Initiative hailed as vehicle for global stability

The Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping provides an important framework for improving understanding among the peoples of the world, with great respect paid to cultural diversity and the promotion of peace and development, according to Egyptian and Chinese experts.

Xu Min, China's consul general in Alexandria, said the initiative is "an important international public good" that, while provided by China, "belongs to the world".

"The Global Civilization Initiative is founded on the belief that the diversity of civilizations is a source of strength for humanity, and that dialogue and mutual learning are the path toward building a community with a shared future marked by peace and prosperity," she said.

The initiative advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations and different development paths while encouraging dialogue and exchanges based on the principles of equality, inclusiveness and mutual learning, she said. Such an approach, she said, helps overcome cultural barriers, promotes common progress among peoples, and advances shared goals of peace, development, justice and fairness.

Mohamed El-Soudany, vice-dean of the Faculty of Arts at Alexandria University, said the Global Civilization Initiative carries a unique humanitarian vision that encourages mutual learning and strengthens collaboration among civilizations.

"Egyptian-Chinese relations have never been limited to political or economic cooperation. They have always been rooted in civilizational dialogue and cultural exchange, from the ancient Silk Road to the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

Sahar Abdel Aziz, a professor of Islamic history and civilization at Alexandria University, points to the strong convergence of the vision shared by the two nations, highlighting how leaders of both countries view diverse civilizations as the foundation for peace and mutual understanding.

According to Aziz, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has repeatedly stressed, at international events including the World Youth Forum and the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the importance of interaction among civilizations and replacing confrontation with dialogue, coexistence and collaboration. These principles closely align with the values promoted by the Global Civilization Initiative, including respect for cultural diversity, equality among civilizations, peace, development, justice and tolerance, she said.

Ahmed Hamdy, executive director of the International Relations Office at Alexandria University, said the initiative offers a practical vision for promoting global stability, and that the United Nations adopted a resolution put forward by China and supported by more than 80 countries, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

"The UN's recognition of the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations reflects the growing international consensus that cultural dialogue has become essential for achieving peace and shared development," he said.

The UN resolution recognizes the achievements of all civilizations as the common heritage of humanity, and China's traditional philosophy of "harmony without uniformity" provides an important model for peaceful coexistence among civilizations, Hamdy said.

Ahmed Mansour, director of the Calligraphy Studies Center at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, said Egyptian and Chinese civilizations, among the world's oldest continuous civilizations, have been connected since ancient times through the Silk Road, with the Belt and Road Initiative opening new horizons for cultural and strategic collaboration.

"What unites Egypt and China is not only their rich history, but also their shared belief that civilization can serve as a bridge for communication, development and peace," Mansour said. This shared heritage provides a solid foundation for expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he added.

The author is a freelancer for China Daily.