Collaboration for A New Civilization That Will Transcend Time and Space*

Collaboration for A New Civilization That Will Transcend Time and Space* To meet our common challenges and create a better future for all, we look to culture and civilization to play their role, which is as important as the role played by economy, science and technology. The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations has convened to create a new platform for civilizations in Asia and beyond to engage in dialogue and exchanges on an equal footing to facilitate mutual learning.

Editor’s Note: The Conference on Dialogue around the world, countries need to unite and re-

of Asian Civilizations began in Beijing on May 15, spond to these adversities.

2019. Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the To meet our common challenges and create

opening ceremony under the theme of Deepening a better future for all, we look to culture and civi-

Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civili- lization to play their role, which is as important as

zations for an Asian Community With a Shared the role played by economy, science and technol-

Future, which he used to address the special place ogy. The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civi-

that Asian civilizations have in the annals of world lizations has convened to create a new platform

civilizations. The following is an edited excerpt of for civilizations in Asia and beyond to engage in

his speech:** dialogue and exchanges on an equal footing to fa-

cilitate mutual learning.

Today, the world moves ever closer towards Asia is one of the earliest human settlements

greater multi-polarity, economic globalization in the world, which makes it an important cradle

and cultural diversity, becoming increasingly of human history. This vast and beautiful conti-

information orientated in the process. This pro- nent covers a third of the earth’s land mass and

gress suggests promising prospects for the future. has two-thirds of the world's population. It has

However, in the face of mounting instabilities more than 1,000 ethnic groups living in 47 coun-

and uncertainties currently faced by many people tries.

* The text is titled by BRIQ.

** The text is retrieved from http://www.bjreview.com/Beijing_Review_and_Kings_College_London_Joint_Translation_Proje-

ct/2019/201906/t20190626_800171719.html

How to cite: Xi, J. (2021). Collaboration for a new civilization that will transcend time and space. Belt & Road Initiative Quarterly, 2(4), 20-23.

President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, May 15, 2019. (Xinhua, 2019Xinhua (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)

As we review our past and look beyond Asia, act with each other in a way that transcends na-

we should have greater confidence in our civili- tional boundaries, time and space, as well as the

zations. We may build on the rich heritage of our difference between civilizations. We should work

forefathers, stay engaged with other civilizations together and jointly safeguard peace, something

and increase mutual learning. By doing so, we that is even more precious than gold.

will add new glory to Asian civilizations. We Asian people hope to see common prosper-

ity in Asia. Economic growth sustains a civilization, Aspirations of Asian People and prosperity underpins the progress of a nation.

We Asian countries are closely connected However, in some parts of Asia, people, women and

and share a natural bond of affinity because of our children in particular, still suffer from the plight of

shared experience of the past and our shared an- poverty, hunger and disease. This must change. We

ticipation of what the future holds for us. Going Asian people long for decent lives free of poverty.

forward, we need to see where the world is going, We hope that countries will collaborate in promot-

ride on the trend of the times and turn our peo- ing economic globalization and make it more open,

ple’s longing for a better life into reality. balanced and beneficial to anyone regardless of their

We Asian people hope to see peace and sta- background. Doing so will enable us to eradicate

bility across Asia. Upholding peace is the respon- poverty and backwardness that still plague people

sibility of every country. When strife breaks out in some countries. It will make life carefree for our

in the forms of conflict or war, economic growth, children and bring happiness to all families.

social stability and mutual exchanges will break We Asian people hope to see an open and

down with it. We the people of Asian countries better-connected Asia. Asia’s rapid development

wish to live and work in content and security free over the past decades shows that it is important

from fear. We hope that all countries will respect to open one’s door to the outside world and ride

and trust each other, live in harmony, and inter- on the trend of global economic development.

