Presidenza dellaRepubblicaPresidenza della Repubblica

(Peking University “Beida”, 9 November 2024)

 

Honourable President of Peking University,

Rector Magnificus of the University,

Rectores Magnifici and Illustrious Professors,

dear Students, Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

It is for me a great pleasure to speak at one of China’s most prestigious academic institutions.

Peking University is internationally renowned for being a centre of research both into the extraordinary history of Chinese civilization and on the mainstream dynamics of our modern world.

I thank you for this opportunity.

This forum constitutes a valuable opportunity to reflect together on the relations between China and Italy and on some of the main issues of our times.

Today’s dialogue is part of a constant flow of interactions – practically uninterrupted in centuries – in which the Chinese and Italian people have been key players.

An exchange of experiences, knowledge, merchandise, technologies, innovations, and artistic, aesthetic and even gastronomic contaminations that have contributed to the development of our respective civilizations.

I would even go as far as to say that for thousands of years China and Italy played a significant role in defining the very idea of civilization, intended as the overall situation within which material development on the one hand and moral and intellectual progress on the other advance in parallel.

 

As of antiquity, the Chinese and Italian civilizations intertwined in a fecund cultural exchange.

They made an extraordinarily valuable contribution to the history of Humanity, deeply influencing its development.

They disseminated, multiplied and enriched universal knowledge.  

Suffice it to mention the refined philosophical depth of great master thinkers such as Confucius or Lao-Tse.

And it is no coincidence if, especially from the 17th century on, we find some renowned Italian intellectuals among the greatest disseminators of Chinese knowledge in Europe.

Matteo Ricci, Michele Ruggieri and Prospero Intorcetta were among the very first sinologists in the Western world.

Another Italian, Alessandro Valignano, developed the concepts of “adjustment” and “inculturation” within the framework of the school of thought of Christianity, thus becoming the forebear of intercultural dialogue.

Valignano died in 1606 in Macau, where he had commissioned the construction of St. Paul’s College, whose façade still outlives the corrosion of time, remaining the symbol of the city.

The Chinese and the Italians have opened new economic and commercial routes.

Ever since the time that we define as the Lower Middle Ages – which corresponds to the reign of the Song and Yuan dynasties and of the early Ming emperors – the ancient Silk Road offered one of the first examples of globalization.

Along this ground-breaking route, courageous merchants travelled across continents that were initially very far away.

They traded goods, ideas and knowledge and, in this exchange, they knowingly or unknowingly mutually changed themselves and each other.

 

The symbol of our common history is Marco Polo – who was recalled above – a man rooted in his native Venetian culture and at the same time deeply fascinated by the exceptionally advanced technological level achieved by China.

This year, as President Xi Jinping was so kind to recall last night in the solemnity of the Great Hall of the People, marks the 700th anniversary of the death of this great Venetian.

It is an anniversary that offers the opportunity to recall how knowledge and dialogue between different cultures and civilizations are essential to building a future of peace and prosperity based on mutual respect and openness.

Indeed, culture thrives on mutual enrichment and not only on the reflection of one’s individual roots. It offers the instruments with which to understand the nature of diversity and to enjoy the benefits of dialogue.

Civilization and culture are the pillars of that special relationship that we call “friendship”.

We rightly often refer to this category to describe the age-old relationship between China and Italy.

It is gratifying to think that the personalities that made the history of our relations great – I have already mentioned some of them – were not men in arms but intellectuals, merchants and scientists.

In this way, century by century, we made way for the building of bonds of trust and collaboration.

The extraordinary possibility that Maestro Michelangelo Antonioni had to produce a documentary on Beijing, Suzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai in 1972 is a glaring example of this.

That feature film is part of the history of Chinese and Italian filmmaking.

No less exceptional was the opening of the Forbidden City to Maestro Bernardo Bertolucci. Without access to those marvellous pavilions, he could never have had the possibility of making such a blockbuster movie.

 

The difference of approach or the difference of opinion, if expressed with frankness and with our ears open to listening to one another, can never cast a shadow on friendship.

This is the attitude of anyone who truly wants to build confidence between individuals, peoples and States; a challenging but gratifying effort.

Today we deeply feel the need for this attitude in order to avoid the risk of drawing apart and drawing away from the best version of ourselves in our effort to build modern and mutually supportive societies.

 

Honourable President of Peking University,

Rectores Magnifici,

eminent Professors and dear students:

We are united by a sound and mature relationship, capable of overcoming the ups and downs that the events of any given period may present.

And Universities are a very important component of this friendship; I dare say irreplaceable.

Academic exchanges between China and Italy have achieved significant results.

We are quite rightfully very proud of them, without however losing the ambition to do even more.

The potential to be explored is still huge.

The Italian students who choose to study in China and the Chinese students who travel to Italy are full-fledged ambassadors of dialogue between cultures and create a network of relations that extends well beyond the perimeter and the period of their academic research and studies.

I was struck by the data that emerged from a recent survey on the perceptions that Italian university students have of China: it is significant that students – both males and females – who come here for a training period then leave with an even more favourable perception of China than that expressed by those who have not yet had the chance to visit your great Country.

