While patriotism does not require reasons, cultural confidence does.

The Ethiopians take great delight in their 3,000-year-long civilization. When discussing culture with them, I often saw their eyes sparkle with pride--an expression that I will not forget. Patriotism is an instinct for those who have a motherland, just as it is in our nature to love our parents. But there are reasons for the cultural confidence of a person or a nation. The Ethiopians' confidence about their culture stems from their long history as well as their ancestors' remarkable cultural achievements and contributions to human civilizations.

The civilization of Aksum, the capital of the ancient Empire of Ethiopia, peaked in the first century B.C. Its flourishing economy, trade, architecture and art attracted numerous bureaucrats and merchants from the Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula. Aksum bears some resemblance to Xi'an, an ancient capital city of China. Unlike Xi'an, which remains a thriving metropolis, Aksum's prosperity has long been consigned to history. Rubble and withered grass seen everywhere in the city can hardly remind visitors of its glorious past. Towering obelisks in the bleak ruins of ancient Aksum are the only signs of its historical civilization.

Obelisks, made of local granites, were the grave markers of Aksum residents. Varying in height from several meters to dozens of meters, they were all carved with single pieces of stone. The size of an obelisk and the sophistication of its carvings are indicative of the social status of the buried. Aksum archeologists showed us around one of the best preserved graveyards, which was said to be the royal cemetery built in the prime of the empire. Dozens of obelisks, high and low, formed a stunning stele forest.

The largest obelisk, which was 33 meters high and weighed more than 500 tons, is now fallen, with broken rocks lying on wild grass. Two other major obelisks remain standing, at 24 meters and 21 meters respectively. Legions of visitors from across the world rallied around the imposing structures. As they looked up at the masterpieces of Aksum people more than 2,000 years ago that still dot the city's skyline, they were all taken aback with astonishment. At the same time, they appeared puzzled, meditative and, most notably, struck with awe by Ethiopia's time-honored history and brilliant culture.

Gazing at the obelisks, I naturally thought of Egypt's pyramids and the Great Wall of China, all being symbols of the nations and their civilizations as well as tangible testaments to history. History and culture are two sides of the same coin. A nation passes down its history in the form of culture and preserves history in cultural symbols and heritage. Culture creates the most glittering ripples in the river of history. But it takes shape only with the passage of time and the accumulation of historical achievements. Therefore, when talking about history, we tend to use the phrase "history and culture." History and culture are like lovers deeply attached to each other.

Archeologists said the Italians plundered the 24-meter-high obelisk in 1937. After persistent demands by the Ethiopian Government and people for its return, it was handed back in 2005 and restored to its original place. The Ethiopians' just struggle protected the dignity of obelisks as well as their nation. We have reason to feel glad for them because they washed off a national stigma they had suffered with the return of the obelisk, which marked a cultural triumph in modern society.

In the past, some countries, which labeled themselves the world's cultural centers, looted countless treasures from other parts of the world thanks to their military superiority. They openly used the spoils to equip museums or decorate palaces without feeling guilty. They even went so far as priding themselves on the robbed treasures and capitalizing on them to boost their arrogance.

In recent years, there have been frequent media reports about Greece, Egypt and China urging Western countries to return looted artifacts. However, very few attempts have succeeded like Ethiopia's. A nation should pursue cultural development based on its own efforts, instead of through brutal seizure and plundering. While it is possible to get rich overnight materially, it is impossible to do so culturally. There can be no cultural upstarts. Robbers can take illegal possession of others' wealth, but not others' ideas and thoughts. A country can plunder the world's treasures, but not another country's history and culture.

Today, Ethiopia remains poor economically with many Ethiopians being tortured by hunger. At the same time, however, it is a wealthy nation endowed with invaluable assets such as a profound culture and spiritual richness. As we listened to Ethiopian archeologists talk in a confident tone, we felt the millenniums-old Aksum civilization and the venerable Ethiopian history and culture remain a strong driving force. Like rain and sunshine, they keep the ancient nation energetic and vigorous. They continue to provide impetus and spiritual support for Ethiopia's development and revitalization.