The Second Forum on "China's Modernization from Overseas Perspectives" hosted by Xiamen University, was successfully held on May 26, 2025. Professor Ottmar Ette, Director of the Humboldt Center for Transdisciplinary Studies at Hunan Normal University, Professor at the University of Potsdam, and member of the European Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote speech analyzing the historical and contemporary interactions between China, Europe, and Latin America.

In his address, Professor Ette traced the centuries-long history of trade and cultural exchanges between China and Europe. He noted that from the ancient Silk Road to modern maritime trade, the two regions have gradually built bridges of mutual understanding through the exchange of goods and knowledge. This interaction was not merely about the flow of commodities but also the collision and integration of ideas and values, he emphasized. Professor Ette underscored that the essence of civilizational dialogue lies in continuous exploration and the accumulation of trust, adding that the global significance of Chinese modernization is reflected in its practical exploration of harmonious coexistence among diverse civilizations.

Following the forum, Professor Ette gave an exclusive interview to China Global Television Network (CGTN), further elaborating on how cross-civilizational studies contribute to the theoretical understanding of Chinese modernization.

For more details on the event, please refer to the news coverage: Link to the Second Forum on China’s Modernization from Overseas Perspectives.

For the CGTN interview, please visit: bilibili CGTN interview.