Multiple ongoing military conflicts across the globe are eroding global peace, according to Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway. In an interview, Bondevik pointed to crises in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, noting that these conflicts have triggered severe humanitarian disasters.
He recalled that several decades ago, the world had been making steady progress. Greater access to education and healthcare had been achieved, with China delivering major contributions to such global advancement. Yet recent years have brought noticeable setbacks, driven largely by wars and other negative trends within the international community. "I hope that we will have a more peaceful world in the future. That's a precondition for development in other fields," Bondevik stated.
Stressing that the world needs more cooperation rather than confrontation, Bondevik highlighted China's growing global influence. He expressed hope that China and the United States would engage in deeper collaboration instead of confrontation. He viewed the European Union as a strong, integrated cooperative bloc and called for more practical joint projects between Europe and China.
Bondevik shared his long standing connections with China. He first visited China in the late 1970s as a young member of parliament and witnessed the country's daunting challenges back then. When he returned around 25 years ago, serving as prime minister, he was deeply impressed by China's remarkable transformation over decades.
He acknowledged continuous development across various sectors in China. He urged sustained dialogues on building societies where people can exercise influence and enjoy their rights, adding that broader common understanding in these spheres still requires considerable effort.
Reporter | Mao Shujie, Liu Jialun
Video editor | Jiang Siqi
Video script | Mao Shujie, Dong Han
