UNESCO’s Beijing Office Director Shahbaz Khan has hailed China’s Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) as a “beautiful” step toward fostering global unity through cultural respect and cooperation. In an exclusive interview with CGTN, Khan emphasized that the GCI aligns with UNESCO’s mission of promoting peace via intercultural dialogue 🌸.
More Than Just Heritage Sites
While China ranks second globally in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Khan stressed that the real value lies in collaboration, not competition. “Heritage sites in Italy, India, or China belong to all of us,” he said. Highlighting China’s 50,000+ intangible cultural elements, he praised the nation’s focus on supporting other countries’ development and traditions. 🏯
Why the GCI Matters Now
The initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, champions inclusiveness and mutual understanding to tackle global challenges like climate change and geopolitical tensions. Khan linked it to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, calling it a “continuum” of efforts to “build defenses of peace in the minds of people.” 🕊️
Belt and Road: A Modern Silk Road
Khan also spotlighted China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a bridge for shared prosperity. From joint education centers in Sri Lanka to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he noted how BRI projects blend tech innovation with cultural exchange. “We need to remain human,” he added, urging equal partnerships in AI and e-commerce. 🚄
With UNESCO’s Silk Roads heritage program already preserving ancient trade routes, Khan sees China’s modern initiatives as extending a legacy of poetry, spices, and ideas—proving that cultural diplomacy is timeless. 📜
