On 2 December, the 2023 Understanding China Conference was held in Guangzhou. More than 70 international guests from over 30 countries and regions rushed to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Focusing on China's new endeavors amid unprecedented global changes, participants in the conference make their contributions to the exchanges and cooperation between China and the world, to common development and prosperity, and to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Understanding China Conference. Based on the Greater Bay Area, which is vibrant with life, how do you understand China and Chinese modernization? An Southern Metropolis Daily, N-Video reporter, talked to many domestic and foreign authorities at the conference, discussing how countries can work hand in hand with the rest of the world to realize global modernization that features peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and prosperity for all.
On Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2023 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) being held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.
"To understand China, the key lies in understanding Chinese modernization. China is advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Xi said. "China's future is closely linked with the future of the entire humanity."
How does the world view Chinese modernization? What are the similarities and differences between Chinese modernization and Western modernization? What is the global significance of Chinese modernization? The Understanding China Conference has gone through ten years of history. Hence, the significance of understanding China and joining hands with China to create a better future has become more prominent.
China has found itself a path to modernization that is deeply rooted in its fine traditional culture and reflective of the advanced nature of scientific socialism. It emulates and absorbs the outcomes of all outstanding civilizations, represents the future direction of human progress, and displays a new prospect distinct from the Western model of modernization, thus creating a new form of human advancement.
"China and knowledgeable people in the international arena are increasingly impressed by the fact that there is a serious 'Understanding Deficit' ultimately stemming from different countries and civilizations, which is not conducive to mutual strategic trust." At the opening ceremony, Zheng Bijian, Founding Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS), said.
In the speech, he said, "If this international conference can more strongly help the world to understand China and the CPC, and at the same time more strongly help China to understand the world and the momentous changes of a like not seen in a century, then we will certainly be able to reduce the 'Understanding Deficits' in these three areas through sustained efforts. If this is done, it will become a great fortune to China and the world!"
At the opening ceremony, John L. Thornton, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the Brookings Institution and Global Co-Chair of Asia Society, emphasized that it is not easy to understand another culture and that strengthening China-US relations in the new era must be a task done with humility, curiosity, understanding, and empathy.
A few days ago, the Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States was held in San Francisco. Thornton described in his speech given at the opening ceremony on Sunday that the exchanges between American and Chinese participants at the dinner as "warm, pragmatic, and moving". Once opened, the door of China-US relations will not be shut again. He pointed out that the people of the United States and China need to speak to each other from the heart.
China has taken it as its responsibility to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and continues to provide the world with new growth momentum and opportunities through its development. More than 70 international guests from over 30 countries and regions attended this grand international conference.
Essam Sharaf, Former Prime Minister of Egypt, told a story at the conference, "My friend had a dream, and not only did he work hard to realize his dream, but he also wanted to get his friends on board, to work together, to find a brighter future together." In his story, the main characters are China and the other parts of the world.
In this way, China is now injecting positive energy into the global effort to achieve common development in openness and cooperation.
Zafar Uddin Mahmood, President of the Understanding China Forum, Pakistan, and Former Special Envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), told us that over the past ten years, the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, has always been people-centered, which is universally recognized and supported by the Pakistani people.
Not long ago, Zafar Uddin Mahmood recalled to us the ten years of the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He mentioned that during these ten years, Pakistan's major cities no longer face long power shortages, thus having the opportunity to vigorously develop industries and create employment opportunities for its people, bringing tangible benefits.
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has already become a window for international friends to learn about China.
In this regard, Vikram Channa Naraya, Vice President of Production and Development of Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, also told us at the conference that China has gradually transformed from the stage of rapid development to the stage of seeking high-quality development in the past four decades. The concept of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can be a good solution to the difficulties arising in the process of Chinese modernization.
China is committed to broadening the convergence of interests with other countries, and will continue to provide the world with new growth momentum and opportunities through its own development. The country looks forward to working hand in hand with the rest of the world to realize global modernization that features peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and prosperity for all.
For the sake of the present generation and the eternal future, China will work for the sake of the world. The journey is long, but the struggle is on.
Reporter | Xiao Yue from Southern Metropolis Daily, N-Video
Editor | He Jiahui, Xiang Xueni from Southern Metropolis Daily, N-Video
