Mutual learning of civilizations contributes to world peace and common development: China Daily editorial

For a long time, a prejudice has existed in the world that being developed naturally empowers a country to lecture others. With their self-assumed civilizational supremacy, they give themselves the license to act at will.

That arrogance has resulted in a widening development gap, and has brought mishaps to all as conflicts and crises keep breaking out because of the perception of some developed countries that there is a "clash of civilizations" if their preeminence is not acknowledged.

But trying to erase "the other" is a fool's errand.

Times have changed. The developing countries, those regarded by the "civilized" West as needing to be "civilized", or subordinately Westernized, are standing up to be recognized in their own right. The plurality of civilizations and their respective value as intrinsic parts of the human mosaic can no longer be denied.

Noting that diversity is what defines the world, that different histories, cultures and social systems are inherent features of human civilization as a whole, President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations to promote human progress.

In light of this, he put forward the Global Civilization Initiative in 2023. The initiative, which calls for the embracing of cultural diversity and respecting the heritage of different civilizations, aims to nurture a sense of interconnectedness and common purpose.

Proposed by China and cosponsored by over 80 countries, a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly last year designates June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. In a message as part of the activities marking the day in the UN Headquarters in New York this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that dialogue is essential for building bridges of understanding and trust, noting "this International Day is a call to action — to listen, to speak, to connect".

The Ministerial Meeting of the Global Civilizations Dialogue being held in Beijing from Thursday to Friday represents China's latest effort to promote mutual learning among civilizations to create a future of mutual respect. That over 600 people from around 140 countries and regions are attending the meeting, under the theme of "Safeguarding the Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development", indicates that China's call for civilizational dialogue is resonating globally. As President Xi said in his congratulatory letter to the meeting, diverse civilizations are the defining essence of the world and history has shown that exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are essential for civilizations to flourish and human progress to be made.

Indeed, there are differences among civilizations. But no matter how different civilizations are, mankind's yearning for a better life is common. As long as countries recognize that peace and development are their common pursuits, the differences should not be the cause of conflict.

All countries, big or small, should participate in the dialogue of civilizations as equals. No civilization is superior or inferior to others. It is important to respect the development paths and social systems chosen by people of different countries, repudiate the "clash of civilizations" hypothesis, oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs and resist bullying practices. To that end, countries must defend fairness and justice, and work to ensure equality and dignity for all. They should strengthen their cross-cultural communication and cooperation, reject confrontation and zero-sum games, and stay committed to peaceful coexistence.

At the national level, dialogue among civilizations requires an effective platform and communication mechanism, which is the aim of the ongoing meeting in Beijing. Only by turning the dialogue among civilizations from vision into concrete actions in the form of projects and mechanisms can it promote shared development and greater understanding among peoples.

There is an ever-pressing need for civilizations to transcend estrangement, China will therefore continue supporting the work of the Ancient Civilizations Forum, a platform for dialogue and cooperation among countries considered to be cradles of civilization. The forum was initiated by China and Greece in 2017. China is also considering providing funding to the UN Alliance of Civilizations and hosting its global forum.

Inter-civilization exchanges are driving forces for human progress. The international community needs to encourage the flow of ideas, technologies and personnel, and keep pushing the frontiers of human knowledge. Under the principle of technology for good, countries need to leverage emerging technologies to facilitate the building of a community with a shared future in which all civilizations thrive together.