In a speech delivered at école polytechnique in Paris on
Tuesday, visiting Premier?Wen
Jiabao called for respect for different civilizations in
efforts to build a harmonious world, and vowed that the policy of
reform and opening up will continue in China's modernization
drive.
"Every nation has her soul in culture -- the roots on which she
depends for survival and progress. For either the Chinese nation or
the French nation, the cultures that we inherit and carry forward
are the roots of the nation and soul of the state," said Wen.
On the concept of he, the Chinese word meaning harmony or peace,
Wen said it holds the key to the coexistence and development of
different civilizations -- peace among states, good neighborliness
among individuals and harmony between humanity and nature.
Cultural diversity is an objective reality in this world and
only when it is respected will civilizations progress, he said.
"On this planet where we live, there are more than 6 billion
people, over 200 countries, more than 2,500 ethnic groups, over
6,000 languages and many religions such as Christianity, Islam,
Buddhism and Taoism. Thanks to the interdependence and
intercommunion of different civilizations, we are now living in a
colorful world," he said.
"To deliver an authentic harmony among individuals, we must
increase productivity and eradicate poverty to bring prosperity to
all. We must achieve social equity and justice, adhere to the
principle of equality of all before the law, defend and safeguard
human rights," he said.
"We must encourage tolerance and respect among people of
different ethnic groups and faiths, be friendly with others and
treat neighbors as partners," he said.
"The survival of humanity depends on resources and
environment...It is in the common interests of humanity to take
care of and do good to Nature," he said.
French Education Minister Gilles de Robien and école
polytechnique's president Xavier Michel said exchanges and
cooperation with China are a priority for French education.
Wen arrived in France on Sunday for a four-day official visit,
the first leg of his five-nation European-Asian tour, which will
also take him to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Portugal and
Malaysia.
The premier will also attend the 9th Summit between China and
ASEAN and the 1st East Asian Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
?
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2005)
