On April 28, 2023, H.E. Lin Xianjiang, Chinese Ambassador to Dominica published a signed article entitled "Implementing the Global Civilization Initiative and Deepening China-Dominica Exchange and Mutual Learning" on the Chronicle Newspaper, introducing the Global Civilization Initiative.
Following is the full text of the article：
On March 15, I accompanied then Acting Prime Minister Denise Charles, Minister of Tourism, to attend the Communist Partyof China (CPC)in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting online, listening to the keynote speech entitled Join Hands on the Path Towards Modernization delivered by H.E. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the People’s Republic of China, and witnessing the official launch of the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
The GCI is yet another important public good China has shared with the world in the new era. We have seen that in today’s world, multiple challenges and crises are intertwined. The global economic recovery remains sluggish, the development gap between the North and South is widening, the ecological environment is deteriorating, and the Cold War mentality is lingering. Humanity’s modernization process has once again reached a crossroads in history. Faced with difficulties, China has proposed the Global Civilization Initiative on the basis of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, providing another effective solution to address the current challenges facing the world.
We believe that security is the prerequisite for development, development is the guarantee for security, and civilization is the soil for development and security. All civilizations created by human society are splendid. They are where each country's modernization drive draws its strength and where its unique feature comes from. They, transcending time and space, have jointly made important contribution to humanity’s modernization process. A single flower does not make a spring. We should promote the inclusive coexistence, exchange and mutual learning of different civilizations, and make diverse civilizations an inexhaustible source of driving the modernization process of human society.
We advocate respect for the diversity of civilizations, upholding the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations. We should transcend civilization barriers through exchanges, rise above civilization conflicts by mutual learning, and overcome the sense of superiority by promoting coexistence of civilizations. All civilizations are rooted in their unique cultural environment. Each embodies the wisdom and vision of a country or nation, and each is valuable for being uniquely its own.No civilization is superior over others. China believes thatdelicious soup is cooked by combining different ingredients.We need to be broad-minded and strive to remove all barriers to cultural exchanges. We need to stay inclusive and always seek nourishment from other civilizations. So that we can eliminate fears and conflicts through mutual understanding and learning, and build a new pattern of world civilization that all civilizations are inclusive and draw on each other’s strengths, thus promoting common progress.
We advocate the common values of humanity. Peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom are the common aspirations of all peoples. Countries need to keep an open mind in appreciating the perceptions of values by different civilizations, and refrain from imposing their own values or models on others and from stoking ideological confrontation. In today's world, different systems and ideologies collide deeply, but it should be recognized that peace and development are our common cause, equity and justice our common aspiration, and democracy and freedom our common pursuit.The common values shared by humanity are the foundation of the value concept recognized universally by the world’s people beyond any ideological differences, social system variations and uneven levels of development.With a strong sense of responsibility for the future of all mankind, we need to champion the common values of humanity, and respect the explorations of different peoples to turn values into reality. By doing so, the common values of humanity will be translated into the practice of individual countries to serve the interests of their own people in a concrete and realistic way.
We advocate the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations. Countries need to fully harness the relevance of their histories and cultures to the present times, and push for creative transformation and innovative development of their fine traditional cultures. The various civilizations that exist in the world today have gone through a long historical test, continuing the spiritual bloodline of different countries and nations, and becoming a powerful spiritual force that unites them. All countries and nations should shoulder the responsibility for the continuation and development of human civilization, strengthen exchanges, dialogues and mutual learning, advance with the times and take in the best of its age in order to develop itself. We need to come up with new ideas to add impetus and inspiration to the development of our civilizations. With these efforts, our outstanding history and culture will show a strong charm and vitality across time and space, beyond the country, and contribute wisdom to solving the common problems facing mankind.
We advocate robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Countries need to explore the building of a global network for inter-civilization dialogue and cooperation, enrich the contents of exchanges and expand avenues of cooperation to promote mutual understanding and friendship among people of all countries and jointly advance the progress of human civilizations. Friendship, which is derived from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. People are the best bridge for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Closer people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning, for that matter, is a sure way to eliminate estrangement and misunderstanding and promote mutual understanding among nations. Over the years, China has, in collaboration with other countries, established many platforms and channels for cooperation in education, culture, sports, health and other fields. We need to continue making great efforts to promote various forms of cooperation. Such efforts will boost exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and inject inexhaustible momentum into building a better world.
China is an ancient country with over 5000 years of glorious civilization, while Dominica also has a rich and unique civilization. Since my arrival, I have been invited multiple times to participate in cultural events in Dominica, wearing madras accessories and experiencing first-hand unique cultural charm of Dominica. I have also taken a small boat tour of the Indian River, lingered in Parrot Valley, reveling in the beauty of nature in Dominica. As the Chinese Ambassador to Dominica, I have always in my own capacity promoted mutual learning between China and Dominicaand in-depth exchanges between the two peoples. Last year, Dominica-China Friendship Association was officially established, and the Confucius Institute held a unveiling ceremony and began teaching Chinese. This year, Dominica State College has officially included Chinese language courses in its curriculum, taking a solid step forward in Chinese language education in Dominica, offering more opportunities for Dominican people to experience the charm of Chinese culture. The Sino-Dominican mutual visa exemption agreement officially entered into force last year, providing great convenience for people to people exchanges between China and Dominica. We hope that in the future, people-to-people exchanges between the two countries can be further deepened and strengthened.
Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Dominica. China is willing to work with Dominican friends to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and enhance traditional bilateral friendship,thus promoting friendly relations between the two countries to a new level!