President Xi calls for global dialogue, cooperation among civilisations
Image: CGTN
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China is ready to work with other countries in building a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilisations.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the statement in a congratulatory letter to the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, which opened in Beijing.
He pledged that China will work with other countries to champion equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilisations, and implement the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), in a bid to provide fresh impetus for advancing human civilisations and promoting world peace and development.
"The world is, in nature, a place of diverse civilisations," Xi said in the letter. "History has shown us that exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations are essential for civilisations to flourish and human progress to be made."
In a world where transformations and turbulences are interwoven and humanity stands at a new crossroad, there is an ever-pressing need for civilisations to transcend estrangement through exchanges, and to transcend clashes through mutual learning, Xi said.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
He also expressed his hope that participating representatives would engage in in-depth exchanges to build consensus and contribute their wisdom and strength to the goal of promoting understanding and friendship among peoples, and achieving harmonious coexistence among civilisations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, said the GCI proposed by President Xi more than two years ago has received enthusiastic responses and positive echoes from the international community.
The initiative, which upholds the core principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences, is deeply rooted in China's fine traditional culture and resonates with cultural values shared by many other nations, Cai said.
Themed "Safeguarding Diversity of Human Civilizations for World Peace and Development," the meeting is co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent his message of congratulations to the event, which has attracted over 600 guests from about 140 countries and regions.
Former heads of state and government from Indonesia, Namibia, Japan and Belgium also delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.
CGTN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Turning declarations into deliverables: South Africa's BRICS 2025 Challenge
For South Africa, the BRICS 2030 horizon offers not just hope, but a promising future, writes Ayanda Holo. Image: IOL / AI By Ayanda Holo Beneath the glittering chandeliers of the Bank of China building in Johannesburg, Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng addressed a gathering of investors, policymakers, and technocrats. At his side sat South Africa's Deputy Finance Minister Dr David Masondo, a key architect of the government's economic recovery and structural reform agenda. The occasion marked the release of the Chinese Investor Survey, a moment that revealed not only the depth of Sino-South African relations but also the lingering bottlenecks that continue to hinder what could be a transformative partnership. Ambassador Wu's tone was both celebratory and cautionary. Over 200 Chinese enterprises have injected more than $11 billion into South Africa, creating jobs, taxes, and valuable industrialisation footprints. Yet, despite this progress, the Ambassador pointedly highlighted recurring frustrations: the slow and sometimes opaque processing of work visas for essential engineers and managers and the heightened security threats to Chinese nationals. These issues, he suggested, could jeopardise investor confidence unless addressed with urgency and sincerity. At the heart of his speech was a subtle but potent reference to Declaration 42 of the BRICS 2025 Strategy, which states: "We welcome the results of the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025… and look forward to the conclusion and implementation of the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2030, which will… guide cooperation on issues relating to the Multilateral Trading System, Digital Economy, International Trade, Financial Cooperation and Sustainable Development." This strategy is not just a document, but a roadmap to our future. This forward-looking blueprint aims to deepen the ties that bind BRICS nations, with South Africa poised to benefit as a regional gateway for Asia–Africa trade. But such ambitions rest precariously on domestic execution. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Visa Conundrum: When Policy Fails Practice A compelling case in point emerged from a significant $200 million investment project in the Eastern Cape, a region with great potential for economic growth. The project procured high-grade industrial equipment from Yangzhou Metal Forming Machine Tool Co. The firm dispatched three highly skilled engineers to oversee installation and training. Despite submitting complete documentation to VFS Global, including verified invitation letters from their South African host, the engineers were denied work visas for several months. This delay was not only an administrative embarrassment but also a tangible blow to investor confidence. The engineers were essential to commissioning a production line that was central to the project's ROI timeline. The months-long delay undermined the "open the way" vision of Operation Vulindlela, a flagship reform programme by the South African Presidency and Treasury designed to reduce red tape for investors. Is Operation Vulindlela truly living up to its name? According to a recent SA Government News release dated March 2025, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced improvements to fast-track visa applications for investors and critical skills workers. A new "Trusted Employer Scheme" was also piloted with large multinationals and BRICS-partner firms in mind. Yet the Eastern Cape incident underscores a gap between policy and implementation, a chasm where projects stall, costs rise, and