Different civilizations make the world a more colorful one: Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping, making his first visit to the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris five years ago, laid out his thoughts on civilization.

"I have visited many places around the world. During my trips, I try to learn as much as I can about the various civilizations in each of the five continents," said Xi Jinping.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the headquarters of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, on March 27, 2014. [File Photo: Xinhua]

Since making that speech in Paris, Xi has used various speeches to expand on the Chinese outlook toward civilization. This week, he will be opening the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) in Beijing. More than 2,000 people, including government officials from 47 countries in Asia, as well as from outside the region, will attend the conference.

What makes the Chinese top leader pay so much attention to civilization? Why did he initiate an international dialogue on civilizations? Perhaps we could find the answer from some of the speeches Xi Jinping has made through the years.

--- "There are more than 200 countries and regions, over 2,500 ethnic groups and multiple religions in our world. Different histories, national conditions, ethnic 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 devoid 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."

--- "History tells us that only through exchanges and mutual learning can a civilization be filled with vitality. If all civilizations can uphold inclusiveness, the so-called "clash of civilizations" will be out of the question and the harmony of civilizations will become reality."

--- "Civilizations have become richer and more colorful with exchanges and mutual learning. Such exchanges and mutual learning form an important drive for human progress and global peace and development."

--- "The Chinese civilization, though born on the soil of China, has come to its present form through constant exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations."

--- "Today, we live in a world with different cultures, ethnic groups, skin colors, religions and social systems, and the people of various countries have become members of an intimate community of shared destiny."

--- "We need to encourage different civilizations to respect each other and live together in harmony while promoting their exchanges and mutual learning as a bridge of friendship among peoples, a driving force behind human society, and a strong bond for world peace. We should seek wisdom and nourishment from various civilizations to provide support and consolation for people's mind, and work together to tackle the challenges facing mankind."

--- "China proposes that a conference of dialogue among Asian civilizations be held to provide a platform upon which to enhance interactions among the youth, civic groups, local communities and the media and to form a network of think-tank cooperation, so as to add to Asian people's rich cultural life and contribute to more vibrant regional cooperation and development."