This year marks the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. To commemorate this occasion, China will hold a series of events, including a major conference in Beijing on June 28. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the commemorative conference and deliver a keynote speech.

Seventy years ago, Premier Zhou Enlai first articulated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Over the decades, these principles have been widely accepted and recognized by countries worldwide, becoming fundamental guidelines in international relations and international law.

The commemoration will focus on the theme "From the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind." The event will include the commemorative conference, followed by a luncheon and sub-forums. President Xi Jinping will deliver a speech at the conference, which will be chaired by Premier Li Qiang. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will attend the luncheon and deliver a speech. Former world leaders, experts, scholars, friends of China, media representatives, and business leaders from various countries are invited to attend the conference and speak at the luncheon and sub-forums.

During the forum, Chinese and international guests will engage in discussions on four key themes: "The Contemporary Value of Asian Wisdom in the Context of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence," "The Vision and Mission of the Global South Amidst Great Changes," "Building a Prosperous World Through Chinese-Style Modernization," and "Promoting Global Governance Based on Consultation, Contribution, and Shared Benefits."

In his forum speech, Malcolm Clarke shared the challenges faced in cultural exchange and international dialogue. He recounted how one of his works was rejected by a European film festival for being perceived as "too supportive of China." This incident highlighted a prejudice and misunderstanding toward China, where a neutral stance is sometimes equated with support for China. Clarke expressed deep regret that such bias contradicts the principles of mutual respect and equality advocated by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, as well as the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, which was a key topic of the forum.

Clarke also emphasized the importance of strengthening China's cultural soft power to promote true understanding and respect among different cultures and viewpoints. He expressed hope that through cultural exchange and international cooperation, the world could gain a more comprehensive and profound understanding of China.