Published on: 2026-07-29
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Moscow, July 29 /Xinhua/ — Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui published an op-ed in the Russian newspaper “Izvestia” on Tuesday. The full text of the article is provided below:
Currently, unprecedented colossal changes are happening worldwide at an accelerated pace unseen in a hundred years; human society has once again found itself at a historical crossroads. Faced with the “questions of the era” – “what is happening to the world and what should we do?” – the choice between civilizational dialogue and confrontation and opposition, between inclusive development and mutual isolation, becomes a test of the political wisdom of countries and the responsibility of great powers. China, following the general trends of human society’s development, has proposed and is implementing the Global Civilization Initiative; Russia, relying on its rich cultural and historical heritage, has set a strategic goal of building a “state-civilization.” The commonality of aspirations and the coherence of ideas between China and Russia on the civilizational plane not only give a powerful spiritual impetus to the development of bilateral relations but also provide the world, full of uncertainty, with much-needed stability and positive energy.
DEEP ALIGNMENT OF STRATEGIC CONCEPTS, JOINT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL CIVILIZATION INITIATIVE
The greatness of a power lies in a broad global vision and high moral responsibility. The Chairman of the PRC, Xi Jinping, put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, calling for respect for the diversity of world civilizations, adherence to the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations, thus responding to the common aspiration of countries to preserve civilizational diversity. Immediately after its proposal, this significant initiative received wide recognition and active response from the international community, including Russia.
China and Russia consistently stand firmly on the right side of history, resolutely opposing the ‘theory of civilizational superiority’ and the ‘theory of clash of civilizations,’ and advocating against ideological confrontation. Thanks to the joint efforts and promotion by the two countries, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution establishing the International Day of Dialogue of Civilizations, to be observed on June 10, providing the world with an important platform for regular, equal exchange and mutual learning between civilizations in a multilateral format.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia partnership and strategic interaction, and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the PRC and the Russian Federation. At this important milestone, linking past and future, the heads of the two states jointly launched the Cross Years of China and Russia Education. From joint scientific research and training personnel in higher education to exchanging experience in vocational and basic education, China and Russia are deepening humanitarian cooperation through practical measures, setting an example for the international community of how different civilizations can interact, learn from each other, coexist, and prosper together in the new era.
COMMITMENT TO INDEPENDENT PATHS OF DEVELOPMENT, ENRICHING THE DIVERSE PICTURE OF HUMAN MODERNIZATION
As Chinese wisdom says: “To grow a tree big and tall, you need to strengthen its roots. For a river to flow far, you must clear its source.” Respect for historical traditions and the real conditions of each country is an integral part of the goals and principles of the UN Charter and the fundamental norms of international relations. China’s path of development is deeply rooted in the fertile soil of five-thousand-year outstanding Chinese traditional culture. Chinese modernization, as a new form of human civilization, presents a completely different picture compared to Western models of modernization. Russia, following the path of building a “state-civilization,” passes down its unique cultural-historical traditions and values from generation to generation, charting an independent path of development that corresponds to its own national conditions.
The living experience of China and Russia serves as convincing evidence that modernization does not equal Westernization and that there is no single universal development model suitable for all countries in the world. Paths of modernization are varied and diverse, each having its own specific value. The independent choice by countries of their development paths, based on their civilizational traditions, current national conditions, and ensuring sovereign security, deserves universal respect from the international community. China is ready to continue working together with the Russian side to explore paths of modernization development that correspond to their own history, culture, traditional values, and national realities.
STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION OF COMMON VALUES, ENSURING LONG-TERM STABILITY OF THE STATE
Cultural identity and the formation of common values are the strategic foundation that enables great powers to ensure long-term stability. Guided by the ideological principle of strengthening the sense of community of the Chinese nation, China systematically constructs a spiritual home shared by all peoples of the country in legislative form, providing a reliable legal foundation for the qualitative advancement of national unity and progress, as well as for promoting Chinese modernization through the great unity of the Chinese nation.
Russia, in the process of building a “state-civilization,” is consistently strengthening the national and cultural identity of its citizens. The State National Policy Strategy for the period up to 2036 sets the goal of ensuring that at least 95 percent of the country’s population identify themselves as “Russians,” which effectively contributes to the unity of the multinational state and social stability. Both sides adhere to an institutional and legal approach to preserving cultural and historical roots, strengthening value consensus, and transmitting historical memory, which not only reinforces internal stability but also builds a spiritual line of defense to protect state sovereignty, security, and national interests.
Reverence for virtue and the broad development of affairs, advancing towards a distant goal through consensus and harmony. Civilizations come to know each other without knowing distances; relations among powers are built on dedication and consistent actions. Under the strategic leadership of the heads of the two states, we are ready to steadfastly implement the Global Civilization Initiative and a genuine multilateral approach, continuously deepen intercivilizational exchanges and mutual learning with the Russian side, call on all countries of the world to resolve disagreements through rapprochment of civilizations, strengthen trust through dialogue and cooperation, and also contribute Sino-Russian wisdom and strength to promoting a multipolar world, improving global governance, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. –0–
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