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Xi Jinping Replies to Letter from Greek Scholars
2023-02-21 10:25

President Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from Professor Stelios Virvidakis of the University of Athens and other Greek scholars, extending congratulations on the founding of the Center of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations.

Hailing the long history of the Chinese civilization and the profound influence of the ancient Greek civilization, Xi Jinping said that over 2,000 years ago, the two civilizations glittered on the each end of the Eurasian continent, and made groundbreaking contributions to the evolution of human civilization. Now our two countries set up the Center and are committed to promoting exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations as well as promoting the development of various civilizations. That is of great historical and contemporary significance.

Xi Jinping stressed that in the long course of human history, various nations have created civilizations with their own features and symbols, which jointly form a colorful garden of human civilization. Each nation's civilization embodies the rich accumulation of its historical exploration and development, and provides an underlying guide for it to survive and thrive nowadays. To promote the development of human society and jointly build a human community with a shared future, it's a must to have a deep understanding and grasp of the age-old origins and rich contents of different civilizations and let the essence of all civilizations benefit the present generation and all mankind. He expressed confidence that the Center will certainly make great contributions in this regard.

Xi Jinping pointed out that people can draw inspiration from history to forge ahead for the future. History shows human civilization has thriven and prospered through inclusiveness and openness. Noting that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, Xi Jinping said that to solve salient problems facing mankind, not only material means are needed to overcome difficulties, it’s also important to rely on spiritual strength to nurture a lofty mind and a sincere heart. The values and the views on the world, the universe, life, science and culture filled in the Chinese and Greek civilizations are profound and extensive, and keep growing with new vitality through test of time, can surely be important spiritual guidance for mankind to solve the problems of the times and promote the building of a human community with a shared future.

During his state visit to Greece in 2019, President Xi Jinping initiated with Greek leaders the exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. After the visit, the two sides actively implemented the common understandings between the leaders and started to set up the Center. Professor Virvidakis of the University of Athens with other four Greek scholars wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping, expressing their strong support of the civilizational philosophy advocated by President Xi Jinping and briefed the preparations for the Center and its future development plans. On February 20, the Center was launched by the University of Athens.


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