Advocate mutual learning and promote openness and inclusiveness – “2023 Congdu International Forum” plays a strong voice for multilateralism – CCTV Information – Anshan Municipal People’s Government – Anshan, China

Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou, December 5(International Observer) Advocating mutual learning and promoting openness and inclusiveness – “2023 Congdu International Forum” plays a strong voice for multilateralism

Xinhua News Agency reporters Xie Binbin Dong Yue and Ma Xiaocheng

In winter in Yangcheng, the wind is still warm, the flowers are luxuriant and the leaves are luxuriant. People of insight from China and abroad gathered here for a grand gathering of ideas.

The “2023 Congdu International Forum” concluded in Guangzhou on the 5th. More than 130 political, business and academic guests from more than 40 countries attended the forum, focusing on the theme of “Multilateralism: More Exchanges, More Tolerance, More Cooperation” to conduct in-depth discussions on world peace and stability, sustainable economic development, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. and other important topics, to discuss plans for global cooperation, seek common development, and share experiences.

This intellectual conversation could not have come at a better time. In the context of the current emerging global challenges, the participants generally believed that countries around the world should be committed to dialogue and exchanges, jointly promote true multilateralism, promote mutual benefit and win-win through cooperation, inject more momentum into the common development of all countries, and create a better future together. future.

Addressing common challenges through multilateralism

The changes that have occurred over the past century are accelerating, global governance is facing a complex situation, and the international order is at a critical crossroads. Where to go between multilateralism and unilateralism is a question that all countries must face. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the forum on the 4th, saying that more than ever, we need to adhere to the core values ​​and basic principles of multilateralism and practice the global governance concept of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, former Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Vladimir Norov said that the theme of this year’s Congdu International Forum highlights the importance of multilateralism, especially when unilateralism and protectionism endanger peace and stability. In the context of sustainable development, “it is even more valuable to uphold multilateralism.”

“We must deeply grasp the essence of multilateralism.” Danilo Turk, Chairman of the World Leadership Alliance and former President of Slovenia, said that true multilateralism should be advocated in this multipolar world and more multilateral mechanisms should be established. , leading the world in a better direction through joint efforts.

Vaila Freiberga, co-chairman of the Nizami Gangavi International Center and former President of Latvia, said that the world today is not peaceful, and if these conflicts cannot be resolved through multilateralism, common prosperity cannot be truly achieved. Countries should promote mutual understanding, seek common ground while reserving differences, respect each other’s differences and differences, and seek peaceful coexistence.

Multilateralism not only conforms to the trend of world development and represents the direction of human society, but is also an effective way to maintain peace and promote development.

Zhou Zerong, president of the Australia-China Friendly Exchange Association, said that human society is currently facing unprecedented severe challenges. The theme of this forum focuses on multilateralism, which calls on the international community to transcend isolation through exchanges, resolve opposition through tolerance, and win development through cooperation.

Gathering synergy for development through open cooperation

At present, the world economy is struggling to recover, anti-globalization trends are on the rise, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and regional conflicts, climate change and other global issues are intensifying… Is it unity or division, openness or closure, cooperation or confrontation? How to choose is related to the future of human society.

Former Belgian Prime Minister Yves Letem pointed out that we are currently facing many problems, and these problems can only be solved through cooperation.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said that to achieve economic recovery, we must make a big profit plate so that everyone can benefit from it. To achieve common development, we must vigorously carry out mutually beneficial cooperation to ensure that no country will be left behind.

Zou Ciyong, deputy director-general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, believes that in response to the current situation of geopolitical conflicts and economic development differentiation, what we have to do is to resolutely oppose fragmentation and opposition. The past three to forty years have proven that globalization can promote economic development and be beneficial to the overall development of mankind.

In the new era, China holds high the banner of multilateralism, firmly promotes high-level opening up to the outside world, gathers global development forces with the concepts of openness, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, provides the world with open and cooperative global public goods, and demonstrates the responsibility of a major country. The guests at the meeting generally highly agreed with this.

Former Serbian President Boris Tadic said that currently international trade and investment are facing many challenges, and the international community needs to explore some new development paths. China has proposed the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative, which has benefited many countries, including Serbia.

According to Li Xiangyang, dean of the Institute of Asia-Pacific and Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Belt and Road Initiative is development-oriented and truly open. It is an important cooperation platform provided by China to promote global development.

Sean Cleary, executive vice president of the Future World Foundation, told Xinhua News Agency that the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen around the world, and the income growth of people in many regions is slow, posing serious problems to many countries. The global development initiative proposed by China provides practical suggestions and solutions to solve these problems. It is imperative that all countries think deeply, strive to reach consensus, and take positive actions.

Norov said that China has demonstrated its responsibility as a major country and strives to promote developing and developed countries to join hands to jointly solve global problems that plague mankind.

Let’s work toward a better future through inclusive exchanges

One flower blooming alone is not spring, but a hundred flowers blooming together fills the garden. Practicing true multilateralism requires enhancing exchanges among countries and realizing mutual learning among different civilizations.

“Currently we are facing many common challenges. It is important to deepen our understanding through face-to-face dialogue. We need to put complex and difficult issues on the table for discussion.” said former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho.

Freiberga said that the Congdu International Forum is becoming an important platform for international exchanges and dialogues, and the friendly exchange atmosphere created by the participants “will be extended outwards,” thus affecting more people.

Mount Tai does not allow soil, so it can grow as big as it does; rivers and seas do not accept small streams, so they can grow as deep as possible. Practicing true multilateralism requires advocating harmony and inclusiveness, promoting mutual learning among civilizations, and promoting the common values ​​of all mankind.

Cleary said that the global civilization initiative proposed by China emphasizes that different civilizations have different histories and cultures. “We must find a way to respect the diversity of cultures and civilizations in the world.”

Zheng Yongnian, dean of the Qianhai Institute of International Affairs at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) and chairman of the Guangzhou Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Research Institute, said that tolerance is one of the themes of this year’s forum. What we should build is inclusive multilateralism, not That kind of “exclusive pseudo-multilateralism.”

Zlatko Ragumdia, former Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that the Congdu International Forum provides a platform for mutual learning and exchange, bringing together people of insight from all walks of life around the world. “We had in-depth discussions on global challenges, launched a fuller dialogue on key issues, and ultimately united in seeking common ground while reserving differences to embrace a common future.”