The conference entitled “Change and the Way Forward: The Situation in the Middle East from the Perspective of the Four Global Initiatives,” organized by the World Civilizations Initiative Research Centre and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ankara, addressed the crises in the region and offered possible solutions. Jiang Xuebin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Türkiye, stated that China was ready to work with Türkiye and the countries of the region to seek ways forward amid change and sow seeds of hope amid turmoil.
Politicians, diplomats and academics gathered at the conference in Ankara, jointly organised by the World Civilizations Initiative Research Centre (DÜNYA-MER) and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, to discuss developments in the Middle East and the need for a new security architecture. Delivering the opening address, Ambassador Jiang Xuebin noted that the Middle East was undergoing a process of reshaping and that, as old security structures were shaken, the region’s capacity for independent action was growing. Stating that the Global Development Initiative advocated common, comprehensive and cooperative security, with due regard for countries’ legitimate security concerns, Ambassador Jiang conveyed China’s readiness to seek ways forward together with Türkiye and the countries of the region. Doğu Perinçek, Chairman of the Vatan Party, said that the Global Governance Initiative encompassed the contributions of the rising Eurasian civilization to national independence, production, sharing, government in the interests of the people, a strong public sector, freedom, democracy and peace.
The conference, entitled “Change and the Way Forward: The Situation in the Middle East from the Perspective of the Four Global Initiatives,” was organized by DÜNYA-MER. Ambassador Jiang Xuebin and Vatan Party Chairman Doğu Perinçek delivered the opening addresses at the conference, held at the InterContinental Hotel.
The Middle East Is Undergoing A Process Of Reshaping
Ambassador Jiang Xuebin stated:
“Mr Doğu Perinçek, Chairman of the Vatan Party; Mr Semih Koray, President of the World Civilizations Initiative Research Centre in Türkiye; distinguished guests: I extend my respectful greetings to you all.
“I am delighted to organize, together with DÜNYA-MER, this symposium entitled ‘Change and the Way Forward: The Situation in the Middle East from the Perspective of the Four Global Initiatives.’ On behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Ankara, I warmly welcome you all.
“Discussing ‘change and the way forward’ today in Türkiye—a country that brings together Eastern and Western civilizations and has witnessed countless historic turning points—carries particular symbolic significance. The Middle East is undergoing profound turmoil and reshaping. Even before Gaza’s wounds have healed, the crisis involving Iran is escalating and conflicts in the Red Sea are intensifying. While old conflicts persist, new risks are accumulating.”
Bridges Of Dialogue Are Being Built
“Yet the Middle East is more than its crises. As old development models come under strain, the forces driving transformation are gaining strength. As old security structures are shaken, the region’s capacity for independent action is growing. As narratives of division between civilizations lose ground, bridges of dialogue and mutual learning are being built. As external direction recedes, the determination of the region’s countries to shape their own destinies is strengthening. Alongside its painful challenges, change also brings new beginnings.
“The four global initiatives put forward in recent years by Chinese President Xi Jinping offer a framework that integrates development, security, civilization and governance, providing practical paths for the Middle East to overcome its impasses and achieve transformation.”
We Can Achieve Prosperity By Sharing Opportunities
“Development is the root; strong roots allow a tree to flourish. Development remains a priority in the Middle East. Problems such as youth unemployment, insufficient economic diversification and difficulties in transformation sometimes create conditions for instability. Yet the region also has enormous potential. Economic diversification is accelerating, regional connectivity projects are advancing, and its large population offers opportunities for development.
“With its development-first, people-centered, inclusive, mutually beneficial and action-oriented approach, the Global Development Initiative aims to turn this potential into a capacity for self-reliant development. Kumport Port is a concrete example of China–Türkiye cooperation. With investment and management by a Chinese consortium, the port’s cargo throughput has grown steadily, making it an important hub for regional connectivity. By sharing opportunities and developing together, we can achieve common prosperity.”
What the Middle East Needs
“Security is a shield; a strong shield safeguards the well-being of the people. Security problems and deficits are widespread in the Middle East. Responding to violence with violence has repeatedly demonstrated that military methods cannot deliver lasting security.
“The Global Security Initiative advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, the resolution of disputes through dialogue, and respect for countries’ legitimate security concerns. China’s role in bringing about the restoration of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran demonstrates that dialogue and reconciliation are possible despite deeply rooted sectarian differences.
“What the Middle East needs is a security architecture based on the participation of the region’s countries and attentive to the concerns of all parties, rather than externally imposed ‘security arrangements.’”
A Historic Crossroads of Civilizations
“Civilization is a bridge; bridges bring hearts closer together. The Middle East has witnessed the rise, decline and clash of civilizations. The ‘clash of civilizations’ thesis has repeatedly been used as a pretext for division and conflict. Yet the region is a historic crossroads where Islamic, Christian and Jewish civilizations have coexisted for thousands of years.
“The Global Civilization Initiative advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations and humanity’s shared values, overcoming divisions through communication and conflicts through mutual learning. If the countries of the region reclaim their historical experience of coexistence and common prosperity, dialogue among civilizations can become the most enduring moral force for resolving conflicts.”
External Powers Must Respect The Role Of The Region’s Countries
“Governance is fundamental; sound foundations bring order to every sphere. While governance and regional mechanisms in the Middle East still need to be strengthened, unilateral external interventions are deepening imbalances.
