Experts underscore harmony, mutual understanding among civilizations at cultural forum

Scholars and officials from across the world gathered in the Chinese coastal city of Taizhou on Saturday for an annual forum marking the concept of harmony and cooperation, with a strong call for mutual understanding and win-win partnerships to tackle common challenges.

Hundreds of international guests from more than 30 countries attended the 2024 Global Forum on HeHe Culture in Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. The theme for this year's event was "Harmony Culture and the New Form of Human Civilization."

HeHe, a concept rooted in Confucian thought, embodies the ideals of harmony and cooperation.

"We are now at a critical time in the prelude to a great change that has not been seen for a century. It is of great significance for us to advocate the concept of HeHe (harmony and cooperation) at this point, in the hope of building an ideal order for the future by discussing with all peoples in a harmonious and collaborative way. It is not only an ideal goal, but also a realistic methodology," said Peng Yongjie, president of the Confucius Institute of Renmin University of China, in an interview with China Central Television on the sidelines of the forum.

In addressing the forum, Yu Tao, deputy director-general of the Foreign Languages Bureau of China, stressed the growing significance of harmony and cooperation in a world fraught with risks.

"The culture of HeHe (harmony and cooperation) can nurture strengths for maintaining peace and tranquility, while promoting win-win cooperation and mutual exchange and learning among civilizations," Yu said.

Three international "ambassadors" who have contributed to the promotion of HeHe culture were named during the forum.

As the birthplace of HeHe culture, Taizhou signed an initiative to deep cultural, economic, and trade exchanges and cooperation with the mayors of 14 cities from more than 10 countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Greece and Serbia.

Guests were also invited to experience travel on high-speed trains and visit Taizhou's historical Jiazhi old street.

"Chinese civilization has always pursued peace and harmony. The culture of harmony has become a shining mark of Zhejiang's cultural lineage and an important driving force for social development here," said Wang Wenxu, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, when addressing the event.

Experts underscore harmony, mutual understanding among civilizations at cultural forum

China is experiencing a surge in outdoor and sporting activities which serve as a powerful catalyst for consumption and economic growth.

In Baoding City, north China's Hebei Province, residents are flocking to a local sports center for their fitness fix. Activities such as tug-of-war, balance bike racing, and pickleball are igniting public enthusiasm for sports.

"Pickleball is such a vibrant and enjoyable sport. It allows us not only to experience the joy of sports but also to appreciate the power of teamwork. I hope there will be more events like this in the future so that pickleball can gain wider popularity in Baoding," said Guo Yingqiu, a pickleball enthusiast.

While sports focus on physical activities, they also help boost the local economy. Streets surrounding the sports center were packed with vendors selling products like table tennis rackets and snacks.

Chinese cities have also benefited from hosting sporting events. Over the past month, China hosted several international competitions, including the 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing. Ticket sales exceeded 80 million yuan (over 11.3 million U.S. dollars), reflecting a 60 percent increase from the previous year.

This year's tournament also attracted more sponsorships. The 2024 Wuhan Open saw a rise in viewership and revenue, driven by an influx of out-of-town visitors. Of the 180,000 spectators, more than 44 percent traveled to Wuhan for the tournament, contributing significantly to the local economy, particularly in the food and hospitality sectors.

"Sports events are a powerful tool for fostering new types of consumption and expanding existing markets. Moving forward, we aim to develop the sports event economy by creating an ecosystem that unleashes the sector's potential and cultivates a sustainable consumer market," said Chen Jie, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports.

Latest reports indicate that bookings for outdoor sports in the first half of this year surged by nearly 60 percent. With the winter sports season approaching, China anticipates further growth in the sports sector nationwide.

Rise of fitness events in China to fuel economic growth