当今世界文化呈现多元化格局。多种文化样式中，从影响力看，其主流大体可认为有三极：如将欧洲文化与美国文化看作世界文化的“两极”，具有数千年传统、深厚根基及强大生命力的中国文化，可称为“第三极文化”。“第三极文化”植根于中国文明传统，同时具有与时俱进的内在品格。它以倡导文化多元化为前提，尊重文化差异。
世界文化必然在相互影响下形成多元共存局面。中国式的“第三极文化”以“和谐”为理念，践行创造，在多元文化世界里确立自身位置，自主适应时代变化，与其他文化取长补短，共建一套共同认可的秩序和守则，一起为推动人类社会发展做出应有贡献。
“第三极文化”是学术命题，更是对提高国家文化软实力具有重要意义的文化目标。学术研究、艺术创作、文化传播、资源整合是通往这一目标的重要路径。
Among the current diversified culture patterns around the world, there are three major forces that have high influences on the world culture: the European culture, the American Culture and the Chinese Culture. If the European and American culture are the “Two Poles” representing the western world, then the Chinese culture, with its deep root and strong vitality developed over thousands of years, can be called “The Third Pole Culture”. Rooted in the traditional Chinese civilization, the Third Pole Culture advances with the times and respects cultural differences under the premise of initiating cultural diversities.
Currently, the diversified patterns of world culture co-exist under mutual influences. The Chinese “Third Pole Culture” advocates the idea of “harmony” through a practical and creative approach, adjusting itself with times and learning from each other with the purpose to build a commonly recognized code and order for the world culture and to contribute to the ever-evolving development of human society.
“The Third Pole Culture” is not only an academic subject, but more importantly a cultural mission with strategic significance to enhance the soft power of Chinese culture. Academic research, creative production, cultural communication and resource integration are the most important means to achieve this mission.