goodwill wanes. From Zero-Tariffs to Zero-Tolerance on Inefficiency China's recent announcement to provide zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries via the Framework Agreement on Economic Partnership for Shared Development is a tectonic shift in global trade patterns. It gives African manufacturers and agricultural producers unprecedented access to the world's second-largest economy. And South Africa, with its mature logistics, industrial base, and financial institutions, is uniquely positioned to lead this integration. But it must not allow procedural inertia to squander strategic advantages. This is particularly critical in sectors like automotive components, green energy infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing, where Chinese investment has surged. Each of these sectors requires the temporary importation of technical personnel, often on tight deadlines to transfer knowledge and integrate systems. Ambassador Wu's call for smoother visa processes is therefore not a favour to China, but a necessary step if South Africa is serious about its BRICS role. It's not just about accommodating Chinese investors, but about creating an environment where all BRICS nations can thrive, boosting South Africa's economy and global influence. A Catalogue of Cooperation It is worth reminding readers of the many bilateral and multilateral agreements that underpin this evolving relationship. These include: The China-South Africa Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (2010).The FOCAC Beijing Action Plan 2019–2025 The Belt and Road MOU, signed in 2015, focuses on infrastructure Investment Treaties and Double Taxation Agreements, protecting investor rights The Annual SA-China High-Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism, encouraging cultural, academic, and tech innovation links. Each of these frameworks, including the 2025 BRICS Economic Strategy, calls for the removal of administrative and logistical barriers that impede the flow of capital, of people, of ideas. What Must Change? If Pretoria is to maintain credibility within BRICS and its reform agenda, several actions are urgent: Mandate real-time escalation channels for work visa cases tied to investment projects over R50 and enforce the Trusted Employer Scheme beyond pilot status. Include a BRICS Investor Fast Lane under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC).Publish quarterly Operation Vulindlela scorecards, with measurable impact on investor facilitation. As Ambassador Wu concluded, "Challenges are part of development." But challenges left unaddressed become liabilities. For South Africa, the BRICS 2030 horizon offers not just hope, but a promising future. Whether that promise becomes reality depends not on declarations from abroad, but on decisions made at home. * Ayanda Holo is the President of TV BRICS AFRICA ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Boeing evades MAX crash trial with last-minute settlement
Boeing evades MAX crash trial with last-minute settlement. Image: AFP Boeing has reached a settlement with a man whose family died in a 737 MAX crash in 2019, a law firm told AFP on Friday, meaning the US aviation giant will avoid a federal trial slated for Monday. Paul Njoroge, who lost his wife and three children in the Ethiopian Airlines disaster in which 157 people died, was to seek damages from Boeing in a case in Chicago. "The case has settled for a confidential amount," said a spokesperson for Clifford Law, the firm representing Njoroge, whose mother-in-law also died in the crash. "The aviation team at Clifford Law Offices has been working round-the-clock in preparation for trial, but the mediator was able to help the parties come to an agreement on behalf of Paul Njoroge," added Robert Clifford, a senior partner at Clifford, in a statement. Until now, Boeing has succeeded in avoiding civil trials connected to the 737 MAX crashes of 2018 and 2019, reaching a series of settlements, sometimes only hours before trials were set to begin. The crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 on March 10, 2019 took place six minutes after departing Addis Ababa for Nairobi. Njoroge lost his wife Carolyne, who was 33, his mother-in-law Ann Karanja, and the couple's three children: six-year-old Ryan; Kelli, who was four; and nine-month-old Rubi. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Njoroge told a congressional panel in July 2019 he was haunted by ideas of the final moments of the flight, how his children "must have clung to their mother, crying, seeing the fright in her eyes." "It is difficult for me to think of anything else but the horror they must have felt," he said. "I cannot get it out of my mind." The trial set for Monday was expected to last five to seven days. Between April 2019 and March 2021, family members of 155 Boeing victims joined litigation charging the aviation giant with wrongful death and negligence. Boeing has accepted responsibility for the Ethiopian Airlines crash, blaming the design of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), a flight handling system that malfunctioned. That system was also implicated in the Lion Air crash in 2018, when the 737 MAX 8 fell into the sea after taking off from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. The Lion Air crash also spawned dozens of lawsuits in the United States. But as of July 2025, only one case remained open. Boeing has said it has reached out-of-court agreements with more than 90% of civil complainants in the MAX cases. The company also has a settlement pending that would resolve a long-running Department of Justice criminal probe connected to the MAX crashes. Some MAX families are contesting the Department of Justice's accord with Boeing, arguing that the company should face federal prosecution. US District Judge Reed O'Connor, in Texas, has yet to make a final decision on the proposed accord. AFP
IOL News
20 hours ago
- IOL News
Political interference in SAPS: Experts weigh in ahead of Ramaphosa's address