“The Global Governance Initiative is based on sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism and a people-centered approach. It advocates greater representation and a stronger voice for developing countries in global governance. This means strengthening the role of regional organizations such as the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
“External powers must respect the leading role of the region’s countries and must not turn the Middle East into a chessboard for major-power competition.”
China Supports Common Development
“Dear friends, the four global initiatives form an integrated whole: development strengthens the foundations, security safeguards peace, civilization deepens mutual understanding, and governance provides guarantees. Their common goal is for the peoples of the Middle East to determine their own destinies and for the regional order to rest on consensus rather than the imposition of power.
“The five subthemes of our meeting reflect this logical sequence. I look forward to the valuable insights of our experts and scholars and to the exchange of different perspectives.
“China has always supported peace, common development, mutual learning among civilizations and regional governance in the Middle East. We are ready to work with Türkiye and the countries of the region to seek ways forward amid change and sow seeds of hope amid turmoil.”
Sidebar — The End Of The Atlantic Age
Vatan Party Chairman Doğu Perinçek delivered the following address:
“Distinguished President and members of the leadership of DÜNYA-MER,
“Your Excellency, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, distinguished diplomats, respected leaders of political parties, trade unions and mass organizations, and distinguished guests:
“I greet you in the spirit of our shared responsibility to build humanity’s future.
“We stand on the threshold of historic decisions in building a ‘Community with a Shared Future for Humanity.’ We have reached the end of the Atlantic Age, and we can see the light of a new civilization rising from Asia.
“A new civilization and a new age always mean revolution.”
The Solution That Will Avert The Danger Of War
“We look at the international and class contradictions of today’s world: the system of imperialist interests and private profit has become a system of catastrophe, bringing destruction to humanity and nature. For this reason, the system of private interests, selfishness and individualism are now destined to belong to humanity’s past. Collectivism, sharing and altruism are humanity’s rising values and the heralds of a new civilization.
“The struggles of states for independence, nations for liberation and peoples for revolution are gaining momentum. This global struggle is also the only solution that can avert the danger of war and secure peace.”
The People’s Republic Of China Is A Bulwark Of Humanity
“We see US imperialism and Israeli Zionism at the root of the war that threatens civilization’s accumulated achievements and values. Yet humanity has the strength, the strongholds, and the accumulated legacy of heroism and civilization to defeat this threat.
“The People’s Republic of China, which made a very significant contribution to the establishment of DÜNYA-MER, is a bulwark of humanity. The achievements of the Chinese Revolution, described throughout the world as a miracle, are today among the foremost driving forces behind global development, global security and peace, the struggle for global civilization, and the Global Governance Initiative across the world.”
Humanity’s Front Line
“Our new civilization, which will build humanity’s shared future, is being forged through the struggles of nation-states for independence, nations for liberation and peoples for revolution.
“From Ankara, we extend our fraternal greetings and solidarity to the states and nations currently fighting on the front line of building humanity’s future.
“West Asia, which, like China, is home to ancient civilizations, is today humanity’s front line. The Republic of Yemen, the State of Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Russian Federation are fighting on the front line of the Global Security Initiative, writing epics of heroism. Iran is resisting US and Israeli aggression. We all stand with those fighting and resisting on our front line.
“Türkiye stands vigilant in the Eastern Mediterranean, while the People’s Republic of China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea stand vigilant along the shores of the Pacific Ocean.”
The Türkiye–Russia–China–Iran Alliance
“Today, the decisive force capable of preventing war lies in an alliance of Türkiye, Russia, China and Iran. This alliance is both the sword and the shield of the new civilization.
“Neoliberalism’s project of integration with imperialist capital has failed. Developing countries are achieving historic successes through the Global Development Initiative. It is becoming clear that, in three to five years, countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America will occupy the leading positions in world production. The People’s Republic of China’s international approach of ‘development through sharing’ plays a very important role in building humanity’s shared future.
“Throughout history, civilizations have been founded through revolutions. There are no exceptions. No civilization has ever been built by submitting to oppression. Today, through the Global Civilization Initiative, we are experiencing this same historical lesson once again.
“Civilizations are the work of states, of human creativity, of overcoming difficulties, of heroism and sacrifice. Thus, every civilization holds a pen in one hand and a sword in the other. As we share humanity’s civilizational heritage, we also share this understanding.”
We Are The Heirs To A Great Culture
“Civilization entered humanity’s journey with the emergence of states. Civilization therefore also means governance, innovation in governance and, today, the Global Governance Initiative. The Global Governance Initiative encompasses the contributions of the rising Eurasian civilization to national independence, production, sharing, government in the interests of the people, a strong public sector, freedom, democracy and peace.
“The revered saints of our Turkish nation’s tradition of peace and culture embrace both the lion and the gazelle. We are the heirs to a great culture in which the lion and the gazelle drink from the same spring. What guarantees that all can drink together from that spring is the strength and authority that secure peace. Asian civilization will free the springs from the tyranny of predatory beasts.
“The power to overcome the uncertainties, turmoil and difficulties into which the world has entered lies in humanity’s hands. The future is in our hands.
“Our tasks are difficult. Yet the advance in production, enlightenment and humanist culture that lies ahead for humanity will be the achievement of a struggle waged against those difficulties, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart.”