Photo taken on June 9, 2025 shows Yang Lan delivering a keynote speech at the thematic dialogue titled "Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations, Strengthening Global Solidarity and Cooperation" at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

June 10, 2025 marked the first International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, and a series of events under the theme "Civilizational Exchanges and Mutual Learning" was launched at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

During a thematic dialogue titled "Promoting Dialogue Among Civilizations, Strengthening Global Solidarity and Cooperation," representatives from the permanent missions to the United Nations of Egypt, Peru, Spain and Uzbekistan shared their views and reached a consensus that "dialogue among civilizations is not optional but essential." Chinese cultural representative Yang Lan delivered a speech titled "The Wisdom of Chinese Creation," interpreting the global significance of Chinese civilization from four dimensions: "unity of human and nature," "harmony without uniformity," "the creative spirit of craftsmanship," and "the people-oriented thinking."

In a recent exclusive interview with China News Release, Yang Lan shared her observations and insights from her international communication practices, discussing how to better enhance the presence of Chinese civilization in global civilizational exchanges and mutual learning.

China News Release: What impressed you the most when speaking at the United Nations podium this time?

Yang Lan: My takeaway from this event was that dialogue among civilizations is extremely valuable. In today's world where regional wars and conflicts occur frequently, there is an urgent need to establish a platform dedicated to such dialogue. Unlike traditional political and military exchanges, culture, as a deep-rooted spiritual foundation, holds a more impactful and enduring power that can truly bridge divides. This event attracted nearly 20 ambassadors, demonstrating the potential of dialogue among civilizations. By fostering people-to-people bonds with an attitude of equality, such efforts can inject much-needed stability into the turbulent world.

My speech this time reminded me of my experiences in the two bids for the Olympic Games. In 2001, I made a presentation on the Olympic cultural project for Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games; and in 2015, I presented the market development plan for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The Olympic bid addresses were more ceremonial, while the speech at the United Nations allowed for personal expression in a more relaxed atmosphere.