China will work with other countries to champion equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and implement the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), in a bid to make greater contributions to the progress of human civilization, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the GCI in 2023, advocating respect for the diversity of civilizations, the promotion of shared human values, the preservation and innovation of cultural heritage, and stronger international cultural exchanges and cooperation.
The GCI is increasingly recognized as a global consensus, having been incorporated into UN resolutions and bilateral and multilateral documents.
In 2024, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China and 82 other countries, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations each year.
During a press conference, Ma highlighted China's efforts and achievements in promoting exchanges among civilizations.
"Since President Xi Jinping proposed the '50,000 [young Americans visiting China] in five years' initiative in 2023, over 30,000 American youths have visited China, made friends with their Chinese peers, and witnessed the true China. China has introduced unilateral visa-free entry and made mutual visa exemption agreements with 75 countries, and implemented transit visa exemption for 55 countries. 'China Travel' enjoys growing popularity. China's cultural products such as the game 'Black Myth: Wukong', the film 'Ne Zha 2' and the Labubu doll have become global hits, continuing to write new and inspiring stories of exchanges and mutual learning between China and the world," said Ma.
China willing to work with other countries in promoting exchanges, cooperation among civilizations: official
China willing to work with other countries in promoting exchanges, cooperation among civilizations: official
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
