Lemi Ponifasio, World Theatre Ambassador for International Theatre Institute – UNESCO, shared his vision during an interview at the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing. Having recently worked with people of the Yi ethnic group in Sichuan Province and taken them on a global tour, Ponifasio emphasized the importance of continuing cultural collaboration with China.

He noted that while China is a political and economic powerhouse, its voice in contemporary theater is still underrepresented. "Chinese artists in the international arena are missing," he said. Ponifasio called on China to step forward with greater cultural confidence and take a leading role in shaping global cultural dialogue.