Dialogue and Coexistence

By staff reporter HOU RUILI

UNESCO pointed out in the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity that the varieties of cultures in the world comprise a resource of exchange, reform and creation, a legacy of all mankind. In the interests of our contemporaries and for the sake of future generations, cultural diversity should be acknowledged and supported. Zhang Xiaoming, vice director of Cultural Research Center, China Academy of Social Sciences, spoke at the ongoing CPPCC session: "During the globalization and multi-polarization process, greater respect should be accorded to maintaining cultural diversity and emphasizing equality among countries. Globalization and cultural diversity are compatible. "

The Chinese government participated the drafting and signing of UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CCD) in 2004, and ever since has been a promoter and practitioner of cultural diversity preservation.

"China not only recognizes the existence of different civilizations but also enters into formal dialogue with them, for this is the key to world development," said Liu Guchang. This member of the CPPCC Standing Committee is a former deputy minister of foreign affairs, and former ambassador to Russia takes the broad view that "Our country boasts diverse cultures and many ethnic groups, so we are wise to maintain a united and harmonious society that offsets the inevitable exterior pressures and obstacles that go with that, and aim for a world of harmony."