Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, friends,
Welcome to the event today to celebrate the second International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. On behalf of the Permanent Mission of China, I extend our sincere appreciation to the United Nations Office at Vienna and the Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna for their support to this event.
Exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations serve as a vital driving force for the progress of human civilization and the peace and development of the world. Currently, the international landscape is marked by changes and turbulence. The UN and its member states find it more urgent than ever to ensure that cultural exchanges transcends estrangement, mutual learning transcends conflict, and coexistence transcends feelings of superiority.
President Xi Jinping has pointed out that civilizations are diverse, civilizations are equal, and civilizations are inclusive. He put forward the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), advocating for respecting the diversity of world civilizations, promoting the common values of humanity, valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
Over the three years since the initiative was proposed, it has been translated from a grand vision into vibrant practices. It promoted the establishment of the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, and helped foster broad consensus on deepening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, injecting strong new momentum into the practice of true multilateralism and the response to global challenges.
Dialogue among civilizations is a vivid embodiment of multilateralism. President Xi Jinping’s vision of civilization, featuring equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, is highly consistent with multilateralism. Given the current circumstances, advancing dialogue among civilizations is of irreplaceable significance for upholding the authority of the UN, strengthening the role of the UN, advancing the UN80 reform, and improving global governance.
Dialogue among civilizations is indispensable to building a community with a shared future for humanity. Different civilizations converge and coexist and we share indeed a common future. Material abundance, peace and tranquility, cultural enrichment and sound governance are the shared aspirations of humanity. This aligns with the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping on Global development, security, civilization exchange, and governance.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today’s event also marks the launch of the Chinese Painting Exhibition of National Flowers entitled “Blossoms of Civilizations – Fragrance Shared Across the World”. Using traditional Chinese ink painting techniques, the exhibition meticulously depicts the national flowers of all 193 UN Member States. As the Chinese saying goes, “A single flower does not make spring, while hundreds of flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden. ” The blooming of 193 national flowers stands as a powerful testament to President Xi Jinping’s profound assertion: “Civilizations only differ from one another in color, and no civilization is superior to others.”
The exhibition will be on display in M Building until 18th June and will subsequently be shown at the University of Vienna. I believe that through this exhibition, you can get deeper appreciation of the unique charm where traditional Chinese culture and world civilizations shine in mutual splendor.
Vienna is an important hub of multilateral diplomacy and a broad stage for promoting dialogue among civilizations. The Permanent Mission of China is committed to continuing working with all parties to practice true multilateralism, to jointly defend the equality of civilizations, promote exchanges among civilizations, and advance the progress of civilizations. Together, let’s join hands to tackle global challenges, and map out a brighter future where a grand garden of world civilizations flourishes in harmony and mutual prosperity!
Thank you.