Abstract: The basic issues raised by Cao Shunqing,such as the discussion on cross-culture,cross-civilization,and heterogeneity in comparative literature provided theoretical foundation,basic discourse and concept system for the establishment of Chinese school of variation study in comparative literature.In the theoretical construction of comparative literature,variation is not compatible with identity;it is the fundamentalism of heterogeneity and the universalism of identity,developing the useful and discarding the useless theoretically.The logical starting point in comparative literature is to make clear of the inner motivation of comparative literature and demonstrate the rationale of variation study.

Key words: Cao Shunqing, cross-civilization, heterogeneity, variation study