习近平向首届世界古典学大会致贺信

11月7日，国家主席习近平向首届世界古典学大会致贺信。

习近平指出，古典文明群星璀璨，不断滋养和启迪后世。两千多年前，中国和希腊两大文明在亚欧大陆两端交相辉映，为人类文明演进作出了奠基性贡献。中希共同举办首届世界古典学大会，在雅典设立中国古典文明研究院，为中希两国和世界各国搭建了文明交流互鉴的新平台。

习近平强调，中国积极致力于推动文明传承发展，加强国际人文交流，促进全球文明对话，注重从不同文明中寻求智慧、汲取营养，愿同各方一道，践行全球文明倡议，携手解决人类共同面临的各种挑战，共同推动人类文明发展进步。希望各位专家学者担负起古典学研究的使命，为促进文明传承发展、推动文明交流互鉴作出更大贡献。

首届世界古典学大会当日在北京开幕，主题为“古典文明与现代世界”，由中国社会科学院、中国教育部、中国文化和旅游部、希腊文化部、希腊雅典科学院共同主办。

Xi sends congratulatory letter to inaugural World Conference of Classics

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter on Thursday to the inaugural World Conference of Classics, which is scheduled from Wednesday to Friday.

Xi noted that the conference, co-organized by China and Greece, along with the establishment of the Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, has created a new platform for civilizational exchange and mutual learning for China, Greece and other nations in the world.

Xi said that the ancient civilizations of China and Greece flourished on opposite sides of the Eurasian continent more than two millennia ago, laying the foundation for the development of human civilization.

He emphasized China's commitment to the preservation and development of civilizations and added that China is dedicated to enhancing international people-to-people exchanges and fostering global dialogues among civilizations.

The Chinese president said China stands ready to work with other nations in implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, addressing shared challenges facing humanity, and promoting the advancement of human civilization.

Xi also expressed hope that experts and scholars will embrace the responsibility of advancing classical studies, contributing to the preservation and development of civilizations, and enhancing their exchange and mutual learning.

The theme of the conference is "Classical Civilizations and the Modern World." An opening ceremony was held in Beijing on Thursday.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony and read out Xi's congratulatory letter.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou's congratulatory letter was also read out at the ceremony. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay sent a written address on this occasion.

The conference has drawn over 600 participants, including those from related departments and institutions of China and Greece, and experts, scholars, cultural figures, youth representatives and media professionals from around the world. 

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, reads out President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter to the inaugural World Conference of Classics and delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the conference in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 7, 2024. The conference is scheduled from Wednesday to Friday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)