我坚信，文明之间必将合作。我们生活在同一个世界，共享同一个星球。我们注定要携手合作，将文明进一步融合为全球协同。这是我的信念。

Author: An Yingzhao, Cui Bailu, Pei Xinyu

The Second Tongzhou Global Development Forum, hosted by Renmin University of China, was held in Beijing from [specific dates], bringing together over a thousand Chinese and foreign guests from nearly 30 countries. The participants engaged in dialogue and discussions centered around the theme "Building a Community of Development for All, Co-creating a New Era for Humanity."

"The 'Clash of Civilizations' theory has serious flaws, and 'civilizational conflict' is not inevitable." During the forum, Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and President of the World Leadership Alliance, pointed out in an interview with China News Service's "East-West Question" that although "civilizational conflict" is a real historical phenomenon and issue, it is by no means an inevitability.

The Second Tongzhou Global Development Forum, hosted by Renmin University of China, was held in Beijing on the specified dates. Pictured is Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and President of the World Leaders Association, delivering a speech at the forum on the specified day. Photo by Pei Xinyu.

Türk emphasized: "I am convinced that cooperation between civilizations is inevitable. We live in the same world, share the same planet. We are destined to work together to further integrate civilizations into global synergy."

The following is a summary of the interview transcript:

Reporter from China News Service: The Second Tongzhou Global Development Forum was held in Beijing, where you were invited to attend, deliver a speech, and were appointed as the Chairman of the Forum. How do you understand the theme of this forum, "Building a Community of Development for a New Era of Humanity"?

Danilo Türk: The world is going through a very severe period of crisis and turmoil. Relevant think tank research report data shows that there are currently multiple armed conflicts occurring around the world, and economic and political policies often differ greatly. Therefore, what is truly needed is the effort to unite the world and promote a shared vision of development.

China is in the process of striving to achieve this goal. Over the past few decades, China has achieved historic development, and this progress has enabled the world to think more positively about global development issues. I have worked at the United Nations, and when we were reviewing the Millennium Development Goals, we were unsure if progress could be made, but later, when we looked at global statistics, we found that progress had indeed been made.

This progress is largely due to China, whose historic development has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty and made it a key partner for the entire world, including developing countries.

We have seen how China's leadership has helped achieve global goals. Now, it is crucial to elevate the development of both China and the world to a higher level. I believe the time is ripe for efforts to achieve this goal.

Reporter from China News Service: Over the past three years, China has consecutively proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. In your view, what is the internal logic of the "Three Global Initiatives"?

Danilo Türk: These three initiatives are well received in the international community because they reflect China's profound insights into global challenges: concerted efforts are essential to ensure global development and security. Without a solid foundation of security, global development cannot be truly realized. Therefore, the proposal of the Global Security Initiative is crucial for the realization of the Global Development Initiative, and it enriches the connotation of development. Development should not be narrowly defined as the growth of GDP and the reduction of poverty rates; it is more about the comprehensive progress of society and the security of the people. If people do not feel secure, they cannot truly enjoy development.

The world is currently facing a severe situation, with multiple armed conflicts occurring globally. This indeed calls for strong global action, and if these actions are successful, they will contribute to global development.

The Second Tongzhou Global Development Forum, hosted by Renmin University of China, was held in Beijing from Day to Day. Pictured is Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and President of the World Leaders Association, delivering a speech at the forum on Day. Photo provided by Renmin University of China.

Obviously, the current world must discuss the state of global civilization and its future. All of humanity belongs to a single biological species. Now, this species lives in various cultural environments, at different levels of development, and under various political arrangements. Unifying these and understanding what can make human civilization better is not easy. So, effort is needed. This effort has been made in the past, but much of it has been quite limited.

For instance, human rights are a significant achievement in human civilization, yet they are also interpreted in a rather narrow, legalistic manner, or dominated by certain political agendas. Human rights are abused in various ways, including being misinterpreted for the purpose of political struggle.

Therefore, a broader framework of civilization is needed, a Global Civilization Initiative. In the West, there has been much recent discussion about the "clash of civilizations." We cannot help but ask, is the "clash of civilizations" real? Is it necessary? What is civilization? Do we not actually belong to a universal global civilization? All of these require further discussion and development into meaningful policies. So I believe the three global initiatives proposed by China are very welcome and timely.

On a certain date, Danilo Tuerk, former President of Slovenia, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and President of the World Leaders Association, was interviewed by China News Service's "East-West Question" during the second Tongzhou Global Development Forum. Photo by Pei Xinyu.

Reporter from China News Service: In the context of the accelerating evolution of the global situation, theories such as "clash of civilizations," "zero-sum game," and "de-risking" are gaining traction in some Western countries; China, on the other hand, adheres to a view of civilization that emphasizes equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness, advocating for respect for the diversity of world civilizations. What do you think the mutual learning between East and West means for the development of human civilization? How should different civilizations interact with each other?

Danilo Türk: This is clearly a very important issue. I believe that the "clash of civilizations" theory proposed some years ago has serious flaws, and a "clash of civilizations" is not inevitable. Conflicts between civilizations may occur, and conflicts have indeed occurred in the past. While the "clash of civilizations" is a real historical phenomenon and issue, it is by no means an inevitability. Civilizations can coexist, cooperate, mutually promote each other, and lead the world towards a better future. The diversity of civilizations does not necessarily mean conflict. Therefore, I believe that political leaders must propose meaningful alternatives. Personally, I see no reason why the Western civilization to which I and my people belong must clash with Chinese civilization. On the contrary, civilizations can learn from each other, and we can benefit from China's great achievements when we see them. Of course, we must have flexible political thinking to see what can drive everyone forward. Although this is not easy, nor is it a simple matter.