South Africans await to hear President Cyril Ramaphosa's views and decision about Police Minister Senzo Mchunu amid corruption allegations. Image: File As the nation awaits President Cyril Ramaphosa's address on Sunday evening regarding serious allegations of political interference and corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), concerns about the integrity of law enforcement and governance continue to deepen. The president's forthcoming speech follows a dramatic public statement on July 6 by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who revealed allegations implicating senior political figures, including Minister Senzo Mchunu and police officials, in systemic corruption and manipulation. Ramaphosa, having been at the BRICS Summit in Brazil when the allegations emerged, promised to act decisively upon his return. Experts say the situation reflects longstanding challenges within the SAPS and the broader justice system. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dr Simon Howell of the University of Cape Town's Centre of Criminology explained that while such public accusations at the national level are uncommon, 'within the organisation, there may be lots of people talking about things'. He stressed the importance of thorough inquiry: 'Credibility depends on who's making the statement, the reasons, and the evidence they can show. Considering the allegations made, there will need to be some type of inquiry.' Howell highlights the damaging effects of political interference on crime investigation. 'There have been recorded instances of political interference having a significant impact,' he noted, recalling the firing of Robert McBride from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate after he pursued allegations against senior officers. 'Political interference is a distraction from operational policing… it undermines police resources and public focus on the issues that should matter.' The constitutional design intended to separate political oversight from operational policing has, according to Howell, been eroded over time. 'The distinctions between the police minister and the commissioner have become very blurred. So long as those boundaries remain unclear, there are significant issues. The president needs to take firm leadership to restore and strengthen these boundaries.' On oversight bodies, Howell observed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has become 'often toothless', lacking the power to conduct meaningful investigations. He pointed to recent successes by the Ministerial Police Agency (MPA) but insisted that reform is critical if public trust is to be rebuilt. The backlog of investigations, Howell added, not only damages public confidence but also corrodes police morale and discipline. 'Imagine working in an organisation where bosses are constantly under investigation or arresting one another. This has a severe effect on policing. Clear guidance and leadership are essential.' Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe described the allegations as 'dire', warning that they pose a fundamental challenge to the African National Congress and the entire criminal justice system. He condemned the ANC's handling of the Phala Phala scandal, particularly the classification of the report as top secret by Mchunu, who now faces accusations from Mkhwanazi of interference in policing operations. Seepe said: 'Phala Phala has already compromised Ramaphosa's standing. He is the last person to talk about the fight against corruption.' He called for the consistent application of the rule of law, including the removal of those implicated in corruption from positions of power. Legal expert Dr Lennit Max, a former police advisor, warned of serious consequences if Mchunu is found to have misled Parliament or interfered in police matters. 'The minister can be reported to Parliament's Ethics Committee for misleading the House, and a criminal case for perjury may be opened. If convicted, he could face jail, a suspended sentence, or a fine.' Max pointed to precedents set by the convictions of former national commissioner Jackie Selebi and ex-head of Crime Intelligence Lieutenant General Richard Mdluli, emphasising that 'no one is above the law'. He suggested the president may appoint an independent judge or commission to investigate the allegations and systemic failings within the SAPS. Meanwhile, businessman Brown Mogotsi, named by Mkhwanazi as connected to the controversy, denied any improper relationship with Mchunu or influence over the SAPS. In a TV interview, Mogotsi said he was not a police officer and held no formal role within the service. He claimed that he had phoned Mkhwanazi days before the media briefing to discuss fears among officers about arrests under Section J50. Mogotsi rejected claims that he arranged meetings with businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala on the minister's behalf or benefited from SAPS tenders, saying: 'Ministers don't run tenders. I've never done that, consciously or unconsciously.' He also denied any familial or professional ties to the minister's spokesperson and expressed concern for his safety after receiving threats. Mkhwanazi revealed that Mogotsi first contacted him via WhatsApp in September 2024, warning of attempts to discredit the police commissioner through legal manipulation. The messages included sensitive police documents and raised questions about the extent to which outsiders interfere in operational policing. The allegations have sparked political fallout, with the MK Party's Deputy President, Dr Mandlakayise John Hlophe, calling on Ramaphosa to dismiss Mchunu within 48 hours, reinstate the disbanded Political Killings Task Team, and establish a judicial commission of inquiry. 'The minister's alleged interference in SAPS operations and connections to corruption have rendered his position untenable,' Hlophe wrote. 'His continued tenure undermines the credibility of your administration and the fight against organised crime.' He warned that failure to act would leave the MK Party no choice but to pursue all available mechanisms of accountability, including parliamentary oversight, legal action, and mass mobilisation. 'The Constitution enjoins you, Mr President, to act in the best interests of the Republic. The time to act is now.'
