logo
Beijing Declaration on civilisational diversity is a vision for peace

Beijing Declaration on civilisational diversity is a vision for peace

Beijing's convening of a dialogue on global civilisations comes at a special time. Themed 'Safeguarding the diversity of human civilisations for world peace and development', the two-day meeting of ministers and representatives from about 140 countries and regions is happening in a year in which the world marks 80 years since the end of the second world war and the founding of the United Nations.
Participants at the dialogue adopted a Beijing Declaration and agreed on a list of 110 cooperation projects.
While the global community seeks lasting peace and sustainable development, conflicts and confrontations continue to intensify. This is fundamentally the result of certain countries still following the law of the jungle and harbouring a Cold War mentality.
The Chinese people share a destiny with the peoples of the Global South. We believe development should not be monopolised by a handful of countries, and security should not be exclusive to one country while making other countries insecure.
President Xi Jinping has put forward China's
Global Development Initiative
Global Security Initiative and
Global Civilisation Initiative for a vision of shared development, security and diversity in the world. Only with shared development and security can we achieve sustainable development and lasting peace. But to have that, we need a fundamental change in our thinking about civilisations.
We should abandon the Hobbesian fear of falling prey in a world ruled by brute force. Mankind should not live like fearful wolves in a jungle; it only leads to a mentality of civilisational superiority and theories of a
clash of civilisations . We want to replace these with cross-civilisational dialogues to recognise and affirm the diversity of civilisations.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

South Korea's Lee retracts education minister nomination over plagiarism row
South Korea's Lee retracts education minister nomination over plagiarism row

South China Morning Post

timean hour ago

  • South China Morning Post

South Korea's Lee retracts education minister nomination over plagiarism row

South Korean president Lee Jae-myung has withdrawn his nomination of Lee Jin-sook for education minister, the presidential office said Sunday, amid allegations of thesis plagiarism and mounting concerns over her fitness to lead Korea's public education system. In contrast, the presidential office signalled that gender equality minister nominee Kang Sun-woo, who has also faced public scrutiny over a series of workplace abuse allegations, would be appointed as planned. 'After comprehensive reviews and consultations with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties, President Lee has decided to withdraw the nomination of Lee Jin-sook,' presidential secretary for political affairs Woo Sang-ho said during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul. 'We urge the National Assembly to respect the president's decision and take prompt follow-up measures.' The former president of Chungnam National University had faced criticism over allegations that she plagiarised a former student's thesis. However, she denied the claim, saying media reports were based on a misunderstanding of the academic context. She was also under scrutiny over suspected legal violations in the process of sending her daughter to study abroad. Citing these issues, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) strongly denounced her as unfit for the ministerial post.

New solutions to Hong Kong's old traffic problems are much needed
New solutions to Hong Kong's old traffic problems are much needed

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

New solutions to Hong Kong's old traffic problems are much needed

Traffic congestion in Hong Kong is not as bad as in many other cities. However, the slow movement of people and goods has been bad enough to steadily 'erode the environment, sustainability, quality of life and competitiveness', according to a 2014 government study. More than two decades of work to expand infrastructure and reduce the number of private cars have not tamed Hong Kong's traffic troubles, so it is good that authorities and lawmakers are searching for new solutions. Advertisement Progressive fees and a cap on how long vehicles can occupy metered parking spaces are among the ideas being put forward. The suggestions followed a slew of recent government proposals to adjust traffic-related charges, including doubling rates at car parks. Officials have also suggested raising tolls at the Aberdeen Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnels, changes to the licence fee structure and amounts for electric private cars, adjustments to fixed penalties for traffic offences and doubling parking meter charges. Hong Kong had around 20,000 metered parking spaces citywide as of the end of 2024. Abuse of the devices is persistent. Some drivers occupy spots for extended periods – sometimes for days – by continuously feeding meters. Others circle around searching for the relatively cheap metered spots, worsening traffic congestion. If meter fees increase, it would be from HK$2 (25 US cents) to HK$4 per 15 minutes. Lawmakers have suggested restricting the number of hours a car can park in the same spot or a progressive system, so longer stays incur higher fees. Others have called for registering licence plates or even implementing congestion charges or electronic road pricing. Since the 1980s, there have been several trials of such fees on motorists in central areas during rush hour. Advertisement Approaches so far have been piecemeal and lacked resolve. Parking fee increases are long overdue and would be the first since 1994. Additional revenue could be timely support for the city as it struggles with a budget deficit and to reinvigorate the economy.

Sean Stein on why US businesses are walking a tightrope to stay in China
Sean Stein on why US businesses are walking a tightrope to stay in China

South China Morning Post

time3 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Sean Stein on why US businesses are walking a tightrope to stay in China

Sean Stein is president of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), a Washington-based non-profit organisation that promotes trade between the world's two largest economies. The council represents more than 270 American companies doing business in China. He most recently served as board chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and is chair emeritus of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. Before that, he served for nearly three decades as a diplomat, including as US Consul General in Shenyang and Shanghai. This interview first appeared in SCMP Plus . For other interviews in the Open Questions series, click here It has been broadly assumed the US and China will extend the 90-day pause on tariff increases they agreed to after talks in Geneva by another 90 days. What trade deals could we see by November? What do American companies with business in China expect? How will their voices be heard in Washington? That is correct – it is almost inevitable that the 90-day pause gets extended, particularly since the two sides have announced that there is a framework deal. The alternative is unthinkable. It would mean going back to pre-Geneva, triple-digit tariffs, something neither side wants. Looking at the potential for a broader deal, now that China has added two fentanyl precursors to its list of restricted chemicals, there is some expectation that the US may lower the 20 per cent tariff it put in place due to fentanyl. When that happens, China is expected to lower some of its retaliatory tariffs. This could be a path back toward a more normal trade relationship, but so far, we have not seen the US take steps to reciprocate China's gesture. What the business community is worried about is that virtually all the discussion between the countries has been about tariffs.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store