Beijing, 10 January 2022 (TDI): The President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, delivered a remarkable historical speech. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said:
History is moving forward, and the world will not return to what it was in the past. Our choices and actions now will determine what kind of world we live in tomorrow. It is imperative we address the four major challenges facing the modern world.
It is crucial that humanity give up ideological prejudice and commit to peaceful coexistence, mutual benefit, and win-win collaboration. Just as no two leaves are the same, history, culture, and social systems are all unique, no one better than the other.
It is impossible to compare countries based on their histories, cultures, or social systems. It is said that diversity contains the secret of humanity’s continuous evolution.
The history, culture, and social system of a country should meet its particular circumstances, enjoy the support of its citizens, deliver political stability, social progress, better lives, and contribute to human development. History, culture, and social systems have always been different among human societies.
It is impossible for human civilization to exist without diversity, and such diversity will persist for as long as we can imagine. It is not a problem to have different cultures – Xi Jinping
So what should the concern be about? Arrogance, prejudice, and hatred are used to impose a hierarchy on human civilization or to impose one’s own culture and social system on others.
Mutual respect is the basis for peaceful coexistence, as is expanding common ground while shelving differences and promoting exchanges and mutual learning. This is how civilizations develop.
This speech precisely matched one of the oldest civilizations in the world and the richest cultures made by mankind, China, the country that made history and was made by history.
Any civilization cannot be studied, no matter how ancient or modern, without discovering that very distinct print of Chinese civilization on it.
In addition, finding any civilisation in the world that affects the Chinese civilisation will indicate how old and great this civilisation is and how rich it is.
In the wisdom of ancient China, the genius was in its diversity and interdependence within diverse harmony, as well as its ability to absorb enormous amounts of culture, whether internal or external.
诸天之下 (Zhū tiān zhī xià – under the heavens)
Ancient China obtained a cultivated land of varied cultures, profound philosophies, and open civilization (around 2070 B.C. to 1368, before the Ming Dynasty). This alternative concept of China is mostly absent in modern Western knowledge.
Chinese culture had a concept called tianxia (“all under heaven”) thousands of years ago. The concept can be incorporated into the future as a universal concept for a world system: a commonwealth shared by all nations, by all civilizations, and by all people.
A Tianxia is not the promise of an ideal world nor the end of history, but rather a vision of a world politically reshaped to maximize the chances of lasting stability and security.
In terms of philosophy, the book suggests an ontological approach to resolve the political crisis caused by the clash of civilizations.
This ongoing support from the Chinese civilization to other civilizations continues every day and moment without stopping. Today, humanity witnesses a recent step in China’s expanded effort to make history, today is the day of the second Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilisations.
Under the Auspices of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU)
The webinar began with a great video that carried out very enlightening information about what the importance of cultural exchanges and civilization dialogues is as a result of the long history of interaction between different civilizations and nations, and the video devoted a small part of it to the book, “A Thousand Arabian Nights,” corresponding to the long history of cultural exchanges and civilization relations.
The time has come to break down the walls between nations and to build human civilization together. Advantage must be taken of the diversity that exists among all global civilizations. This great chemical reaction between the different civilizations should prove to everyone beneficial to the world as a whole and the people of different nations.
First Session
The opening of the first session was given by Song Tao, Minister of IDCPC, who welcomed the attendees. During this short talk, he established a few crucial points about the changing state of the world, including how it is experiencing a global crisis of COVID-19.
Differences between civilizations should be used as a motivation for communication and to build a constructive dialogue that will help build trust and interaction between cultures.
As part of his keynote speech, Ji Bingxuan, Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China and President of CAFIU, spoke about collective knowledge and mutual benefits.
During his talk, he emphasized the potential of civilizations to live together in harmony and to interact with one another. He said that this is not just a story, but rather a systematic interactive design that documents the history of mankind.
Furthermore, he assured that every individual has the responsibility of incorporating global knowledge into his or her brain and soul, as well as his own personal history and the culture of the civilization from which he or she hails.
There is no civilization in the world that does not have a similar set of ethics regarding what is right and wrong in the world. There is no doubt about the truth of this statement. It is possible to find evidence of this in all of mankind’s cultures.
He believes that it is the fate of all, judged by the same natural phenomenons because everyone is basically the children of this earth. It is believed that many of the personal and philosophical beliefs are derived from the study of this natural phenomenon.
This interactive harmony between the cultures of humanity has become a more and more important part of strengthening the bonds of mutual trust and respect between all people across all civilizations as globalization and the evolution of cultures have emerged.
China and the Communist Party of China are encouraging these civilizations to interact and support each other’s distinctive cultures. According to his international responsibilities, President Xi called on the world to unite around the idea of civilizational dialogue.
Chinese civilization has always strived for a world of peace, and its communication and interaction with all other civilizations have always been based on mutual respect for the diversity of humanity’s culture and differences, in order to achieve the global goal of universal peace for all people. Towards the end of his speech, he urged the entire world to join together with China to create a better world for all of humanity.
Vice-Minister Chen Zhou of the International Development Cooperation & Promotion Council (IDCPC) emphasized the importance of what was said in the previous speech because the interaction of civilizations affirms humanity’s continuity and growth.
Humanity can come together across other civilizations for goals that benefit the world at large the familiar ground between them. Common ground can be discovered across a comprehensive range of topics.
According to him, the world economy needs this civilization dialogue more than ever before because of the changes that the world is undergoing, such as COVID-19 and global climate change.
China was and continues to be present with both arms for all other countries to collaborate and share knowledge and effective practices for assisting humanity throughout the world.
The most enormous thing about civilization represents its diversity and its differences, and there is nothing that could make it better or better than another. This diversity could remain a point of strength, and a space for the exchange of knowledge enhances the strength of every civilization.