Reporter from China News Service: It is reported that you were recently invited to attend the China International Friendship Conference and the anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. What role do you believe people-to-people diplomacy plays in today's international exchanges?

Danilo Türk: People-to-people diplomacy is a field with immense potential that has yet to be fully realized. Unfortunately, global communication has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not yet fully recovered.

I firmly believe that civilizations will inevitably cooperate. We live in the same world, share the same planet. We are destined to work together, further integrating our civilizations into a global synergy. This is my conviction.

In fact, this is the condition for our common existence, sooner or later, we will all reach that ideal place. Therefore, it is gratifying that people now have such thoughts, and this idea is being strengthened. Communication between people is very important and must be prioritized, because people need to travel, visit other countries, need to make comparisons, and need to gain a practical impression of what is happening elsewhere.

We are in a period where we must place greater emphasis on mutual communication than ever before. China's adjustment of its visa policy is an excellent way to achieve this, as nothing has a more profound impact than seeing things with one's own eyes.

People are often told that China is this or that. But when they come to China, they can see the true face of China for themselves and learn the real situation through interactions with the Chinese people. Therefore, I fully support and believe that it is necessary to expand people-to-people exchanges and interactions. The situation in Europe is similar. Europe is basically made up of many small countries, but now, within the space of the European Union, people-to-people exchanges have made our development speed far exceed what it was in the past.

Reporter from China News Service: From a cultural perspective, what suggestions do you have for enhancing cultural exchanges between China and Europe?

Danilo Turk: In Europe, the cultural value of Chinese classical art is highly appreciated, and its aesthetic value is beyond dispute. The question is more about what contemporary art brings and what its trends are. How can it help to build a global cultural community?

I believe there is significant potential for innovation and cooperation between Europe and China. For example, we could facilitate the dispatch of hundreds of Chinese artists to various locations across Europe for artistic creation, while simultaneously inviting hundreds of artists from different European countries to come to China, where they can be inspired by new cultural environments. Such exchanges would be highly beneficial for both Europeans and Chinese.

I also believe that in the fields of film, television, visual production, digital production, and others, we need more innovation and the introduction of new technologies to achieve new breakthroughs. These areas offer vast potential, which is also part of civil exchanges and interactions. I am confident that this is entirely feasible, especially in today's era.

CNS reporter: As an old friend who has visited China multiple times over the years, what changes in China have left a deep impression on you?

Danilo Turk: I came to China at the end of the century, which was about several decades ago. When I returned to China and traveled from the Beijing airport to the city, I witnessed many new buildings rising and numerous new things emerging. The country was undergoing a very active transformation.

I have visited Fujian's Xiamen and parts of Sichuan, where the developmental achievements left a deep impression on me. I once ventured into a farm within the Kubuqi Desert, witnessing firsthand how Chinese experts are combating desertification, which also left a profound impact on me.

It is evident that China has demonstrated tremendous vitality over the past decades, a vitality that has been driving national transformation and bringing significant opportunities to the world. Therefore, I am optimistic about the future and do not believe that war is inevitable. With conflicts occurring in some regions, this is precisely the moment for China and Western countries to come together, to jointly explore ways to prevent such events and to end these harmful conflicts for all.

I believe that such a mode of cooperation is not impossible. The current situation is indeed quite challenging, as there are various ideological factors and political interests to consider. But sooner or later, a more cooperative and universally acceptable approach will ultimately prevail.

On a certain date, Danilo Türk, former President of Slovenia, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and President of the World Leaders Association, was interviewed by China News Service's "East & West" during the Tongzhou Global Development Forum. After the interview, Türk reviewed the English book of "East & West" and gave it high praise. Photo by Pei Xinyu.

Reporter from China News Service: In which areas do you plan to engage in exchanges and cooperation with China in the future?

Danilo Türk: Many fields can be the subject of cooperation. For example, the energy sector is one of them. How to improve global energy cooperation to ensure that global warming is curbed is a topic of interest to all of us, so there must be a way to help us achieve this common goal.

This is a very practical and urgent cooperative task. About three to four decades ago, such cooperation was not possible because each country had its own energy policies and priorities. In the past, people did not consider global impacts much, but now, everyone is forced to think about these, and everyone should be interested in the new level of cooperation.

Currently, the global trade system is, to some extent, in a state of paralysis, which I find concerning. This also reminds us of the need to re-examine reforms and to embrace deeper cooperation with an open mind. There are many other areas that urgently require cooperation. I firmly believe that international cooperation is the only true path to the survival of the world.

Interviewee Profile:*

达尼洛·图尔克克接受《东西问》记者专访。裴心语 摄达尼洛·图尔克（Danilo Türk），斯洛文尼亚前总统、联合国原副秘书长、世界领袖联盟主席。第二届通州·全球发展论坛期间，受聘为论坛理事长。

Title: "Danilo Türk: I firmly believe that cooperation between civilizations is inevitable - East and West Ask" Text Editor: Wang Suning Photo Editor: Cui Chuqiao Layout: Dai Shuo Editor-in-Chief: Song Fangcan

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