In accordance with its Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), China recently hosted a series of international meetings to foster dialogue among the global community about how countries can work together for a more harmonious world.
Attendees included representatives from island nations, ministers of science and technology, United Nations delegates, and professionals from the fields of engineering, education, and environmental protection. It also included political party leaders, and I was fortunate enough to be present as part of this group of attendees.
A reflection of hope
My own reflection on this experience is one of hope. It was inspiring to see influential figures working deeply toward building a sustainable and just planet. The process may be long, but progress is being made—and that should give us hope for all humanity.
Delegates from around the globe were invited to explore various cultural and historical sites in China. My tour group visited Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. Prior to this visit, I had a somewhat mystical, almost mythical, image of Confucius. In reality, he was a philosopher who offered clear guidance on living a purposeful life by caring for others. Today, this message is once again being emphasized in Chinese culture as a moral compass for society.
While in Qufu, we attended the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, where acceptance of diversity emerged as a central theme. After all, humans are communal beings—we thrive when we live in peace, provide for our families, and care for one another.
Some may see China’s attempts at building global harmony as impossible, but history teaches us that the impossible can indeed be made possible.
Global Initiatives for a Shared Future
China has put forward three major global initiatives:
- Global Civilization Initiative (GCI)—Promotes respect for cultural diversity, shared human values, and dialogue among civilizations.
- Global Development Initiative (GDI)—Focuses on accelerating the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, targeting poverty reduction, food security, climate action, and inclusive growth.
- Global Security Initiative (GSI)—Advocates for cooperation and dialogue over confrontation, addressing both traditional and emerging security threats.
At their core, these initiatives acknowledge a universal truth: People everywhere aspire to live in a just society where their basic needs—education, healthcare, shelter, food, and peace—are met.
The question remains: how do we achieve this? While the vision may seem idealistic, China is taking up the challenge, seeking to unite the world through mutual respect and cooperation.
The Global Civilization Initiative emphasizes:
- Respect for the diversity of civilizations.
- Promotion of shared values such as peace, justice, democracy, and freedom.
- Cultural exchange and mutual learning.
- People-to-people cooperation across borders.
These ideas were echoed by President Xi Jinping, who also leads the Communist Party of China, in his keynote speech at the 2023 CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting. He called for tolerance, coexistence, and mutual learning, stressing that modernization is not a one-size-fits-all process and must reflect each nation’s unique conditions and values.
Forum participants explored ways to use science and technology to solve pressing global challenges. Examples included removing excess carbon from ocean water to protect marine life, developing personalized education models that match individual learning styles, and preserving cultural relics to deepen our understanding of human history. These initiatives aim not only to protect our planet but also to strengthen our shared humanity.
Beyond politics: A cultural and ethical vision
The GCI, GDI, and GSI are not simply policy proposals; they are philosophical calls for a transformation in how nations relate to each other. They encourage us to shed biases, embrace diversity, and trust in collective wisdom. For China, these initiatives reflect the belief that true peace at home depends on peace in the wider world.
The recent Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, attended by over 700 guests from 140 countries, reinforced this vision. The adopted Beijing Declaration underscored the importance of cultural diversity, mutual learning, and people-to-people exchanges in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
In Qufu, I was reminded of Confucius’s timeless message: A life of purpose comes from caring for others. The GCI and related initiatives are an attempt to bring this philosophy to the world stage—to create a future where different civilizations learn from one another, respect each other, and work together to tackle global challenges.
The road to such a world will not be easy, but as history has shown, what once seemed impossible can become reality. The seeds of understanding, once planted, can grow into lasting peace.
As with all op-eds published by People’s World, the views reflected here are those of the author.
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