Building a Bridge for Mutual Learning between Chinese and Western Civilizations Together

On the banks of the Aegean Sea during the summer season, the sunshine is bright and the breeze is gentle. Recently, the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization held a new site handover ceremony in Athens, the capital of Greece. Dionysius Mancavinos, Vice President of Strategic Internationalization and External Cooperation at the University of Patras in Greece, congratulated the opening of the new office of the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization. He believed that the cultural exchanges between Greece and China have a long history, and the two sides have known each other well, providing more possibilities for strengthening cultural cooperation.

Shouldering the important mission of promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning between the East and the West

The Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization is the first classical civilization research institution from an Asian country established in Greece, aiming to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, promote in-depth research on Greek civilization in various periods and other civilizations in the world by the Chinese academic community, promote the dissemination of Chinese civilization in the world, and promote the development and progress of human civilization. In November 2024, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the first World Congress of Classical Studies, stating that the establishment of the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization in Athens provided a new platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Greece, as well as countries around the world.

Greece and China are both ancient civilizations, and although they have faced many challenges, they have always been committed to maintaining peace and stability. "Former Greek President Pavlopoulos said at the handover ceremony that in recent years, Greece China economic cooperation has developed rapidly and its scale has continued to expand, and cultural exchange and cooperation are of utmost importance. The Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization has become a link between the spiritual civilization of Greece and China, and an important platform for mutual learning of civilizations. The current international situation is turbulent, and the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization shoulders the important mission of promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.

Li Xinwei, the President of the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization, stated that the new site of the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization will provide a solid foundation for long-term cooperation and in-depth research between Chinese and foreign scholars. Since its establishment, the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization has been actively contacting and interacting with Greek universities and classical research institutions established in Athens by various countries, and has obtained archaeological qualification authorization from the Greek government. We strive to launch the excavation project led by Chinese institutions as soon as possible, and plan to select young Chinese scholars to participate in practical training, promote China's archaeological technology, strengthen the dissemination of Chinese civilization in Greece and the West, and make a Chinese voice heard in the study of world classical studies. In his view, this is not only an academic attempt, but also a breakthrough in the dialogue between civilizations.

George Kuznetsovrakis, Associate Professor of Underwater Archaeology at the University of Thessaly in Greece, is looking forward to the cooperation between the two countries in the field of joint archaeology. He stated that although Greece has made significant progress in underwater archaeology, there are still a large number of unexplored sunken ships due to the vast sea area. He emphasized that systematically recording and protecting underwater cultural heritage, especially in areas where trade and shipping have been frequent throughout history but have not yet been thoroughly explored, remains an important task for Greek underwater archaeology. Considering the limited professional strength, international cooperation is particularly important

The most vivid and concrete manifestation of mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations

On the day of the relocation of the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization to its new location, a variety of activities were also held. On the lawn inside the courtyard, the themed exhibition "Opening the Door to Mutual Learning between Eastern and Western Civilizations" takes time as the thread, juxtaposing the development process of Chinese civilization and ancient Greek civilization. From the unique replica of the bronze owl statue from the Fu Hao Tomb to the relief images of Greek temples, and to the recent archaeological achievements at the Sanxingdui site, the two major civilizations in the long river of history are presented intuitively and vividly.

The first complete restoration of the complex crown of the Tubo period unearthed from Tomb No.1 in Quangou, Qinghai; Tang Dynasty pottery dragon head architectural components unearthed from the site of Xiong'an Guzhou City; Research results on bronze alloy technology based on the Erlitou site; Plant archaeology confirms the continuous utilization of China's native grape plant resources for thousands of years - the Key Laboratory of Science and Technology Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Protection of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has released four latest achievements, demonstrating the continuous breakthroughs in interdisciplinary integration and technological innovation in the Chinese archaeological community. These achievements not only demonstrate the deep mutual learning between Chinese civilization and world civilization, but also showcase the unique research and historical interpretation perspectives of Chinese archaeology to Greece and even the world.