The most sustainable solutions for most of the world’s challenges can be reached by achieving mutual learning and transferring knowledge and practices. There is no doubt that democracy and freedom remain essential elements of humanity’s legacy.
They are present in all cultures and civilizations. It has been seen how COVID-19 unites the world and makes all cross the differences and come together with only one intention: to help the world and the existence of humanity as a whole.
He said that he believes it is critically significant that extensive cooperation between humanity for a better tomorrow and a safer world for all is maintained.
It is impossible to accept that one civilization can prevent another, but we can work together to identify common ground and achieve global understanding, enhancing the power of our diversity.
The People’s Republic of China has been and will continue to be the guardian of human peace and prosperity, working in concert with all peace-loving nations to develop a world that is pleasanter for all.
Towards the end of the speech, he extended his heartiest wishes to everyone around the world for the forthcoming new year and the coming Chinese New Year.
Ben Chhin, Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Member, Secretary-General of the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, started his speech by thanking the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee for organizing this great and important event for the future development of the world.
According to him, the interaction of civilizations could clearly be noted, between the Asian civilizations and how they live together while influencing one another in every way. In spite of all the differences between these nations, this considerably enhances both civilizations to their maximum potential.
Both civilisations and democracy find the rituals are derived from the cultural and historical heritage of the nations they accurately represent; they cannot be imported and they should be caused locally.
However, this does not mean one civilization can be isolated from another. Rather, it means they interact with each other and enhance each other. There is no one form of civilization or democracy; both are shaped by the local environment of a country and the cultural norms of its people.
Other Participants Address at the Webinar
Evo Morales, former President of the State of Bolivia and President of the Movement for Socialism of Bolivia, said, “China and Bolivia bear many similarities from the historical and present point of view.
“Both have extremely strong historical rites and great civilizations, and both have many intensities and variety in their nation’s DNA. And both are peace-loving nations that promote civilizations through interactive and positive dialogue.
In his speech, Jose L. R. Zapatero, former Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain, highlighted the fact that the United Nations was founded after two world wars and great suffering for all humanity to serve the purpose of peace and security in the world.
Civilizations and cultures could perfectly serve humanity’s purpose of maintaining peace and security, and knowledge can be shared for a better future.
Under the theme of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Stephon Marbury, Head Coach of the CBA Beijing Royal Fighters from the US, and Xue Shen, the Chinese Figure Skating Association’s President, who is an Olympic champion.
In both perspectives, the sport is an important part of the civilization and culture that gives hope and happiness to all humanity
Part II of the Conference entitled “Peace and Development: Foundations of Human Survival and Guarantees of Cultural Continuity.”
During this part of the program, former UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova spoke about the importance of continuous dialogue between cultures and civilizations, which includes exchanging knowledge as well as transferring science and experience, as well as effective practices during this challenging time for the world.
This was followed by the speech of Jiang Bo, Vice-President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, in which he made the point that historical evidence confirms that China grasps one of the most important ancient civilizations. These great ancient civilizations influenced and were influenced by other civilizations in a harmonious manner.
Founded on mutual respect for the inherent differences between civilizations and an understanding of their profound differences, this extensive interaction between civilizations is nothing but solid evidence that civilizations can work in harmony to achieve peace and prosperity for their people if they are founded on mutual understanding and respect for what differentiates each civilization from the other.
The academic talk from Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Director of TAG Confucius Institute in Amman, Jordan, Dr. Roger T. Ames, Peking University Chair Professor of Humanities, and Dr. Zhang Baijun, Vice-President of CAFIU and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, all of them undoubtedly possessed the same understanding of the paramount importance of the mutual understanding of the unique differences between every civilization and the key to achieving universal peace and the human goal, especially the challenges of COVID 19 as well the climate change.
Part III of the Conference was on the subject of “Fairness and Justice: Social Ideals for Humanity and the Direction of Cultural Advancement.”
A discussion took place among the attendees concerning democracy and freedom as human heirlooms and legacies. However, they remain abstract concepts that differ according to the diverse political climates, social and historical patterns of different civilizations and peoples.
The understanding comes from the certainty of every nation and is obtained in their customs, religions, and behavioral characteristics. It does not signify a fundamental change in philosophy, but rather a dialogue that must be based on mutual respect, constructive justice, and understanding, without passing judgment or trying to impose order on nations.
Their heritage and culture are not compatible with these understandings and philosophies. Perhaps it is important to mention some important statements made by Dr. Essam Sharaf, former Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt and President of the Sharaf Foundation for Sustainable Development, who stressed that ideas about peace can only result from the convergence between ideas from different civilizations and cultures. Due to the combination of these constructive ideas in different civilizations, a global perception is created which is acceptable to all and, consequently, leads to the success of international relations.
Western democracies are not necessarily compatible with Eastern societies, and this does not mean Eastern societies must close their doors to study this understanding. we should carefully look at these philosophies and adopt only what is relevant to their societies from this Western understanding of democracy. – Dr. Essam Sharaf
Closing Ceremony
Speakers followed suit of the conference, emphasizing the importance of dialogue based on mutual understanding of the fundamental differences between diverse peoples, mutual respect, grasping the fundamental and urgent issues of each individual, and understanding the priorities of the people, so a human understanding of the issues encountering the world can be reached. In spite of the political considerations of a particular country’s interests or the salience of a single political bloc,
At the end of the meeting, the Egyptian Ambassador, Mohamed Elbadri, concluded with the statement that civilizations should not confront each other, but rather cooperate to increase their position and reinforce their foundations. In fact, it is the only guarantee for the continuity of this civilization as well as of humanity.
