Chinese President Xi Jinping called on the BRICS countries to increase people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual learning between civilizations at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday.

"There are many civilizations and development paths in the world, and this is how the world should be. Human history will not end with a particular civilization or system. BRICS countries need to champion the spirit of inclusiveness, advocate peaceful coexistence and harmony between civilizations, and promote respect of all countries in independently choosing their modernization paths," said President Xi.

"China would like to propose that BRICS countries expand cooperation on education, enhance the role of the BRICS alliance for vocational education, explore and set up a cooperation mechanism on digital education, and foster a paradigm of all-round cooperation on education. In addition, we also need to strengthen exchanges on traditional cultures and promote the renewal of fine traditional cultures," he said.

Over the past decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly proposed initiatives in the field of culture at the BRICS summit, calling on the five BRICS countries to build and promote partnerships in diverse civilizations and advocate for people-to-people exchanges.

At the 7th BRICS Summit which took place in 2015, President Xi delivered a speech titled "Building Partnership Together Toward a Bright Future." President Xi pointed out: "The successful cooperation of the BRICS countries proves that different social systems can accommodate each other, that different development models can work with each other and that different values can draw on the strength of each other. We should stay open and inclusive so as to learn from each other and make progress together through seeking common ground while putting aside differences."

Two years later, at the BRICS Xiamen Summit, President Xi mentioned in his remarks that people-to-people exchanges among the five countries have been in full swing, marked by the diverse activities of the BRICS Games, the BRICS Film Festival, the BRICS Culture Festival, and the High-level Meeting on Traditional Medicine.

He said, "Amity between the people holds the key to sound state-to-state relations. Only with intensive care can the tree of friendship and cooperation grow luxuriant. Enhancing the exchanges among our peoples and seeing the spirit of partnership embraced by all is a worthy cause that deserves our enduring commitment. A job well done in this regard will keep BRICS cooperation vibrant."

In 2017, the BRICS Cultural Festival invited more than 200 artists from the BRICS countries to Xiamen, reflecting the commitment to enhancing people-to-people exchanges emphasized by President Xi. This cultural extravaganza featured over 30 activities, including theater performances, outdoor shows, master classes by artists, themed exhibitions, and screenings of BRICS films.

During the festival, renowned art groups from the five countries, including the National Ballet of China, Cisne Negro Dance Company from Brazil, Mariinsky Theatre from Russia, Aditi Dance School from India, and Joburg Ballet from South Africa, gathered in Xiamen. All the performances and exhibitions were jointly presented by artists from the five countries, showcasing the common aspiration for cultural integration among the BRICS countries.

One of the outstanding works presented by the BRICS countries was the jointly produced film "Where Has Time Gone?" which premiered in China. This collaborative film project was directed by five filmmakers from the BRICS countries, each contributing a short film based on a common theme. Through their skillful and intricate storytelling, the directors brought to life five heartwarming stories, brimming with love and vitality.

Besides film and television, museums and art exhibitions also played a significant role in promoting cultural exchanges.

In 2018 at the BRICS Johannesburg Summit, President Xi suggested joint touring exhibitions by the BRICS alliances of museums, art museums, national galleries, and libraries and closer cooperation in the cultural, creative and tourism industries and at the sub-national level: "This way, we can spread the BRICS story far and wide to further enhance the mutual understanding and traditional friendship among our people."

In October of the same year, the BRICS Alliance of Art Museums and Galleries was established in Beijing. The alliance conference was jointly set up by the Brazilian Institute of Museums, the State Historical Museum of Russia, the National Museum of India, the Ditsong Museum of South Africa, and the National Museum of China.

The BRICS countries possess a wealth of cultural heritage projects listed in UNESCO's records, and the national museums of each country bear the historical responsibility of protecting, inheriting, and promoting these legacies.

In the BRICS summits in 2019 and 2021, President Xi emphasized the importance of strengthening mutual learning and mutual exchange in the field of culture.

At the BRICS Brasilia Summit in 2019, President Xi stated: "We the BRICS countries have many best practices to offer when it comes to cultural interactions. Over recent years, we have carried out flourishing cultural exchanges. Film festivals, sports games as well as film and documentary co-production have rolled in to the delight of our people, thus creating a bridge for our people to be brought still closer together. "

In 2021, President Xi attended the 13th BRICS summit via video link and proposed: "China suggests setting up a BRICS alliance for vocational education to organize vocational skills competitions and create a platform of exchanges and cooperation for the vocational colleges and businesses of our five countries. Going forward, China will host the BRICS seminar on governance and the BRICS forum on people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and open an online training course for media professionals of our five countries."

In November of last year, the 2022 BRICS Future Skills Competition was held with more than 1,600 teams and nearly 2,500 participants from BRICS countries competing. The competition focused on key areas such as advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, new industries, new formats, and new technologies.

The 2023 BRICS Future Skills Competition is scheduled to be held in Johannesburg in South Africa on September 12 to 15.