Only in this way, he argued, can humanity avoid being consumed by capital and desire and ultimately achieve peaceful coexistence.

Xiaoyan Wu, a scholar from Canada, drew upon her own experience of urban life to ask what kind of reading guidanceSuosalangmight offer to readers living in large cities.

Using the metaphor of a “cup,” Xuemo explained that reading works such asSuosalang, which portray the natural landscapes and unadorned way of life of western China, can “expand the cup” of one’s existence and spiritual world — realms that modern urban life often narrows and solidifies. Through a broader frame of reference, readers may come to reassess anxiety, gain and loss, and ultimately attain inner peace.

Song Lianyi, a teacher from the United Kingdom, further inquired about the meaning of the image that Xuemo often invokes — “a lamp within the heart.”

Xuemo gave this “lamp” a clear standard of judgment: it must bring people love, wisdom, health, and happiness — none of these qualities can be absent. He emphasized that not every “lamp” guiding an individual is beneficial to humanity. A “lamp” capable of bringing disaster to the world is an evil one and should be approached with vigilance.

Dr. Elham Mirzania, an Iranian scholar, approached the discussion from the perspective of the Persian Sufi literary tradition, which views suffering as a force capable of spiritual transformation, and explored the portrayal of suffering in Suosalang.

Xuemo responded that within the grand “drama” of life, suffering is one of its most compelling chapters — a gift bestowed by fate. How one confronts and transcends suffering, he explained, ultimately depends upon individual choice.

In addition, Song Lianyi from the SOAS University of London, Xia Huan from the Macau University of Science and Technology, Dr. John Edward Stowe, from Toronto Metropolitan University, and Elham Mirzania also engaged in in-depth discussions with Xuemo on topics including the nature of belief, the cultivation of spiritual strength, the inner state of literary creation, and the continuity of civilization.

In his responses, Xuemo further elaborated on a practical path for building individual spiritual strength through the five dimensions of “Dao, Virtue, Method, Technique, and Momentum” (“Dao, De, Fa, Shu, and Shi”).

A Spiritual Dialogue Beyond Literature

The International Dialogue on Suosalang was not only a high-level academic discussion, but also a sincere exchange of minds and spirits. The scholars’ questions transcended geographical and cultural boundaries, while Xuemo’s responses were profound and insightful, directly addressing the shared existential and spiritual challenges facing humanity.

The meeting concluded with a group screenshot taken in the cloud, laying a solid foundation for a future series of international dialogues. It also marked a moment in which contemporary Chinese literature is increasingly participating, with greater confidence and philosophical depth, in global discussions about the future vision of human civilization.