Editor’s note: On the morning of September 26th, the 2018 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival and the 5th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations was held in Nishan. More than 500 experts, scholars and guests from 25 countries and regions attended the opening ceremony. As the representative of Chinese scholars, Mr. Chen Lai, Dean of the Academy of Chinese Learning, Tsinghua University, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech, which is recorded as follows:

Dear leaders, scholars, and distinguished guests:

I am very honored to address the conference on behalf of Chinese scholars, expressing congratulations and best wishes to the conference.

Eight years ago, Mr. Xu Jialu showed great foresight and initiated the Nishan Forum. We are pleased to see that in recent years, the theme of each forum is distinctive and full of vitality. The forum has been gaining higher publicity and greater influence, which played a prominent part in promoting dialogues and mutual understanding of world’s various civilizations. The theme of this year's conference is "Shared Future in Harmony: Harmony of Civilizations and a Community of Shared Future for Mankind". I believe the theme is quite echoing with the underlying values of the peaceful development of China and the world today. In 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping proposed the vision of a community with shared future for mankind, which he further elaborated on in many important speeches. In December 2017, Xi Jinping used the term "community with a shared future for mankind" 16 times in his keynote speech at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-level Meeting, which is an elaborated interpretation of his vision. This vision is also reflected in the report of the 19th CPC National Congress and the newly revised CPC Constitution and Constitution of China. The vision of a community with shared future for mankind is an important part of Xi Jinping thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era. Promoting the building of a community with shared future for mankind has become an important mission of the CPC and the Chinese people in the new era. Furthermore, the vision has also received positive responses from the United Nations and many countries and regions in the world. From the “Belt and Road” initiative to the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, joining hands for shared future and common development has become the common aspiration of people all over the world.

Promoting building a community with shared future for mankind requires an integrated development in the political, economic, and cultural fields, among which, the cultural civilization is very important. As far as the purpose and mission of the forum are concerned, it can be said that without the common sense of universal harmony of human civilization, there can be no good practice of a community of shared future for mankind. Civilization symbolizes the soul of thoughts and fundamental concept of a nation’s culture and religion. Civilizations in the world mainly reflect the common vision of human beings for a better life. However, due to many factors such as differences in specific languages, nationalities, history, and cultural contexts, different civilizations show varieties in terms of conceptual expressions, which is called common principle expressed in different ways in Chinese philosophy. Each civilization, with its own unique charm and profound heritage, is treasure for mankind. We should engage in dialogue and exchange on the basis of seeking harmony in diversity and mutual respect.

Xi Jinping has emphasized that civilization is colorful, equal, open, and inclusive. the difference among civilizations lies in characteristics and regions, but not in which one is superior to another. Distinctions among civilizations should become the impetus for the progress of human civilization, but not the source of conflicts in the world. Civilizations gain more shades of color in exchanges, and they are enriched in mutual learning. Exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are an important impetus for the advancement of human civilization and the peaceful development of the world. A series of important speeches made by Xi Jinping embody the Chinese wisdom of thoughts drawn from long-term civilization exchanges, reflect the thoughts of Chinese people on the history and reality of human civilization, and also demonstrate the vision on civilization upheld by the CPC. The above visions on civilization, based on the spirit of Chinese civilization, actually expresses the common sense of universal harmony of human civilization. There is only one earth in the universe, and human beings share only one home. Nowadays the common sense of universal harmony of human civilization is in urgent need. We should bear an integral sense in terms of civilization and take into account the overall situation, so disputes and conflicts brought about by differences in civilization can be effectively resolved.

Civilization is not isolated, static or immutable. On the contrary, civilization is living and constantly developing. Different civilizations should engage in dialogue, appreciate and learn from each other, for common advancement and a beautiful home for mankind. We believe that with the joint efforts of all civilizations, dialogues and harmonious integration of civilizations will surely become an significant impetus and bond for maintaining world peace and building a community with shared future for mankind.

In conclusion, I wish the conference a complete success!