Therefore, my presence in this important university institution also testifies to Italy’s wish to see our academic communities draw even closer together, in a spirit of cooperation and responsibility.

I am happy to see in this hall the Madam and Monsieur Rectors of many prestigious Chinese and Italian universities. In expressing great satisfaction with the launch of this first session of “Dialogue”, I am confident that the research and exchange projects that you will develop will be inspired by a vision of human development capable of enabling students and professors alike to fully express their potential.

In fact, universities are the privileged places that shape critical thinking, where youths can come to grips with different cultural traditions, where they can freely open up to new horizons, building experiences that will contribute to establish an even better understanding between our peoples.

This is the cornerstone for promoting not only a debate between Chinese and Italian academia but also a moment in which to share ideas and paths; an opportunity of joint growth.

I know that the approach of offering intellectual hospitality is part of the founding cultural heritage of this University, the oldest in modern China.

Together with several Italian counterparts, you have put in place collaborative efforts in the field of classical studies, exploring the parallelisms and differences that exist between the Western and Eastern traditions. Similarly, initiatives in the field of history, international relations and law have made it possible to develop comparative studies highlighting how global dynamics have been influenced by centuries of dialogue between our civilizations.

It is a pleasure for me to underscore that in 2021 this University inaugurated a degree course in Italian Language and Literature which is not limited to teaching the language but is also open to complementary disciplines. I would like to wish my very best to the last-year students enrolled in this course present here today, that they maycomplete it with utmost satisfaction for the three-year course of studies.

Thanks to your energy, your enthusiasm, and your knowledge, you have become a link in an ever vaster and increasingly vital network connecting China and Italy!

Let me congratulate Peking University for its farsighted decision to establish a Sino-European Research Centre for Innovation in the Field of Philanthropy.

Solidarity is a universal value that calls us back to the duty of taking care of the frail. Thanks to the Italy-China Philanthropy Forum, this theme has been added to the broad spectrum of relations between our two countries.

I am happy that these collaborations also gave rise to the “Agnelli Chair of Italian Studies” engaging eminent masters of knowledge in a fecund dialogue with the academic community of your university.

 

Honourable President of Peking University,

Rector Magnificus of the University,

Rectores Magnifici and Illustrious Professors,

dear Students:  

In October of 1955, a delegation of Italian intellectuals from different political and cultural backgrounds came to visit the “new China”.

Led by Piero Calamandrei, they were welcomed with immense cordiality.

A poet addressed the guests in verse: “We are now sitting side by side/touching each other’s knee with our hand/with hearts overflowing with boundless friendship”.

A lot of time has gone by since then.

Italy recovered from the wounds of World War II and developed a spearheading manufacturing industry, and an economy open to international markets.

China led hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, achieving extraordinarily advanced technological development goals.

But the feeling has not changed: it remains “with hearts overflowing with boundless friendship”.  

On the eve of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, this visit confirms the Italian Republic’s intention to further enhance our bilateral relations through a fully constructive interaction.

Our two Countries are working towards this common goal, as was recalled, within the framework of the Global Strategic Partnership signed approximately twenty years ago.

China and Italy have developed a renewed “Action Plan” during the recent visit of the Italian President of the Council of Ministers at the end of last July. The Plan envisages closer, more concrete and structured cooperation in numerous sectors of common interest including that of science, technology and culture.

China is Italy’s leading economic partner in Asia.

The constructive spirit that drives us requires a well-balanced relationship by removing the barriers that hinder Italian products of excellence from accessing the Chinese market and hinder us from meeting the expectations of Chinese consumers, who are increasingly demanding and growingly attentive to quality.

This is true for the world of finance, which is open to new Chinese investmentsin Italy – in a logic of transparency, concreteness and mutual advantage – with the aim of stimulating job creation and fostering growth in value and skills.

Italy is greatly interested in a tighter cooperation, for example, in the ecological transition, in combating climate change and in protecting our planet: all these priorities require global cooperation.

Taking a look at the challenges of protecting cultural heritage, food security, public health, ageing populations, an ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence and new technologies, we believe that the dialogue between Beijing and Rome is now more important than ever in order to jointly promote effective and farsighted solutions.

The “Action Plan” places special emphasis on enhancing cooperation in the field of culture. The issue was constructively discussed in the past few days in Beijing by our two Countries’ top executives of cultural institutions and industries at the Third Plenary Meeting of the Italy-China Cultural Forum.

Dear Academic Authorities,

Eminent Professors and dear students:

The capital of mutual trust accumulated in our bilateral relations enables Italy to offer a substantial contribution towards establishing ever stronger, sustainable and equally advantageous ties between China and the European Union within the framework of a respected rule-based international order.

Rules and regulations that must apply to all and be enforced in good faith by all parties.

Therefore, our efforts go into making the dialogue between Beijing and the European Institutions based on mutual respect, transparency and long-term cooperation constructive.

I am also referring to the economic and commercial spheres and to development.

China and the European Union share the common need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote inclusive and sustainable growth models, and tackle growing social inequalities.

These goals cannot be achieved without a strong common commitment and vision for the future.