Maria Terzudi, the head of exhibitions, liaison, and education at the National Archaeological Museum of Greece, stated that the museum has achieved many results in exhibition planning, digital cooperation, and scientific research with institutions such as the National Museum of China in recent years, "becoming the most vivid and concrete manifestation of mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations. She expressed that the National Archaeological Museum of Greece is willing to continue contributing to promoting in-depth cooperation between Greece and China in the fields of scientific research and cultural exchange.

After the ceremony, a seminar on "Human Rights Wisdom in Classical Civilization" was held, aiming to explore the human rights wisdom contained in classical civilization from the perspective of mutual learning among civilizations, and provide inspiration and reference for the protection of human rights in the world today. Dionysius Karamvrezos, former Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, stated that ancient Greece and China had a similar understanding of the concept of human rights: "The important values formed in ancient China, such as putting people first and persuading people with virtue, are in line with modern human rights values. China adheres to the people-centered development philosophy and will make greater contributions to global human rights governance

The Global Civilization Initiative has pointed out the direction for strengthening dialogue, communication, and mutual learning among different civilizations

Recently, there have been abundant cultural exchange activities between China and Greece. On June 10th, the first United Nations International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, the "Ancient Capital Civilization Dialogue" exchange event was held in Athens; On June 14th, the "Ancient Capital Civilization Dialogue" exchange activity with the theme of "Civilization and Peace: From the Parthenon Temple to the Yuanmingyuan" was held in Beijing. Experts, scholars, and young students from China and Greece gathered together to trace the roots of civilization, discuss cultural responsibilities under the century old changes, and explore the inheritance, innovation, and dialogue value of ancient civilization in contemporary times.

The former Foreign Minister of Greece and independent expert on the international order of the United Nations Human Rights Council Katrugalos had a profound understanding of dialogue and exchange among civilizations: "Not long ago, the United Nations celebrated the first International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations, and I participated in some of its thematic activities. The world is diverse, and in the context of increased global uncertainty, we must promote dialogue in all forms on the premise of mutual respect. The global civilization initiative proposed by China has pointed out the direction for different civilizations to strengthen dialogue, communication, mutual learning and mutual learning. We should continue to make efforts to better implement this initiative in the future."

Greek international relations scholar Pelagia Capacitaki stated that the philosophical predecessors of Greece and China have similar understandings of social issues such as harmony and morality. Currently, facing increasing global challenges, countries need to strengthen coordination, better embrace cultural diversity, and promote cross disciplinary exchanges and cooperation. The Global Civilization Initiative emphasizes bridging cultural barriers and advocates for valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilization. This is a true declaration of civilization

Pavlos Kantos, Director of the Philosophy Department at Patras University and Deputy Director of the Greek Council of the Sino Greek Civilization Exchange Center, is about to publish a Chinese version of his monograph on Aristotle. He will also travel to China to exchange ideas with readers. He said that both China and Greece are ancient civilizations, and in the past, both sides needed to rely on the research results of scholars from third countries to understand each other's civilizations. Currently, scholars from both countries are working together to change this phenomenon. "With my works published in China, I hope Chinese readers can understand the views of Greek scholars on their own ancestors, and I also look forward to the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization helping the Greek people better understand Chinese classical civilization

As an important institution for promoting people to people exchanges between Greece and China, the achievements of the China Greece Civilization Mutual Learning Center are also steadily advancing. Kontos stated that the third round of enrollment for the China Greece Civilization Comparative International Joint Master's Program, jointly established by the governing bodies of Patras University and Southwest University of China, has begun. The first batch of students is about to graduate, becoming a link in understanding the profound historical and cultural traditions of the two major civilizations in the East and the West. He said, "We look forward to deepening cooperation between the University of Patras and the Sino Greek Center for Cultural Exchange with the Chinese Academy of Classical Civilization in the future, and jointly building a bridge for cultural exchange between Greece and China

(Athens, July 2nd)