Experts discuss relationship between civilizations at symposium in Beijing

The ancient Greek and Chinese civilizations share many common values that not only enrich today's concept of the Olympic spirit, but also address the challenges the world is facing, experts said.

Scholars and experts from the Chinese Academy of Governance, Renmin University of China, Beijing Sport University and Civilization magazine discussed the spirit of the Olympic Games, the connections between the two civilizations and the establishment of a community with a shared future for mankind during an academic symposium held in Beijing on Saturday.

The symposium, titled "Spiritual Dialogue between Chinese and Ancient Greek Civilizations", took place about a month ahead of the start of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games. The event also marked the upcoming 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Greece.

President Xi Jinping and Greek leaders have stressed on many occasions that both countries enjoy a long history and rich civilizations. During a visit to Greece in 2019, Xi said in a signed article that the two nations have much in common, and they understand and always stand by each other.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou also said in a foreword she wrote in October for The Olympic Manifesto－the Beautiful Olympic Cultural Scroll III, issued by Civilization magazine, that Greece and China are both nations with great histories and cultures that date back centuries. The organization of this year's Winter Games provides the nations with an opportunity to "renew the cultural and historic ties and further strengthen the bilateral relations especially in the fields of culture and sport", she wrote.

The scroll displays the Olympic Manifesto, written by International Olympic Committee founder Pierre de Coubertin in 1892, and encompasses the festival culture of 23 host countries and 43 host cities of previous Olympic Games.

Sakellaropoulou also noted that the adoption of the Olympic Truce by 173 UN member states in December signals the will to spread a message of peace throughout the world. The signing of the resolution, which highlights peaceful coexistence among nations, can serve as the steppingstone to promote "dialogue, understanding and reconciliation between states and groups in conflict".

Liu Fei, an associate professor at the Department of Literature and History under the Chinese Academy of Governance, said the consensus between the two leaders demonstrates the Olympics' values of friendship, respect, solidarity and peace. Both civilizations value inclusiveness and learning, and they emphasize the pursuit of a good life, harmony and a just order.

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, and former IOC president Jacques Rogge, who died in August, also sent messages to the magazine in June for the publication of the scroll, saying that the spread of Olympic values is important in addressing the uncertainties the world faces today.

Cao Weidong, Party secretary of Beijing Sport University, said peace and friendship are the values that connect Chinese civilization with that of ancient Greece. He said both civilizations are diverse and integrated and have attached great importance to sports. The six arts established as the basis of education during the Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC) included archery and chariotry, and traditional Chinese sports have also incorporated the concept of harmony that is in line with the Olympic spirit of unity.

Jiang Xiaojie, a professor at Beijing Sport University's School of Humanities, said ancient Greek athletics always adhered to the pursuit of peace through competition. Athletic events provided an arena where people could meet as equals, set aside conflicts and celebrate their differences.

Lou Lin, a scholar at the Center for Classical Civilization at the Renmin University of China, said, "Coexistence and harmony among humans require more genuine respect and friendship, as well as the values of peace and friendship embodied in Olympic culture."

Euthymios Athanasiadis, press and communication counselor at the Greek embassy in Beijing, said via video link that the ancient Greek saying "a healthy mind in a healthy body" connotes the integration of body and spirit, nature and the supernatural and heaven and Earth, similar to the "heaven, Earth and mankind" saying in traditional Chinese culture.

Ahead of the nations' 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, "the Beijing Winter Olympics will once again remind us of the immutable significance of the Olympic spirit", he said. "The meaning of the Olympic Games is not just about pursuing power and breaking records. It lies in self-improvement and transcending one's own limitations. Without unity, everything would be meaningless."