Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee
And Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China
At the Event to Celebrate
The International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations

June 10, 2025

Distinguished Guests,
Friends,

June 10, 2025 is the first International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations of the United Nations. I am delighted to celebrate this special day together with friends all over the world.

In today’s world, there are more than 200 countries and regions and over 2,500 nations. Human endeavors in production and life have nurtured many splendid civilizations that complement and inspire each other. They have made our global village diverse, colorful and vibrant, and our entire human society an indivisible community with a shared future. In the face of the immense global impact from transformations unseen in a century, the value of civilizations has taken on an unprecedented significance, interactions among civilizations are of vital importance, and it is prime time to promote dialogue among civilizations.

Last year, with the unanimous support of all member states, the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution initiated by China and other 82 countries, which declares June 10 the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations. This echoes the common aspiration of people from all countries for promoting dialogue among civilizations and progress of humanity.

—Dialogue among civilizations is a bond of peace. On the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the U.N., peace remains the common pursuit of all people around the world. Dialogue among civilizations helps bridge divides and eliminate prejudice, which will reinforce the basis for mutual trust and safeguard common security.

—Dialogue among civilizations is a driver for development. In history, the ancient Silk Road connected the Eastern and Western civilizations and contributed to the development of human society. Today, in the age of globalization, dialogue among civilizations enables the exchange of minds and the sharing of technology, which will facilitate countries around the world in their pursuit of common development and global modernization.

—Dialogue among civilizations is a bridge of friendship. History proves eloquently that openness enhances mutual understanding and exchange deepens mutual trust. Dialogue among civilizations enables us to transcend differences and establish empathy, which will help people of all countries to learn more about each other, build closer bonds, and prosper together.

Friends,

The Chinese civilization took root and flourished in the soil of China. Over the long course of history, it has developed the defining features of continuity, creativity, unity, inclusiveness and peacefulness.

In 2023, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forth the Global Civilization Initiative, which calls for upholding the common values of humanity, emphasizing both heritage and innovation and strengthening international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. This initiative attests to China’s efforts to facilitate dialogue among civilizations. As the world comes to a historic crossroads, China stands for advancing dialogue among civilizations in the following three aspects.

First, upholding equality among civilizations. No civilization is superior to others. It is important to respect the development paths and social systems chosen by people of different countries independently, repudiate clash of civilizations, oppose interference into others’ internal affairs and resist unilateral bullying practices. We must defend fairness and justice and work to ensure equality and dignity for all. We should stand by true multilateralism, and support the U.N. in playing an instrumental role in dialogue among civilizations. We should aim for cooperation and mutual benefit, reject confrontation and zero-sum games, and stay committed to peaceful coexistence among civilizations.

Second, promoting exchanges among civilizations. It is important for countries to step up exchanges and mutual learning, and draw inspirations from dialogue among civilizations to address global challenges and explore paths toward global modernization. China is giving positive consideration to hosting the Global Forum of the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations in 2028, and to providing funding to the U.N. body designated to promote inter-civilizational dialogue. We will continue supporting the work of mechanisms such as the Ancient Civilizations Forum with a view to enhancing the platform for dialogue among civilizations around the world.

Third, advancing the progress of civilizations. The international community needs to encourage the normal flow of ideas, technologies and personnel, and keep pushing the frontiers of human knowledge. Under the principle of technology for good, we need to leverage emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to facilitate the continuation and innovation of civilizations, keep increasing our common material and cultural abundance and build a community with a shared future where all civilizations thrive together.

Friends,

Humanity has only one Earth and only one shared future. Let our dialogues play a harmonious symphony and raise the sails on the voyage toward an even better future of human civilizations.

Thank you.