Former Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos (on stage) speaks during a forum on intercultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations to mark the 20th anniversary of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership in Athens, Greece, May 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

A forum on intercultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations to mark the 20th anniversary of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership was held here on Thursday.

The forum, themed "The Beauty of Harmony: Coexistence through Integration," was jointly hosted by Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Embassy in Greece and the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, said that the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. As China's national news agency, Xinhua has always been committed to telling stories of practical and friendly cooperation as well as intercultural dialogue and mutual learning between the two civilizations.

At a critical crossroads concerning the future of humanity, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a world where "the light of civilization illuminates the right path for human progress," Lyu said.

Lyu said that as an important bridge for people-to-people communication and a vital force in promoting dialogue among civilizations, the media shoulders unique social responsibilities. Looking ahead, Xinhua is ready to work with Chinese and Greek partners to jointly uphold the vision of civilization based on equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness, actively carry forward the common values of humanity, promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and contribute to mutual learning among civilizations.

He noted that the Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, on Thursday released a report titled "The Theory of Cultural Empowerment: China's Cultural Consciousness in Marching Toward High-Quality Development."

The report is not only a practical reflection on China's continuous promotion of cultural empowerment for high-quality development, but also provides intellectual support for countries around the world to achieve sustainable economic and social development and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Lyu said.

Former Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the anniversary marked an important milestone in Greece-China cooperation. The two sides have achieved fruitful results in trade, economic and investment cooperation, while further deepening a multidimensional partnership centered on civilizational exchange and dialogue, he said, adding that cooperation between the two sides has broad prospects.

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Fang Qiu said that looking ahead, China and Greece will strengthen strategic alignment, advance cooperation in such areas as digital infrastructure, green transition and smart manufacturing, continuously deepen mutual learning among civilizations and practical cooperation, and promote mutual empowerment in culture, trade and economy.

About 150 representatives from the two countries' governments, media outlets, cultural institutions, research organizations and enterprises attended the forum.

Participants exchanged views on the historical legacy and contemporary practice of exchanges between Chinese and Greek civilizations, as well as on strengthening the cultural and people-to-people foundations for improving global governance through dialogue among civilizations. They also visited a photo exhibition dedicated to the anniversary.

Former Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos said the significance of the Greece-China comprehensive strategic partnership has become increasingly evident as the international order undergoes profound changes. The friendship between Greece and China has endured and grown stronger, while the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has brought tangible development benefits to Greece, he added.

Tang Wei, deputy head of China's National Cultural Heritage Administration, said cultural heritage cooperation has become a distinctive feature of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership. He added that fruitful cooperation in the field has played an important role in promoting people-to-people exchanges and carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Before the forum opened, Xinhua Publishing House, the publishing arm of Xinhua News Agency, and Greece's Papazisis Publishers signed a copyright licensing agreement for the Greek-language edition of the first volume of "China's Governance Under Xi Jinping's Leadership."

Guests participate in a forum on intercultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations to mark the 20th anniversary of the China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership in Athens, Greece, May 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Lyu You)