Peking University professor celebrates diversity, particularity at Global Civilizations Dialogue

Can "celebrating difference" bring us closer together? At the Global Civilizational Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, Roger T. Ames from Peking University posed a question worth thinking about: Even when civilizations seem at odds, could they actually share common ground?

By referring to the Italian activist Lorenzo Marsili, Ames noted the importance of universality for addressing global challenges.

"Italian activist Lorenzo Marsili turns to classical Chinese philosophy with its commitment to making the best of the immediate moment and gives us an alternative to absolutism and relativism with a kind of planetary pragmatism. When we are able to establish a contingent system of practices that carries us in the direction of serving the interests of everyone everywhere, a kind of concrete universality emerging out of the particular circumstances of our contemporary reality might provide us with a planetary scale, norms, and institutions needed to respond effectively to our shared global concerns," he said.

Despite the diversity between civilizations, all cultures pursue common values and virtues. It is the shared values and the uniqueness built on these values that underpin a world of equality and shared development.

"Even though many of the participants in the revived civilizational dialogue take stances that seem to place them at odds with each other, In fact, under sustained scrutiny, we discovered that they are, by and large, using different political terminologies to advocate for the common values of openness, equity, inclusiveness, pluralism, hybridity and diversity," said Ames.

"Whether it is family, community, polity, or civilization, we are in need of a more nuanced pursuit of relational equity that not only acknowledges but in fact celebrates our particularity, 'Ge Mei Qi Mei' (Each to appreciate their own virtues), and that encourages the diversity that equities respect for difference promises us when, instead of merely tolerating our cultural differences, we activate those same differences. To make a difference for each other," he said.

Peking University professor celebrates diversity, particularity at Global Civilizations Dialogue

Peking University professor celebrates diversity, particularity at Global Civilizations Dialogue

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday that Seoul firmly adheres to the one-China principle, in comments made ahead of his upcoming state visit to China.

The remarks were made in an interview with China Media Group (CMG). The visit is scheduled for Jan 4–7.

"The consensus reached between governments of the Republic of Korea and China when diplomatic relations were established continues to be the fundamental principle governing our relations, and its effectiveness remains steadfast. I want to clearly state that the ROK has always adhered to the one-China principle. Maintaining peace and stability in regional matters, including in Northeast Asia and concerning the Taiwan issue, holds significant importance to us," said Lee.

"The foundational relationship between the ROK and China was established on a very principled and fundamental basis from the beginning. It is clear that the ROK government has always adhered to this position and has never wavered from it. I believe that the sound development of ROK-China relations depends on both sides fully respecting each other's core interests and being mutually tolerant of each other's positions. In this context, we will, as always, uphold the one-China principle as the Taiwan issue is China's most fundamental concern," he said.

ROK president reiterates firm adherence to one-China principle