2019年CRI President Xi calls for boosting diversity of Asian civilization though dialogues

 

A major conference on Asian civilization is set to kick off in Beijing this week.

The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, proposed by Chinese president Xi Jinping five years ago, will focus on cultural diversity, exchanges and mutual¹ learning.

During his first visit to the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris five years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping shared his thoughts on civilization which focuses on diversity, equality and inclusiveness.

" We need a mind that is broader than the sky as we approach different civilizations. Civilizations are like water, moistening everything silently. We should encourage different civilizations to respect each other and live in harmony, so that exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations will become a bridge promoting friendship between people around the world, an engine driving progress of human society, and a bond cementing world peace."

In his speech at the UN headquarters in 2017, the Chinese president noted² that exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations will help address differences and defuse conflicts.

"Different histories, national conditions, ethnic³ groups and customs give birth to different civilizations and make the world a colorful one. All human civilizations are equal in terms of value. They all have their respective strengths and shortcomings. There is no perfect civilization in the world. Nor is there a civilization that is devoid⁴ of any merit. No one civilization can be judged superior to another. Diversity of civilizations should not be a source of global conflict; rather, it should be an engine driving the advance of human civilizations."

President Xi Jinping's advocacy of civilization diversity appeared to resonate with the then-head of UNESCO, Irina Bokova.

"I was very proud to welcome president Xi Jinping five years ago when he outlined not only his vision on for the Chinese dream, belt and road initiative and also toward the supports for the world and mentioning how the dialogue of civilization. I think it's a powerful message to the world that we are connected. And we see the importance of interacting together."

Asia accounts for 30 percent of the world's total land area and around 60 percent of its population.

It is the central hub of some of the world's oldest civilizations, including China, India and Mesopotamia - today's modern Iraq.

Last year, the continent contributed to over one-third of the world's GDP.

Xu Lin is one of the organizers of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.

"We hope by hosting such an event to further promote the achievements of human civilization that created by people from all around the world. We hope to help people from different cultures and civilizations to exchange and learn from each other, thus giving impetus⁵ to the advance of human civilizations and building the community of a shared future ."

The event will bring together young people, academics and government officials from nearly 50 countries across Asia and other continents.

Experts are expected to discuss issues of regional and global significance, while young artists, movie lovers and foodies can enjoy themselves in the Asian Cultural Carnival⁶ on the sidelines of the conference.

1 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

2 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 devoid   

adj.全无的，缺乏的

参考例句：

• He is completely devoid of humour.他十分缺乏幽默。
• The house is totally devoid of furniture.这所房子里什么家具都没有。

5 impetus   

n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力

参考例句：

• This is the primary impetus behind the economic recovery.这是促使经济复苏的主要动力。
• Her speech gave an impetus to my ideas.她的讲话激发了我的思绪。

6 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。