China Opens Cultural Dialogue with Arab World at Cairo Civilizations Forum

The Nishan Forum on Classical Civilizations Between China and the Arab World was officially launched in Cairo, with prominent participation from scholars and intellectuals representing both regions. The announcement was made by Guo Qingyan, Deputy Director of the Nishan Center for Confucian Studies, during the opening of this high-level cultural forum held as a parallel session to the Nishan World Forum on Civilizations. This year’s edition is hosted in the Egyptian capital under the theme of promoting dialogue between Chinese and Arab classical civilizations.

In her address, Guo expressed gratitude to the Egyptian hosts and participants, praising Cairo as a city of profound historical and cultural legacy. She emphasized that selecting Egypt as the host reflects China's deep respect for Arab civilization and its commitment to building enduring bridges of intellectual and cultural understanding with the Arab world.

Guo described the forum as a global platform for civilizational dialogue initiated by China out of a strong belief in the power of mutual understanding. She recalled the inaugural Nishan Forum held in September in Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius, which welcomed over 300 scholars from 51 countries. The first parallel forum was held in South Korea in May, and the second now takes place in Egypt—"the heart of the Arab world"—highlighting the deep historical ties between the two civilizations.

She noted that Chinese-Arab cultural exchange spans over a thousand years, rooted in active knowledge-sharing, trade, and scientific collaboration along the Silk Road. This included contributions in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and travel, as documented by historic figures such as Ibn Battuta. Guo stressed that both civilizations have significantly advanced humanity by upholding shared values such as ethics, knowledge, tolerance, and the dignity of the individual.

Guo stated that one of the forum’s primary goals is to counter the notion that civilizations must clash. Instead, she emphasized that dialogue and coexistence lead to integration and harmony, and that mutual respect is essential for building a peaceful and prosperous global future. She called for expanded institutional partnerships, including reciprocal translations of classical texts, joint research, and academic exchanges between Chinese and Arab institutions. These efforts, she said, would deepen mutual understanding and foster a new era of cross-cultural cooperation.

She noted that the forum is supported by a broad alliance of Chinese and Arab institutions, including the Nishan Center for Confucian Studies, the Chinese Institute for Classical Civilization, Cairo University, the Supreme Council of Culture, and the Chinese Embassy in Egypt—enhancing its cultural and diplomatic impact.

In his remarks, Professor Feng Jikang, President of Shandong Normal University, introduced the Confucian concept of “shared beauty” as a vision for global harmony. He explored the ancient idea of Datong—"Great Unity"—as described by Confucius in the Book of Rites, where a just society is governed by virtue, honesty, and peaceful coexistence. Feng quoted Confucius’s vision of a world without division or fear, where capable and ethical leaders are chosen, and neighbors live in trust and mutual respect.

He noted that this concept has shaped Chinese thought for over two millennia and remains relevant today, forming part of China’s modern vision for a shared future for humanity. He cited Chinese sociologist Fei Xiaotong’s phrase: “Each has its beauty, and by appreciating each other’s beauty, we achieve harmony.” Feng stressed that such values are not abstract ideals but practical principles rooted in ancient wisdom, offering real solutions to today’s divided world.

He recalled President Xi Jinping’s speech at the United Nations in 2015, where peace, justice, equality, democracy, and freedom were identified as shared human values. Feng concluded by urging the global community to adopt the philosophy of shared beauty, overcome isolationism, and work collectively to build a fairer, more ethical world grounded in respect and cooperation.

The opening session was attended by leading academics, cultural figures, and Chinese experts in Arab studies, enriching the forum with intellectual diversity and depth. The event marked a significant step in promoting cultural diplomacy and reaffirming the historical friendship between the Chinese and Arab peoples.