Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 10 June 2025, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, delivered a video message titled “Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations for a Better World” at an event marking the first United Nations International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.

Wang Yi highlighted that the world’s civilizations enrich and inspire one another. The global community, he said, is an indivisible collective with a shared future—an interconnected and vibrant “global village.” Amid the profound and unprecedented transformations the world is undergoing, he stressed that civilizational exchange has become more crucial than ever, making this moment an opportune time to advance intercultural dialogue.

He described dialogue among civilizations as a bridge for peace, a driver of development, and a channel for friendship. The establishment of the UN International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations reflects the shared aspirations of all nations to foster cultural dialogue and human progress—a resolution that received unanimous support from UN member states.

Wang Yi emphasized that Chinese President Xi Jinping had proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, which calls for the promotion of shared human values, the integration of heritage and innovation, and the strengthening of international cultural exchanges and cooperation. This initiative exemplifies China’s commitment to advancing global civilizational dialogue.

He outlined three key directions for promoting dialogue among civilizations:

Upholding Civilizational Equality

Wang Yi stressed the importance of respecting each nation’s independently chosen development paths and social systems. He called for the rejection of the "clash of civilizations" narrative, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and unilateral pressure. The international community, he said, must uphold fairness and justice, ensure equality and dignity for all, and support genuine multilateralism with the UN playing a central role in intercultural dialogue. Civilizations should coexist peacefully and pursue cooperation and mutual benefit rather than confrontation and zero-sum competition.

Fostering Civilizational Exchange

He called for greater cultural exchange and mutual learning, emphasizing that inspiration drawn from dialogue is vital for addressing global challenges and advancing global modernization. China supports hosting a UN Alliance of Civilizations Global Forum in 2028 and remains committed to mechanisms like the Forum of Ancient Civilizations to expand global platforms for intercultural engagement.

Advancing Civilizational Progress

Wang Yi encouraged the free flow of ideas, technologies, and talent to expand the frontiers of human knowledge. He advocated for the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to preserve and rejuvenate cultural traditions, improve material and cultural wellbeing, and build a shared future where all civilizations thrive together.

The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution establishing the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations during its 78th session in 2024, following a proposal by China and 82 co-sponsoring countries. The Day will be observed annually on 10 June.