Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Takes Part in China’s Second Civilization Exchanges and Mutual Learning Dialogue
BEIJING, China - HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, founder and Chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Global (TAG.Global) has been officially invited to participate, in   the Second Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding, which convened under the title: “Upholding Diversity of Civilizations and Carrying forward Shared Values of Mankind”.
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh took part in the event on behalf of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Confucius Institute (TAG-Confucius); the only Confucius Institute in the world that was invited to this significant event.
The Dialogue was also attended by Mr. Zhang Wei, Director of the Division of International Exchange and Cooperation of Shenyang Normal University - which is the partner University of TAG-Confucius, Jordanian Executive Director of TAG-CI, Mr. Mamoun Abu Al Sebaa, and Chinese Director, Dr. Yang Songfang, in addition to all Institute teachers.
Vice President of China Wang Qishan delivered a video speech at the Dialogue, in which he underlined that “Promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations is a major issue for achieving world peace and development in addition to realizing better life for the people. "We should constantly deepen our understanding of ourselves and other civilizations, find the key to the exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations from the perspective of all mankind, gain confidence from historical, cultural and philosophical thinking, and constantly seek consensus on building a community with a shared future for all mankind.” He said.
He further pointed out that in the long history of more than 5000 years, the Chinese nation has created a brilliant Chinese civilization and made important contributions to the progress of all other human civilizations. He expressed that on the new journey, China will continue to strengthen unity and cooperation with other countries, gather forces to promote civilizations and progress, and jointly create a better future.

For his part Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh delivered his speech (digitally). Its theme was “Peace and Development: Foundation of Human Survival and Guarantee of Cultural Continuity”.  He referred to the “Global Development Initiative” (GDI) proposed by Chinese President His Excellency Xi Jinping, which gives top priority to eight areas for the global community to step up cooperation—poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response and vaccines, development financing, climate change and green development, industrialization, digital economy and connectivity, which he believed would help countries around the world to shore up robust, green and more balanced growth amid unprecedented challenges to human existence. 
Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized that "our objective should be providing international development assistance with no strings attached, and we should aim to build a global community of development with a shared future toward the common pursuit of happiness for all". He added that "Peace should be based on justice, and peace and development are the foundation of human survival and the guarantee for cultural continuity".
He pointed out that multilateralism is the key to solving global risks and challenges such as the pandemic and the climate change, which cannot be solved by individual countries, therefore collective action is highly required. He said that TAG.Global is proud of its partnership with Confucius Institute Headquarters in China, in order to establish and operate TAG-CI since 2008. He further expressed his great pride in receiving the Chinese Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sino-Arab Friendship and Relations in 2016, which was presented to him by President Xi Jinping. Abu-Ghazaleh called on everyone to work together to support President Xi Jinping’s “Global Development Initiative” and achieve the right goals.
It is worth mentioning that the Dialogue was hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding. Ji Bingxuan, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. A total of about 260 people from all walks of life in China and abroad attended the Dialogue.