Today, December 16, 2025, the 2025 International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations kicked off in the Macao Special Administrative Region. Over 50 leaders from governments, global organizations, and top experts representing 10 countries are gathering to exchange ideas on how civilizations can learn from each other.
At the heart of the conversation was Zheng Yongnian, director of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen). Zheng highlighted two defining features of Chinese modernization:
- Embracing the world while upholding its own subjectivity 🌏🀄️
Zheng explained that Chinese civilization has always been open to global influences yet retained a strong sense of its cultural identity. - Extending the ladder of shared prosperity 🤝✨
Once the Chinese mainland achieved modernization, it reached out to help other nations climb toward shared growth and development.
These insights set the tone for the forum’s sessions, which will explore cross-cultural dialogue, sustainable development, and innovative paths to mutual understanding. For many young attendees, Zheng’s remarks served as both inspiration and a reminder that modernization can be a collective journey.
Stay tuned for more updates from Macao as this global conversation unfolds! 🎉
Reference(s):
Scholar analyzes the two defining features of Chinese modernization
cgtn.com
