Abstract: Since "Chinese ethics" may have three different meanings, it is necessary to figure out in which sense we are going to rewrite or construct contemporary Chinese ethics. What we are going to construct is neither ethics created in China, nor ethics merely suitable for China, but contemporary ethics with Chinese characteristics. Without constructing ethics with Chinese characteristics, we cannot construct ethics as a discipline, inherit or innovate the Chinese and Western academic traditions of ethics, or contribute Chinese moral doctrines and wisdom to the world. More importantly, ethics with Chinese characteristics has been there in Chinese history and made great contribution to the world with profound influence. In the construction of contemporary ethics with Chinese characteristics, we must inherit the excellent tradition of ethics, carry on excellent genes and develop reasonable elements in Chinese traditional ethics, extract and elevate the moral spirit of the time, maintain ethics as a discipline, and promote contemporary ethics with Chinese characteristics to the world.

Key words: Chinese ethics, ethics with Chinese characteristics, Western ethics