The 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture kicks off in Taizhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, on November 2, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of China International Communications Group

It is important to foster global cooperation and mutual understanding through Hehe culture, represented primarily by the concept of "harmony" and "convergence," said world experts at the 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture which began on Saturday in Taizhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province.

Hehe culture, believed to have originated in the Tiantai Mountain in Taizhou, is a valued component of traditional Chinese culture. The term "Hehe" consists of two different Chinese characters: the first "he" represents harmony, peace and balance, while the second refers to convergence, unity and cooperation.

Zhu Yongxin, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and executive vice chairperson of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

In his remarks, Zhu stressed the need to put the people at the center and promote Chinese culture as well as the modern civilization of the Chinese nation. He said we should strengthen cultural confidence, deepen cultural exchanges, and promote the progress of civilizations.

He also called for adhering to the philosophy of peace and harmony, upholding the spirit that "our shared future depends on Earth," and promoting the building of a global community of shared future.

The connotation of Hehe culture is about diversity, tolerance and unity, Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO and one of the first Hehe Culture ambassadors honored at last year’s event, addressed in a video message. She noted that what makes Hehe culture remarkable is the blending of the wisdom of Chinese history and civilization with modernity.

This year, former prime minister of Egypt Essam Sharaf, former undersecretary-general of the United Nations Erik Solheim and a director of the Board of Special Olympics Piet Steel were awarded the newest Hehe culture ambassadors.

In his reception speech, Steel emphasized the significance of "building trust in today’s divided world." According to him, the concept of Hehe culture is not only about the absence of conflict, but also about re-balance and coexistence.

No nation has all the answers to challenges like inequality, climate change, and geopolitical tensions that impact everyone, he said. However, we can find sustainable solutions through true respect for each other and learning from each other, Steel added.

Under the main theme of "Hehe Culture and New Model for Human Progress," experts discussed ways to enhance mutual learning and exchange among global civilizations.

Hehe culture and the China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative share similar types of values, such as diversity, equality, gentleness and harmony, Colin Mackerras, professor emeritus at Griffith University, Australia, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

"What’s going on in the Middle East at the moment is just the exact opposite of that," he said. “The idea of putting aside things we don’t agree with and focusing on things we do agree with is actually a very good approach. It’s difficult given the current situation in the Middle East, but negotiation and compromise are still possible,” the Australian sinologist added.

Solheim mentioned China and India's recent decision to reduce border tensions at their border area as a recent example of Hehe culture in practice. The fact that the two countries seek to resolve the issue through joint consultations is an excellent manifestation of Hehe culture and its harmonious spirit, he commented.

The 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture also saw the release of the Chinese-English version of Cold Hill’s Poetry, a compilation of the poems of Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk Hanshan, along with awards for outstanding Hehe Culture Overseas Stations, including those in Argentina, Japan and Russia.

The Global Forum on Hehe Culture was first created in 2021 in Taizhou. Since then, the county has actively created an international communication product matrix around the Forum, effectively enhancing the global communication and influence of Chinese civilization, according to the organizers.