The diversity of the world’s civilizations is a basic hallmark of human society and an important driving force that propels human progress. Our world today has over 6 billion inhabitants living in more than 200 countries and regions. They break down into over 2,500 ethnic groups and speak more than 5,000 different languages. Because of the difference in historical tradition, faith and culture, or social system, values and level of development, those countries or regions are often different from one another. It is these differences that make our planet dazzling, colorful and bustling with life. Such diversity is a legacy of history and will stay with us into the future. Instead of harboring bias against or deliberately belittling other civilizations, we should give full respect to the diversity of civilizations all over the world. Instead of shutting each other out in mutual exclusion, we should encourage dialogues and exchanges between civilizations so that they can learn from each other in mutual emulation. Instead of demanding uniformity and imposing one’s will on others, we should promote common development of all civilizations in the course of mutual tolerance and seeking agreement while shelving differences.
With the globalization of economy and the advancement in new, scientific and technological revolution, the interconnection and interdependence between countries are developing in depth, but this doesn’t mean allowing of ignoring and weakening the status and role of a nation’s sovereignty. It is necessary to have greater democracy in international relations. Practice indicates that the disregard for other countries’ sovereignty, the practice of the big oppressing the small and the strong bullying the weak and the pursuance of hegemonism and power politics won’t work.