On July 15, the China-Greece Dialogue on Exchange and Mutual Learning of Civilizations was successfully organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). Jiang Jiang, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; G. Iliopoulos, Ambassador of Greece to China; Zhao Guocheng, Deputy General-Director of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation; Xia Wenbin, President of the University of International Business and Economics; Wang Qiang, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of China in Greece; and Constantine N. Yannidis, Vice President of the Hellenic-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended the event and delivered speeches. Nearly 200 people, both online and offline, participated in it.
Jiang Jiang said that both China and Greece have a long and splendid ancient civilization, and both civilizations advocate mutual respect and equal treatment, attach importance to openness and tolerance, mutual learning and appreciation, and emphasize the reverence for knowledge and the pursuit of truth. In the face of the unprecedented changes in the past century, we can draw wisdom from the values shared by the two ancient civilizations, regard diversity with respect, embrace globalization with an open mind, and uphold justice with a spirit of commitment. He urged the young people attending the event to be the inheritors of their own civilizations and the promoters of the harmonious coexistence of the different countries' civilizations, and to pool the wisdom and strength of the young generation to contribute to the cause of human progress.
Zhao Guocheng said that people-to-people communication is an important way for civilizations to exchange and learn from each other, and effective communication between people depends on language. The epidemic has changed people's way of life and learning, but the willingness of people from all countries to learn each other's languages and improve mutual understanding has not changed. In October 2020, the world's first "Online Chinese Language Classroom" was established at the University of the Aegean in Greece, which is not only a practical achievement for educational cooperation and exchange between the two countries, but also a vivid reflection of the their adherence to the spirit of mutual appreciation of civilizations and the continuous enrichment of their comprehensive strategic partnership. "Exchange Language, Embrace Civilization." China is willing to work with Greek friends to strengthen language exchange and cooperation, and contribute to the development of Sino-Greek friendship.
Iliopoulos said that this dialogue will further enhance the understanding and friendship between Chinese and Greek people. Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece, the two countries have established friendly political relations and close civil communication. We hope that both sides, especially the young people of both countries, will work together to continuously promote Sino-Greek relations.
The guests exchanged and shared their views on Sino-Greek language exchange and cooperation, youth interaction and dialogue, and the promotion of the Olympic spirit. Xia Wenbin, President of the University of International Business and Economics; Papadakis, Vice President of the Athens University of Economics and Business; and Roland, Director of the Confucius Institute at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, shared their experiences in language learning, communication and interaction, deepening friendship and mutual appreciation of civilization. Zheng Xiong, Vice Chairman of Beijing Youth Federation, and Aris Spiliotopoulos, Deputy Mayor of Olympia, shared relevant activities held by the two cities from the perspective of Olympic spirit inheritance and uniting youthful vitality. The youth representatives of both countries shared their experiences in learning languages and expressed their love for the languages of Greece and China and their eager expectation for deeper exchanges between their friends.
At the end of the event, Greek students played Chinese music entitled "To Roll up the Bead Curtain" with traditional instruments and Chinese youth representatives recited modern Greek poetry "Santorini" in Greek. (cited and source from Center for Language Education and Cooperation)
