The Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China, Han Zheng, has called for deeper understanding and mutual respect among cultures and civilisations to foster global peace and cooperation.
He made the remarks on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 4th Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilisations, held in Dunhuang, Gansu Province. The three-day event, themed “Carrying Forward the Spirit of the Silk Road and Gathering Momentum for the Implementation of the Global Civilisation Initiative”, was organised by the Chinese Association for International Understanding and the Gansu provincial government.
This morning, I attended the opening session of the Fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations. In his remarks, His Excellency Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, emphasized the importance of respecting the cultural diversity of… pic.twitter.com/XJrLcT0Yw5
— C. H. MUKUNGUNUGWA (@CMukungunugwa) May 30, 2025
Han stressed that respect among civilisations forms the foundation of a harmonious world. He noted that through genuine dialogue and mutual learning, humanity can address pressing challenges such as climate change and public health crises.
Highlighting the importance of inclusiveness, he stated that every civilisation has unique contributions and urged nations to seek common ground in pursuit of shared prosperity.
Describing Dunhuang as a historic symbol of cultural and religious convergence along the Silk Road, Han praised its legacy of peace, cooperation, and mutual benefit as a model for modern intercultural engagement.
Quoting President Xi Jinping’s 2023 Global Civilisation Initiative, Han outlined four key principles to promote dialogue among civilisations: mutual respect and recognition of cultural uniqueness; inclusive communication to address global issues; the balance of continuity and innovation in cultural development; and sincere engagement to foster international friendship.
Han reaffirmed China’s dedication to promoting civilisational dialogue and noted global support for the establishment of an international day to celebrate such exchanges.
The event drew around 400 participants, including global political leaders, scholars, heads of international organisations, and Chinese government officials. Cultural performances and exhibitions showcasing Dunhuang’s historical heritage formed part of the ceremony.
