CGTN: Two years on, China's Global Civilization Initiative gains greater relevance in a turbulent world

CGTN published an article on the second anniversary of China's Global Civilization Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, which has become more relevant than ever amid uncertainty, turbulence and division in current times. Through introducing China’s efforts to practice the initiative and insights provided by experts and scholars, the article emphasized that China's respect for the diversity of civilizations makes the country an important role model for promoting world peace and stability.

BEIJING, March 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Two years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), calling for respect for cultural diversity, the promotion of common human values, the preservation and innovation of civilizations, and stronger international people–to–people exchanges.

In today's world, the initiative has become more relevant than ever amid uncertainty, turbulence, and division.

Facing rising anti–globalization trends, Elias Jabbour, a professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro's Faculty of Economic Sciences, highlighted the growing significance of GCI. He said China's inclusive approach to diversity sets an example for the world. At a time when some self–proclaimed “civilized” nations are enforcing mass deportations and repatriations, China's emphasis on mutual respect and cultural exchange stands in sharp contrast, the professor said, while commending the GCI for championing the coexistence of diverse civilizations without imposing one nation's values on another.

Guiding the world toward peace

When Xi proposed GCI at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High–Level Meeting in March 2023, he quoted a Chinese proverb: “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden” to indicate the vitality of cultural diversity and the necessity of embracing multiple civilizations in building a harmonious world.

“Countries need to uphold the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and let cultural exchanges transcend estrangement, mutual learning transcends clashes, and coexistence transcend feelings of superiority,” said Xi.

China's commitment to civilization dialogue was recognized later in June when the UN adopted a resolution proposed by China, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. Chinese envoy to the UN, Fu Cong, stated that this initiative sought to refocus global attention on intercultural dialogue at a “critical juncture.”

“If you look around the world, you see a lot of disputes, a lot of conflicts or even wars. And also, there is a surge of intolerance, extremism and also populism. All these can find their roots in the differences or the lack of understanding among cultures and religions,” Fu said.

A CGTN poll of 15,574 people across 40 countries and regions, published in March 2023, found that 80.3 percent see multiple civilizations as beneficial to global development, 85 percent believe in building a shared future through tolerance and cooperation, while 89.6 percent call for greater dialogue and openness, rising to 93.7 percent in developing countries.

Actions speak louder than words

China is not just an advocate, but also a true practitioner.

In November 2023, Beijing hosted the first World Conference of Classics, where over 400 experts engaged in discussions on classical civilizations. The conference was a platform to encourage nations to draw wisdom from ancient traditions, fostering greater mutual understanding. Since then, China has organized international forums such as the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations and the International Chinese Language Conference, which bring together scholars, policymakers, and cultural experts to explore shared values.

Cultural preservation is one of the main aspects of China's commitment to the initiative. The Beijing Central Axis, a historic architectural complex dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024. The same year, the Chinese Spring Festival was added to UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These milestones underscore China's dedication to safeguarding and promoting its rich cultural legacy on the global stage.

The country has been actively exploring and promoting elements of traditional Chinese culture, bringing its charm to the global stage. From the animated film Ne Zha 2 topping the global box office for animated films, to the video game Black Myth: Wukong gaining international popularity, and the dance drama Wing Chun becoming a smash hit in overseas markets, China is continuously innovating its cultural heritage.

It has also made efforts to strengthen people–to–people exchanges. Over the past year, student groups from cities such as Dallas, Houston, New York, and San Francisco have traveled to China to visit universities, companies, and iconic landmarks, following President Xi's 2023 pledge to invite 50,000 students over five years. In recent years, China has co–hosted “Tourism Years” with multiple countries to promote cultural exchange. By the end of 2024, China had expanded its visa–free entry policy to 29 countries, including France, Germany and Italy, facilitating greater global connections.

For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025–03–15/Two–years–on–China–s–GCI–becomes–more–vital–in–turbulent–times–1BL2FHhmmaY/p.html

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AgDevCo Successfully Exits Saise Farming Enterprises, Strengthening Zambia’s Potato Industry

LUSAKA, Zambia, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AgDevCo is pleased to announce its successful exit from Saise Farming Enterprises Limited, through an equity sale to Buya Bamba Limited, a leading Zambian potato company.

Saise was established in 2016 as a specialised potato seed farm between AgDevCo, Buya Bamba and its managing partners. Saise has played a crucial role in developing Zambia’s potato sector by producing high– quality, early–generation seed potatoes which are carefully chosen for Zambia’s climate and grown under licence from Buya Bamba.

With 285 hectares under irrigation in Mbala, Northern Zambia, Saise's seed potatoes are multiplied by a
network of growers, reaching a large portion of the country’s potato farmers. The farm has been instrumental in improving seed availability, enhancing yields, and enabling a reliable local source of excellent quality potato seed for Zambia. Additionally, Saise has created much–needed formal employment in Northern Zambia.

“Saise is in excellent hands with Buya Bamba, our partner in the venture from the start and are grateful for the commitment from our managing partners to build Saise into what it is today. As a proudly Zambian company, Buya Bamba is well–positioned to continue growing Zambia’s potato industry,” said Sean Carey, South Region Managing Director at AgDevCo.

Anthony Barker, Managing Director of Buya Bamba, added, “The future of Zambia’s potato industry is bright and this acquisition further strengthens the Zambian potato value chain. Buya Bamba appreciates the effort from AgDevCo to jointly lead the development of Saise, and take the early stage investment risk of this successful greenfield project.”

After successfully closing its latest US$85 million fund raise in 2024, AgDevCo remains committed to supporting pioneering agribusinesses across Zambia and Sub–Saharan Africa and is actively seeking opportunities to invest in sustainable farming and agri–processing ventures in Zambia and across the region.

About AgDevCo:

AgDevCo is a specialist impact investor operating exclusively in the agriculture sector in Africa. Our mission is to build successful African agribusinesses through long–term investment and support to deliver positive impact at scale. We invest debt and equity in African agribusinesses to create jobs, improve food security, and boost prosperity. With $340 million assets under management, we have made over 88 investments to date. Our investments leverage private capital into socially–responsible farming and agri–processing businesses in Africa, with major benefits for smallholder farmers and local communities.

Contact for media enquiries: Sean Carey, Managing Director South Region; Tel: +44 (0) 20 7539 2650; email [email protected] or [email protected]

About Buya Bamba:

Buya Bamba is a Zambian agribusiness company specializing in the production, marketing, storage, and distribution of high–quality potatoes. The company plays a key role in strengthening Zambia’s agricultural value chain by supplying locally grown potatoes to agro–processing industries, supermarkets, restaurants, and commercial buyers. Buya Bamba strongly supports the informal sector through its sales depots which create income generating opportunities downstream.

Contact for media enquiries: Anthony Barker, Managing Director; Tel: +260 966 861 140; email [email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52b0d869–9304–42ab–8487–898b578d8c7f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/78206b1c–0ee8–4b6a–b1e7–8e6738dad3ee


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