2022 Dialogue on Civilization between China and Europe

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H.E. Mr. Wu Hongbo, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs, Former UN Under-Secretary-General, President of the China International Public Relations Association,

H.E. Mr. George Papandreou, President of the Socialist International, Former Prime Minister of Greece,

H.E. Mr. Kevin Rudd, President and CEO of the Asia Society, Former Prime Minister of Australia, 

I also wish to acknowledge the presence of 3 female leaders at the table:

Ms. Wang Dongmei, Former Party Secretary of the China Journalists Association,

Ms. Yang Bo, Deputy General Manager of Fenjiu Group, Executive Director of Zhuyeqing,

Ms. Lin Yang, Global Partner and Executive Chairwoman of Yingke Global Board of Directors,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

I wish to start by thanking H.E. Mr. Wu Hongbo, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs and a long-time friend of the United Nations, which he served as Under-Secretary-General for Economics and Social Affairs until 2017. To him goes my gratitude for this invitation to address the 2022 Dialogue on Civilization between China and Europe. I am pleased to participate in this important dialogue to promote international cooperation and intercultural exchange.

In the words of Chinese writer and linguist Lin Yutang, “China is too big a country, and her national life has too many facets, for her not to be open to the most diverse and contradictory interpretations.”

It is often difficult for societies with different yet deep philosophical and cultural roots to understand each other and construct healthy and transparent partnerships for cooperation.

Both China and Europe have pivotal roles to play in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More fundamentally, China and Europe are natural partners in the great dialogue of civilizations. Both actors have many years of rich culture and history, as evidenced in the study of philosophy.

Confucius and Aristotle – two highly influential thinkers, laid the foundation of Eastern and Western civilizations respectively and influence them to this day. In their wisdom still lie potential solutions to our present global challenges.

The concept of trustworthiness (xìn) as a virtue plays a central role in the Confucian ethic, with Confucius saying, “if one is trustworthy, others will give one responsibility.” Similarly, truthfulness is one of the twelve virtues of Aristotle, who said, “we become just by practicing justice, truthful by practicing truthfulness and honesty, courageous by practicing courage unless it becomes a habit, unless these virtues become an extension of ourselves.”

Friends, it is high time that we restore trust in multilateralism and inspire hope amongst the community of nations, to create healthy and transparent relationships that accelerate the implementation of all 17 SDGs before the 2030 deadline.

In recent years, we have seen promising signs for China and Europe to join hands through practical partnerships in various fields, laying a foundation for deeper cooperation in the future.

After more than two years of global efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic, China, and the European Union (EU) both agree on the need to address global health threats through international cooperation, on the central role of the World Health Organization in ensuring an efficient and coordinated response, and the economic priority of post-pandemic recovery.

The China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation, agreed upon by both sides, sees a shared commitment to global sustainable development, the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

With culture and heritage playing a prominent role in sustainable development, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has promoted international cultural exchange and dialogues between decision-makers, scholars, and practitioners, to share best practices and facilitate mutual learning. In October 2018, the UNESCO office in Beijing organized the China-Germany Cultural Exchange on “Heritage Conservation for Sustainable Development”. This was the first UNESCO-led cultural exchange activity between the two countries, and was joined by representatives from line ministries for living heritage and World Heritage, the National Commission for UNESCO, academic institutes, World Heritage site managers and living heritage bearers from China and Germany. Another China-Germany Cultural Exchange is planned for 2024.

Since the first departure of trains in March 2011, we have also seen the emergence of a key logistical pipeline in the China-Europe Railway Express. Despite backlogs and heavy pressures, from January to June, the China-Europe Railway Express operated 7,514 trains, carrying 724,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo, providing support to stabilize global industrial supply chains.

The UN system in China is also working closely with Member States in China throughout the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2021-2025) to support the achievement of the SDGs.

In May 2021, a conversation titled “SDG Partnership Platform: Towards Rural Revitalization and Food Systems Transformation in China and Beyond” was conducted by the UN system in China in cooperation with the Embassy of Ireland in China. In March, we co-hosted a series of gender and health events with the UK Mission in China (a former member of the European Union) under the theme of Women’s empowerment and Gender Equality. In June, the Beijing Blue Talks were co-hosted by the UN in China, the Embassy of Kenya in Beijing, and the Embassy of Portugal in Beijing to highlight the importance of Ocean-related issues, ahead of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations environment Programme (UNEP) co-hosted the High-Level Reception of Stockholm+50 with the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing, in commemoration of the 1972 Stockholm Declaration. All of these joint events are vivid examples of our commitments to promote South-South and North-South multilateral cooperation.

As the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said, “We must rise higher to rescue the Sustainable Development Goals – and stay true to our promise of a world of peace, dignity and prosperity on a healthy planet.”

We are witnessing profound changes in the world, including the persisting pandemic, an accelerating climate crisis and the emergence of new conflicts. The geopolitical landscape is shifting, and the world is facing a period of new instability. This increases the risk of divisions between stakeholders in the world, including between China and the countries of Europe. Evidence of this is already before our eyes. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Global challenges necessitate global solutions. Multilateralism and international cooperation are the tools to getting the SDGs back on track.

To achieve the SDGs, the world needs to leverage the potential of all relevant actors, break through the cultural and political barriers, and reach consensus in order to leave no one behind, as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda.

China is on board with this. Pointing to the continued need for multilateralism in his speech at the 2021 Boao Forum for Asia, President Xi Jinping said, “By setting sail together, we could ride the wind, break the waves, and brave the journey of ten thousand miles. We may at times encounter stormy waves and dangerous rapids, but as long as we pool our efforts and keep to the right direction, the giant vessel of human development will stay on an even keel and sail toward a brighter future.”

The UN Country Team in China I lead will continue efforts to address the opportunities and challenges ahead in restoring trust in multilateralism. To connect, convene and catalyze stakeholders throughout the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. To be a bridge for further consensus and dialogue, to realize a more inclusive and sustainable world for all.

I wish you productive deliberations at the dialogue today. Thank you.