In a speech delivered on June 10, 2025, to mark the first-ever United Nations International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and international cooperation in building a better world.
Speaking at a global event, Wang Yi—who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee—highlighted the richness and diversity of the world’s more than 2,500 nations and 200 countries and regions. He stressed that civilizations should not only coexist but also inspire and complement each other in the face of global challenges.
“This is a time of unprecedented transformation,” Wang said. “The value of civilizations has taken on new meaning, and interactions among civilizations have never been more vital.”
The UN General Assembly established June 10 as the official International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations in 2023, following a resolution initiated by China and supported by 82 other countries. The day reflects a global aspiration to promote understanding, peace, and shared progress through intercultural dialogue.
In his speech, Wang outlined three core messages:
1. Dialogue as a Bond of Peace
Wang called dialogue among civilizations a tool to “bridge divides and eliminate prejudice,” reinforcing global trust and security. He noted that, 80 years after the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations, peace remains the world’s common pursuit.
2. Dialogue as a Driver for Development
Referencing the historic Silk Road, Wang emphasized how past cooperation between East and West propelled societal advancement. Today, he said, global dialogue enables the exchange of ideas and technology, opening doors to shared development and modernization.
3. Dialogue as a Bridge of Friendship
“Openness enhances mutual understanding,” Wang stated. He urged nations to transcend differences and foster empathy to build stronger global bonds.
Wang also highlighted the unique attributes of Chinese civilization—continuity, creativity, unity, inclusiveness, and peacefulness—and reaffirmed China’s commitment to international cooperation. He pointed to the Global Civilization Initiative, introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2023, as a framework for strengthening people-to-people exchanges and innovation while upholding shared human values.
Looking forward, Wang announced that China is considering hosting the Global Forum of the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations in 2028 and may provide funding to support global dialogue initiatives. He also reiterated China’s support for platforms like the Ancient Civilizations Forum.
Wang concluded by calling on the international community to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence for the betterment of all civilizations. “Humanity has only one Earth and one shared future,” he said. “Let our dialogues play a harmonious symphony and raise the sails on the voyage toward an even better future of human civilizations.”
The event underscored a growing international consensus: that in a world of diverse cultures and increasing geopolitical complexity, dialogue remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for peace and progress.
