by H E Yang Shu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada
On 5 June 2026, the Chinese Embassy in Grenada launched the China In My Eyes Short Video and Article Competition at an event celebrating the second United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations.
The United Nations International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations, observed annually on 10 June, was established in 2024 after the 78th session of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by China. In a world marked by transformation and turbulence, the question of how different civilisations can coexist has become increasingly urgent. The International Day serves as a reminder that dialogue is the only bridge to peace and that mutual learning is the compass for human progress.
The event highlighted the vision of the Global Civilisation Initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on 15 March 2023, which consists of 4 core calls.
The first call is to respect the diversity of civilisations.
China, with its uninterrupted 5,000-year civilisation, treasures its heritage of philosophy, art, and culture, while recognising that no single civilisation holds a monopoly on wisdom or is superior to another. Every civilisation has unique value and contributes to humanity. In Grenada, this diversity finds expression in the rhythms of soca music during Spicemas and in the Jab Jab tradition, where oil and black paint symbolise resilience, resistance, and renewal. A Chinese dragon dance and a Jab Jab performance may differ in form, but both address the same human need for self-expression and belonging.
The second call is to advocate the common values of humanity.
Beneath diverse customs and traditions lie universally shared aspirations: universally shared-peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom. These values belong to no single civilisation but are the birthright of every human being. A soca artist singing about overcoming hardship and a Chinese poet writing about harmony may use different words, different rhythms, different words, but they touch the same human heart. A young student in Grenada dreaming of a better future and a young student in China pursuing knowledge are not so different after all. The languages of the 2 countries may differ, but the hopes are remarkably similar.
The International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations reminds us that embracing shared values does not require abandoning unique identities. Recognising universal desires for peace and development transforms how we see others — not as threats, but as reflections of ourselves.
The third call is to advocate the inheritance and innovation of civilisations.
As President Xi Jinping said, we must protect tangible cultural heritage — our villages, our homes, the architectural features that give a place its identity — while also safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. At the same time, creative transformation and innovative development should be promoted. China has pursued this path. For example, the action role-playing game Black Myth: Wukong has introduced the legendary Monkey King to global audiences through modern digital expression. In Grenada, Spicemas and the Jab Jab tradition remain alive, adapting to new music and new generations while being rooted in history. The key, whether in China or Grenada, is to honour the past without being chained by it, and to remember where one comes from while continuing to imagine where to go.
The fourth call is to advocate robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
Last year, Grenada’s Chief Cultural Officer Kelvin Jacob was invited to attend the Liangzhu Forum in China, a premier international dialogue on civilisations. This year also marks the 21st anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Grenada. Over the past 2 decades, more than 3,200 Grenadians have travelled to China for training programmes, and 251 Grenadian students have received government scholarships to study in China. The Confucius Institute at the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) continues to bring Chinese language and culture to local learners.
To further promote people-to-people exchanges, the Chinese Embassy launched the China In My Eyes Short Video and Article Competition. The competition invites Grenadians — especially students, media professionals, and content creators — to share their visions of China through short videos and articles. Participants may focus on the Great Wall, the bustling streets of Shanghai, the flavours of Sichuan cuisine, or the kindness of a Chinese teacher who inspired them. Generous prizes have been prepared to honour creativity, but the competition is primarily about dialogue. Each video and each article represent a small but powerful act of cultural exchange. Through the eyes of Grenadian participants, China becomes not a distant land but a living story, and through those stories, the distance between the 2 countries grows smaller. Participants are not merely contestants but cultural ambassadors shaping how their generation sees China and how China sees Grenada.
The Global Civilisation Initiative provides a roadmap, the International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations serves as an important reminder, and the China In My Eyes competition offers a platform for action. The real work, however, rests with individuals. The competition invites every Grenadian to build a bridge of creativity and understanding, turning dialogue into action, and celebrating the friendship and enduring dialogue between the people of China and the people of Grenada.
