On July 3, 2023, the opening ceremony of the Third Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations and the First World Conference of Sinologists was held in Beijing. A congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping was read at the event. Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the opening ceremony.
Noting that President Xi Jinping specifically sent a congratulatory letter to the event, Han Zheng said this speaks volumes about the great importance that the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government attach to the exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. The Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi, which reveals the basic laws of exchanges and development among civilizations and points out new prospects for cooperation in human society, is another important public good that China provides to the international community in the new era following the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. This indicates China's sincere desire to promote the progress of human civilization and build a human community with a shared future.
Han Zheng stressed the need to respect the diversity of human civilization, uphold the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and work for harmonious coexistence among different civilizations. It's important to explore the commonality of human civilization, jointly pursue the path of peaceful development, and carry forward the common values of different civilizations. Efforts should be made to keep the innovative development of civilizations. Countries need to fully harness the relevance of their histories and cultures to the present times, and build on past achievements to advance new progress of human civilization. Han Zheng also stressed the need to promote the inclusiveness of human civilization, strengthen international people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and steer the development of civilizations on a multilateral course.
Han Zheng pointed out that currently, the Chinese people are advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization under the leadership of the CPC. Chinese modernization enriches and develops a new form of human civilization, blazes a new trail for the development of civilizations, and brings new opportunities for closer mutual learning among civilizations. China is ready to join hands with other countries to hold high the banner of multilateralism, strengthen cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative, among others, inject new impetus into global development and prosperity, and create a new vision of modernization. Han Zheng expressed the hope that party leaders, sinologists, and people from all walks of life around the world will continuously contribute their wisdom and strength to enhancing international people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, and to promoting high-quality development of sinology research in the world.
The dialogue was hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding. Present at the event were nearly 400 party leaders, renowned scholars, cultural figures, and representatives of non-governmental organizations from various countries, as well as representatives of relevant departments from China. The attendees include Simplice Mathieu Sarandji, National Executive Secretary of the Movement of United Hearts and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Central African Republic, Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Action Party and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, Mohamed Yahya Ould Horma, Vice President of Mauritania's Equity Party, Miguel Ángel Moratinos Cuyaubé, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Colin Mackerras, Fellow of the Academy of the Humanities of Australia. Participants from all sectors voiced their active support for the major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and noted that Chinese modernization effectively promotes world peace and development. They also expressed readiness to make efforts for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and for the development and progress of humanity.
Prior to the conference, Han Zheng held talks and had exchanges with participating foreign representatives in a group meeting.
