The Chinese mainland has unveiled its Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), aiming to foster respect for diverse civilizations and promote common human values. The GCI emphasizes the continuity and evolution of civilizations, encouraging closer international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
Examples of the initiative in action include the Conferences on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations and between Chinese and African Civilizations. Additionally, the Chinese mainland hosts numerous cultural events such as the Arabic Arts Festival and the International Arts Festival. In 2017 alone, around 2,000 events were held in over 130 countries, and approximately 3,000 pairs of sister cities or provinces have been established worldwide.
President Xi Jinping outlined four key themes of the GCI: respecting the diversity of civilizations, upholding common human values like peace and development, preserving and innovating traditional cultures, and enhancing international cooperation through people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized dialogue and cooperation as the path forward, avoiding hegemonic ambitions.
While the GCI has garnered praise from many nations, some international analysts offer differing perspectives on its impact on global governance and human rights. Nonetheless, China remains committed to its three global initiatives—development, security, and civilization—viewing them as central to its foreign policy and aspirations for a Global Community of Shared Future.
The ultimate success of the Global Civilization Initiative will be measured by its tangible outcomes and the positive changes it brings to developing countries, showcasing the effectiveness of China’s commitment to fostering global unity and cooperation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
