The world on Tuesday celebrated the inaugural International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, established by a UN resolution championed by China's Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
Proposed by China in March 2023, the GCI has emerged as a cornerstone of contemporary global governance, advocating for civilizational diversity as humanity's shared heritage. The initiative's core principles, rejecting ideological confrontation while promoting mutual learning and common values, directly shaped the UN's historic decision to create this annual observance, with over 80 nations co-sponsoring the resolution.
In recent years, China has institutionalized the GCI through concrete multilateral and bilateral frameworks. The 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee formalized implementation mechanisms during its Third Plenary Session in July 2024, coinciding with the expansion of China's cultural diplomacy network.
This includes 16 multilateral platforms like BRICS cultural ministers' meetings and 25 bilateral mechanisms established through cultural years with Italy, Greece, Spain and other partners, building on earlier platforms such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.
As part of China's efforts to contribute to global governance, the Global Civilization Initiative follows the Global Development Initiative, launched in 2021, and the Global Security Initiative, introduced in 2022.
Its growing international recognition, exemplified by the new UN observance day, reflects increasing consensus on intercultural dialogue as the foundation for shared human progress in an interconnected world.
China's Global Civilization Initiative inspires 1st UN civilizations dialogue day
China's Global Civilization Initiative inspires 1st UN civilizations dialogue day
China closed 2025 with a record of 92 space launches and major breakthroughs were made in manned space launches, deep space exploration and commercial launches, according to the China National Space Administration.
"In 2025, we created a new launch record, sending more than 300 satellites into planned orbits. Both the number of launches and the number of payloads placed in orbit have achieved qualitative leapfrog development," said Zhu Haiyang, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
In 2025, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest single mission duration in the history of China's manned space program. Following the Shenzhou-20, the Shenzhou-21 achieved the fastest rendezvous and docking in the history of the Shenzhou mission in just three hours and a half.
Facing an unexpected technical situation with the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, China immediately activated emergency plans. Within 16 days, a series of maneuvers were accomplished including the launch of the Shenzhou-22 backup vehicle, presenting a "textbook model" for the international space community in effectively responding to unexpected emergencies.
In deep space exploration, the Tianwen-2 probe embarked on its journey for China's first asteroid exploration and sample-return mission in 2025.
Last year also saw intensive launch activities from multiple commercial rocket types, injecting strong momentum into the country's commercial space development.
As China has kicked off the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), a new blueprint for the country's space program is unfolding. Multiple tests are planned in preparation for future lunar exploration, as Chang'e-7 lunar probe is scheduled to be launched for the lunar south pole to search for evidence of water ice. The industry is also preparing for the maiden flights of several new rocket types, which will include the challenges to test rocket recovery and reusability technologies.
China closes 2025 with record 92 space launches
