“Humanity has a history of civilization dating back millennia. Civilizations arose and developed on different continents and at different times. But they prospered and innovated through mutual exchanges and mutual learning. The ancient Silk Road, which began in China, is one of the greatest examples of this.”

The Third Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations and the First World Conference of Sinologists was held in Beijing on 3-4 July 2023, under the auspices of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) and organised by the China National Archives of Publications and Culture and Beijing Language and Culture University.

The event was opened by China’s Vice-President Han Zheng.

Friends of Socialist China Co-editors Keith Bennett, Carlos Martinez and Danny Haiphong participated in the conference, as well as Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland.

Text of the speech by Keith Bennett.

Version of Keith Bennett’s speech published in China Today.

  Report on the event by Friends of Socialist China, including an account of the    contributions by representatives of Friends of Socialist China.