Opening our respective societies plays a crucial role in this.

This is also true for the economy.

Nobody in Europe, and least of all Italy, has in mind a period of protectionism.

Consistently with this approach, we believe that situations and procedures in agiven commercial sector – aimed at achieving equitable and fair competition and at reaching mutually advantageous agreements – should not affect the commercial practices in other sectors.

A fluid, responsible and deep-reaching dialogue between Beijing and the European Union, also in the political and strategic domain, would represent an added value.

Indeed, it is a necessity expressed by complex issues that concern us all.

Among these we should not forget the protection and promotion of the human dignity of all persons. Reaffirming the principles that represent the bulwark of civilization, independently of their political, economic, or cultural contexts, cannot be considered as interfering with others.

It is rather a call – universally valid and mainly addressed to oneself – to behave in compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which applies to the whole international community.

First and foremost, the right to peace.

The concerns that have emerged for the instability that characterizes the international scenario also apply to the Indo-Pacific region. It should be noted that Europe’s attention on this area aims to reaffirm elements such as the freedom of navigation and overflight, in addition to those provided for under international law. These are blocks in the building of a world in peace, of that equitable international order that constitutes our common aspiration.

It is essential for all the parties involved to be wise and abstain from taking unilateral initiatives liable to exacerbate already existing difficulties in this as in other geographical regions. There are problems and concerns in this respect throughout the world.

It is essential for all players to unhesitatingly wear the hat of cooperation.

In connection to this, allow me to recall what my predecessor said here in China during his State Visit in 2010.

When speaking in the Auditorium of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party, President Napolitano said: “The weight of China, of Asia, and of the rest of the world on international events is destined to consolidate and grow. As a good Italian, and as a good European, I consider this evolution to be highly positive.”

I share his thoughts.

Without China, or without the European Union, it would be impossible to try to meet our youths’ dreams of openness, peace and future.

Without dialogue and cooperation, it would be unconceivable to be able to cover the social, economic and environmental costs of the challenges that humanity is faced with.

In order to achieve this, we need common rules to be implemented and not postponed from one summit meeting to the next.

Multilateralism, the core principle of a form global governance focused on the needs and aspirations of the people, is the instrument.

In an ever more interconnected world, we must be jointly committed to reinforcing multilateral fora – starting with the United Nations – in order to enable them to effectively reduce tensions, settle controversies, and monitor the proliferation of armaments, just to mention a few of the major issues of our time.

It is not acceptable, for example, that by invading Ukraine, the Russian Federation – a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the topmost organization mandated to defend peace – violated, as it did, the fundamental norms of international law and the principles of the UN, by using force against a smaller neighbour to impose its own will.

Consenting to such a behaviour would mean surrendering the community of States to barbarity.

China is one of the key players on the international scene.

Allow me to express the hope that it make use of its great authoritativeness on the international scene to reaffirm its traditional stand in support of the international community’s rules of coexistence, making an effort to put an end to Russia’s brutal aggression against the independence and integrity of Ukraine, a first step towards an equitable peace based on the United Nations Charter and on the norms of international law, including those on sovereignty, independence, and the integrity of the territory of States.

Another area in need of all of our efforts in order to stop the spiral of violence is the Middle East, which is devastated by the criminal terrorist attack of Hamas against defenceless Israeli citizens, as well as the unacceptable wave of violence against the civil population of Gaza, and having extended the conflict to South Lebanon, with yet more suffering for the civil population.

We need to stop the war immediately and find solutions also to the terrible humanitarian crisis that has derived from it.

I confide, and I am indeed certain, that China will want to add its voice in calling on various regional players for moderation, so that a two-State solution between Israel and Palestine will finally be implemented.

The Middle East crisis reminds us that tension-filled scenarios are interconnected and cut across geographical distances.

The world is one and indivisible: to foster free and secure naval transit acrossthe seas of the region, where currently non-State players also supported by regional powers threaten free trade in contempt of international law provisions – as is occurring in the Red Sea – is important for Italy, for China, and for every other country.

We cannot consent to such a serious precedent: throughout history, commercial routes have paved the way for peaceful relations and the coming together of civilizations.

 

Authorities,

Dear students,

In one of his poems, Su Shi, an extraordinary poet, calligrapher and statesman, reminds us that “You cannot know the true face of Mount Lu Because you are in the mountain's midst”. A thousand years later, this warning sounds topical to our conscience.

We must recover an authentic and correct perspective of the world and of its future.

At a time of growing tensions, and also of tumultuous innovations, we are called upon as never before to develop a reflective approach that may help us to understand the limits of our perspectives, both as individuals and as societies.

It is the premise for an attitude towards others based on dialogue.

It is the premise for the trust that Italy nurtures for the future of its increasing relations with China.

Our Countries have proved to be able to overcome the biggest challenges, to fill the gaps that appeared yawning to others.

From the greatness of our original civilizations and their capacity to interact and understand each other, we must draw inspiration for responsible leadership, fit to tackle today’s crises.

Thus, together, we will contribute to realize the rights and aspirations of our peoples and to build a future of peace.

Thank you. Xiè xie.