Xi write to Greek scholars

Xi Jinping replies to Greek scholars

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 20 – Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to Professor Vilvidakis of the University of Athens and other Greek scholars, congratulating the establishment of the China-Greece Center for Mutual Learning of Civilizations.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese civilization has a long history, and the ancient Greek civilization has far-reaching influence. More than 2,000 years ago, the two great civilizations of China and Greece complemented each other at both ends of the Eurasian continent, making a fundamental contribution to the evolution of human civilization. Now, the two countries have established the China-Greece Civilization Mutual Learning Center, which is committed to promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Greek civilizations and promoting the development of civilizations in various countries, which has very important historical and epochal significance.

Xi Jinping emphasized that in the long course of human history, all ethnic groups have created civilizations with their own characteristics and symbols, which together constitute a colorful garden of human civilization. Various civilizations are the rich accumulation of historical exploration and development of various nations, and they are also in-depth guidance for the survival and development of various nations today. If we want to promote the development of human society and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, we must deeply understand and grasp the long origins and rich contents of various civilizations, so that the essence of all civilizations can benefit today and mankind. It is believed that the China-Greece Center for Mutual Learning of Civilizations will be able to make great achievements in this regard.

Xi Jinping pointed out that we should learn from the past and learn from the present, so as to build on the past and open up the future. History has fully proved that as long as we persist in inclusiveness, openness and inclusiveness, human civilization can continue to develop and prosper. The world today is facing major changes unseen in a century. To resolve the prominent contradictions and problems facing mankind, we need to rely on material means to overcome difficulties, and we also need to rely on spiritual strength, sincerity and righteousness. The values, world outlook, cosmology, life outlook, scientific outlook, and cultural outlook contained in Chinese and Greek civilizations are profound and timeless, and will surely provide important spiritual guidance for mankind to solve the problems of the times and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

During President Xi Jinping's state visit to Greece in 2019, he and the Greek leaders jointly advocated exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. After the visit, the two sides actively implemented the leaders' consensus and prepared to build the China-Greece Civilization Mutual Learning Center. A few days ago, five Greek scholars, including Professor Vilvidakis of the University of Athens, jointly wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping, talking about their high recognition of the concept of civilization advocated by President Xi Jinping, and introducing the center's preparations and development plans. On February 20, the establishment ceremony of the China-Greece Civilization Mutual Learning Center was held at the University of Athens.