Did Aristotle exist? China targets pseudo-history myths claiming West stole civilisations

A Chinese provincial propaganda department has issued a warning against conspiracy theories claiming that Ancient Greece and its famous philosopher Aristotle never existed. The "Zhejiang Propaganda" account, linked to the Zhejiang provincial publicity department, cautioned that such theories represent a growing "pseudo-historical school" that aims to deny Western history and claim Chinese origins for Western achievements.

The post argued that these theories promote a sense of national pride but reflect ignorance about the exchange of ideas between civilizations. The concept of "cultural confidence," which became part of President Xi Jinping's "Four Confidences" in 2016, has fueled narratives about China's historical strength and richness. However, some scholars believe these pseudo-historical theories are a response to a trend in Chinese society seeking to distance itself from Western-centric views of history.

Retired art history professor Huang Heqing, considered influential in this movement, claimed Aristotle never existed and traced Western inventions back to China. The post accused proponents of these views of making unfalsifiable claims and reinterpreting evidence to fit their conspiracy theory. The Chinese government has never endorsed this narrative, and official textbooks do not include it.

The World Conference of Classics, held in Beijing in 2024, received support from Xi, but Han nationalists often share these views, defining some dynasties as "orthodox Han" and viewing the Qing dynasty as a colonial invader. Experts advise historians to communicate history in accessible ways to combat these unfounded conspiracy theories.