Forging unity and promoting the shared future for mankind through inclusiveness: A core principle of 'One Country, Two Systems'

Editor's note: Xing Zhiyuan is a commentator on Macao affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The neon-lit skyscrapers of Hong Kong's Central district cast their glow upon traditional Lingnan-style temple eaves, while the chimes of St. Dominic's Church mingle with the incense swirls of Macao's A-Ma Temple.

These two cities, celebrated as the "Pearl of the Orient" and the "Pearl on the Coast of the South China Sea," have navigated historical challenges to flourish under the protection of the motherland. Their unique urban identities vividly embody inclusiveness, one of the core principles of "One Country, Two Systems." This framework enables different social systems to coexist peacefully, diverse values to thrive symbiotically, and multiple civilizations to resonate harmoniously.

"The ocean achieves greatness by receiving all rivers." The idea of inclusiveness, or the respect of institutional pluralism and diversity, is deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy. As a significant initiative of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the "One Country, Two Systems" has not only resolved historical disputes but has also emerged as a successful development practice. It demonstrates how distinct social systems can integrate under unified sovereignty, while accelerating the post-handover advancement of Hong Kong and Macao, and establishing new standards in political civilization.

This spirit of inclusiveness is ingrained in China's civilizational heritage. Ancient wisdom, such as "harmony without uniformity," reflects both the Chinese cultural ethos and universal social principles. With its capacity to embrace diversity and accommodate differences, this tradition has not only sustained the steady implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" but also spurred China's global engagement. It shapes a distinctive major-country diplomacy that advocates for democratizing international relations and promoting cross-civilizational exchange, demonstrating China's profound respect for global diversity and its commitment to humanity's collective well-being.

On the international stage, China always maintains that all nations, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, are equal members of the international community. China advocates shared interests, equal rights, and collective responsibility, firmly opposes exclusivity, hegemony, or any form of bullying. While some major countries attempt to build walls and revive the "Iron Curtain," reigniting ideological divisions and outdated notions such as "civilizational superiority" or the "clash of civilizations," China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind is gaining real traction.

The high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative continues to yield substantial results, and the Three Major Global Initiatives, i.e. the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by China, seek to effectively transform development gaps into opportunities for cooperation, present solutions to security challenges, and promote mutual understanding across cultures and civilizations.

The spirit of inclusiveness shines brightly in China's diplomatic philosophy – from forging a global partnership network to brokering landmark reconciliations, such as the Saudi-Iranian detente and Palestinian dialogue, through distinctively Chinese mediation; and from pioneering forums like the Ancient Civilizations Forum and the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations to establishing in Hong Kong the International Organization for Mediation, the world's first intergovernmental legal institution exclusively dedicated to mediating international disputes. Every major initiative underscores China's commitment, while demonstrating transformative potential.

These achievements reaffirm an unequivocal truth: Our world possesses boundless room for shared development, and inclusiveness remains the only viable path forward.

History has proven that inclusiveness has long served as a catalyst for civilizations to come together, learn from one another, and propel human progress, writing glorious chapters of unlocking the beauty of diversity through exchange.

Today, amid profound global transformations unseen in a century, nations must rise above divisions with forward-looking openness‌ and collectively embrace our ‌shared future‌. Together, we may forge a brighter future for humanity.

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