International Desk: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with UNESCO Director-General Dr. Khaled El-Enany at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, May 12.

During the meeting, President Xi noted that UNESCO has made significant contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and trust among peoples around the world, while promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. He praised the organization’s positive role in global governance in the fields of education, science and culture, reaffirming China’s strong support for UNESCO’s work.

Xi stated that China and UNESCO have already worked together extensively in safeguarding world peace and advancing global development. China, he said, is willing to further deepen strategic cooperation with UNESCO for the benefit of people across all nations.

The Chinese president emphasized that although the global trend toward peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit remains unchanged, challenges such as Cold War mentality, hegemonism and unilateralism have once again emerged, placing the global governance system at a critical crossroads. He stressed that China firmly supports genuine multilateralism, upholds the authority of the United Nations, and backs UNESCO’s important role in global governance.

Xi also expressed China’s readiness to work with UNESCO in implementing the country’s four global initiatives, aiming to help people worldwide share the benefits of advances in education, science and culture, better address common challenges facing humanity, and jointly promote the building of a “community with a shared future for mankind.”

He further called for deeper cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), open science and digital education. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of respecting the diversity of civilizations, encouraging mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among cultures, strengthening cooperation with countries of the Global South, and advancing cultural heritage protection and intercultural exchanges.

Director-General Khaled El-Enany expressed honor at visiting China for the first time in his capacity as UNESCO chief. He voiced hope that UNESCO member states would continue working together in support of dialogue and cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, expand cultural exchanges, and build a UNESCO dedicated to serving humanity.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also present at the meeting.

Source: Lili–Touhid–Swarna, China Media Group.