If countries choose to close their doors and hide

behind them, human civilizations would be cut Each civilization is the crystallization of

off from each other and lose all vitality. We Asian human creation, and each is beautiful

people hope that all countries will reject self-ex- in its own way. Together we can make

clusion, embrace integration, uphold openness the garden of world civilizations

and promote policy, infrastructure, trade, finan- colorful and vibrant.

cial and people-to-people connectivity. This way, Furthermore, we need to embrace the beauty we can jointly foster a community with a shared of each civilization and of diversity in the global future for both us Asians and all humanity. community. Each civilization is the crystalliza-

Exchanges and Mutual Learning of tion of human creation, and each is beautiful in its

Civilizations own way. The aspiration for all that is beautiful is

a common pursuit of humanity that nothing can Diversity spurs interaction among civilihold back. Civilizations don’t have to clash with zations, which in turn promotes mutual learnone another; we need eyes that can see beauty in all ing and their further development. We need to nations in the world. We should keep our own civpromote exchanges and mutual learning among

countries, nations and cultures around the world, ilizations dynamic and create conditions for other

and strengthen popular support for jointly build- civilizations to flourish. Together we can make the

ing a community with a shared future not only for garden of world civilizations colorful and vibrant.

Asians but for all people. We also need to stay open and inclusive and

To realize this goal, we need to respect each draw on each other’s strengths. All living organ-

other and treat one another as equals. All civili- isms in the human body must renew themselves

zations are rooted in their unique cultural envi- through metabolism; otherwise, life would come

ronment. Each embodies the wisdom and vision to an end. The same is true for civilizations. Long-

of a country or nation, and each is valuable for term self-isolation will cause a civilization to de-

being uniquely its own. Civilizations vary from cline, while exchanges and mutual learning will

each other in this way, just as individuals differ sustain its development. A civilization can flourish

from each other in skin color and language, but only through exchanges and mutual learning with

this does not imply a cultural superiority. The other civilizations, which is conducted in a recipro-

thought that one’s own race and civilization are cal, equal-footed, diversified and multi-dimension-

superior and the inclination to remold or replace al manner. They should in no way be coercive, im-

other civilizations are just stupid. To act out a su- posing, one-dimensional or one-way. We need to

periority complex would only bring catastrophic be broad-minded and strive to remove all barriers

consequences. If human civilizations are reduced to cultural exchanges. We need to be inclusive and

to only one single color or one single model, the always seek nourishment from other civilizations

world would become a stereotype and too dull a to promote the common development of Asian civ-

place to live in. What we need is to respect each ilizations through exchanges and mutual learning.

other as equals and say no to hubris and preju- Lastly, we need to advance with the times and

dice. We need to deepen understanding of the explore new ground in development. For a civili-

difference between one’s own civilization and zation to endure, efforts must be made to keep it

others’, and work to promote interaction, dia- alive and build on its heritage from one generation

logue and harmony among civilizations. to the next.

We need to embrace the beauty of each civilization and of diversity in the global community. (CGTN, 2019CGTN (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.)

More importantly, a civilization needs to adapt Chinese civilization, as an inclusive and

itself to the changing times and break new ground. integrated whole, has become what it is today

World history teaches us that taking advantage of through constant interactions with other civi-

the opportunities available and advancing with the lizations. It has been enriched by the introduc-

times is fundamental to development. We need to tion of Buddhism and the confluence of Islam

come up with new ideas to add impetus and in- and Confucianism, and by the introduction of

spiration to the development of our civilizations. Western learning, the launch of the New Culture

With these efforts, we will deliver achievements Movement and the introduction of Marxism and

for our civilizations to transcend time and space socialism in modern times. All-round opening

and have a lasting appeal. up of the country, starting with the reform and

Inclusive Chinese Culture opening-up program, has added to its vitality to-

Being an inseparable part of the Asian com- day. Amity and good neighborliness is the princi-

munity, Chinese civilization has, since its early ple guiding our interactions with other countries;

days, evolved and grown by drawing on its past and to deliver prosperity and security to the peo-

achievements, exploring new ground and adapt- ple is the overarching goal, to keep pace with the

ing to changes. It represents the profound pursuit times through reform and innovation the abiding

of the Chinese nation and provides a rich source commitment, and to achieve harmony between

of strength for its lasting development. Chinese man and nature the underlying philosophy.

inventions such as paper-making, gunpowder, China today is more than the country itself;

printing and the compass as well as China’s astro- it is very much a part of Asia and the world. In

nomical knowledge, calendar system, philosophy the time to come, China will open its arms wider

and the people-centered doctrine have all had a to embrace the world and contribute the dynamic

global impact and propelled the development of achievements of Chinese civilization to a better

human civilizations. future for the whole world.