Greece and China, two of the world’s most enduring civilizations, are further cementing their bond through a renewed focus on cultural dialogue and heritage preservation.
The recent “Civilization Dialogue of Ancient Capitals” event, themed “Civilization and Peace: From the Parthenon to the Old Summer Palace,” served as a powerful testament to this growing partnership. Hosted in two significant locations—Athens on June 10 and Beijing on June 14—the event brought together experts and scholars from both nations to discuss the vital topics of heritage preservation and innovation.
Xie Bing, the deputy director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, eloquently captured the essence of this historical connection. “The cultures and philosophies of these two ancient civilizations have illuminated each other, and their influence continues to resonate globally, jointly composing a magnificent epic of mutual learning between civilizations,” he was quoted as saying by China Daily.
This mutual learning, as Xie highlighted at the Beijing forum, has seen cultural relic preservation emerge as a key area of bilateral collaboration since the early 21st century.
The cooperation was formally solidified in 2008 with a landmark memorandum of understanding aimed at combating the theft, illegal excavation, and illicit import and export of cultural artifacts.
Since then, Greece and China have engaged in extensive collaboration across cultural heritage preservation, exhibition, and exchange, with experts from both sides providing mutual support in restoration efforts and facilitating artifact exchanges for exhibitions.
Future collaboration between China and Greece
Looking ahead, Xie outlined three key proposals to further strengthen this cooperation: enhancing dialogue and mutual understanding, undertaking collaborative projects, and participating in the global governance of cultural heritage.
He emphasized the importance of direct institutional partnerships:
“Dialogue and exchange in the field of world cultural heritage should be strengthened, and a model for twinning UNESCO World Heritage Sites should be built, so as to encourage heritage conservation institutions and local governments in China and Greece to establish friendly relations.”
According to China Daily, he further stressed the benefit of shared knowledge, stating: “It is important to deepen exchanges on conservation concepts, management mechanisms, and preservation techniques, so that we can broaden our perspectives and learn from each other’s strengths.”
Shared heritage, global responsibility
Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, underscored the universal significance of sites like the Parthenon and the Old Summer Palace in a video address.
He described them as “reminders of the rich tapestry of human civilization” and “shared human heritage that calls for joint protection.”
Chatterjee eloquently stated, “These sites are not merely relics of the past. They are living narratives that continue to inspire dialogue, understanding and cooperation among people.” He strongly advocated for intercultural dialogue, recognizing culture as not only a source of identity and pride but also “a powerful force for peace, dignity, and sustainable development.”
To propel the “Civilization Dialogue of Ancient Capitals” initiative forward, the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation established a dedicated fund at the Beijing forum.
Building on the discussions, Xiong Chengyu, senior professor at the Communication University of China and chair of the forum, unveiled an initiative from the organizing committee to champion Sino-Greek dialogue.
This initiative proposes the creation of new platforms for inter-civilizational dialogue, encouragement of people-to-people cultural exchanges, exploration of innovative digital empowerment methods, and the embrace of inclusivity among diverse civilizations, all aimed at deepening mutual learning and promoting shared human values.
The historical legacy in Greece-China relations
As the article from China Daily, “Sense of history unites China and Greece in quest for future global harmony,” aptly highlights, the profound sense of history shared by China and Greece acts as a powerful unifying force.
For millennia, both nations have stood as continuous cultures, with figures such as Confucius and Herodotus, and Zhang Qian and Strabo, venturing beyond their homelands in pursuit of knowledge and exchange.
This shared legacy of exploration and intellectual curiosity continues to inspire their collaborative quest for future global harmony.
Related: Dragon Boat Festival Unites China and Greece in Historic Race
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