Remarks by Chinese Consul General in Munich Qiu Xuejun at the “Qingdao Meets Regensburg” Summer Cultural Reception

(July 16, 2026, Munich)

Distinguished Mayor Dr.Thomas Burger,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

Good afternoon!

It is with great pleasure to welcome you to the Consulate General for the "Qingdao Meets Regensburg" Summer Cultural Reception, where we will enjoy wonderful performances inspired by the timeless Chinese ideal of "finding a true friend through shared appreciation."

On behalf of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Munich, I extend the warmest welcome to all distinguished guests.

I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Qingdao and the City of Regensburg for the strong support in making today's event possible.

My special thanks also go to the Qingdao Little White Sail Art Troupe and the Cantemus Choir of Regensburg. Through your outstanding performances, you will help building bridges across nations and borders through the universal language of art, showcasing the beauty of Chinese and German cultures, and make contributions to cultural exchanges between China and Germany.

The theme of this reception is "Meeting." It represents not only the meeting of two sister cities-Qingdao and Regensburg-but also a dialogue between Eastern and Western civilizations.

In 2023, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, which advocate the respect for the diversity of civilizations, advocate the common values of humanity, advocate the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, advocate international people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations. In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution designating 10 June each year as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations. The establishment of this International Day reflects the humanity's shared aspiration and pursuit to deepen mutual understanding and foster harmonious coexistence among civilizations.

As the Chinese poem goes, "True friendship knows no distance; even thousands of miles cannot separate close friends." China and the state of Bavaria are geographically far apart, yet we have long been connected through cultural exchange and a shared commitment to dialogue.

As early as the seventeenth century, contacts between China and the House of Wittelsbach were established through missionary exchanges. Supported by the Bavarian royal court, missionaries introduced elements of Western science and culture to China while bringing Chinese treasures such as porcelain and silk back to Europe, laying an early foundation for exchanges.

Qingdao and Regensburg likewise share a remarkable partnership. Since establishing friendly cooperative relationship in 2009, the two cities have achieved fruitful cooperation across a wide range of fields. From collaboration between the Ports of Qingdao and Regensburg to expanding economic ties and people-to-people exchanges, the two cities have continued to write a successful story of mutual benefit and shared prosperity.

Tonight, young artists from Qingdao and Regensburg will perform together on the same stage. This collaboration vividly demonstrates how friendship can transcend geographical distance and cultural differences through music and art. It also echoes the vision of the Global Civilization Initiative.

The future of humanity belongs to the younger generation, and so does the future of dialogue among civilizations. Today's gathering will for sure plant the seeds of lasting friendship in the hearts of the young artists. In the years to come, those seeds will grow and bear fruit, enabling the youth to play an even greater role as bridges connecting China and Germany, as well as Eastern and Western civilizations.

Another famous Chinese poem reminds us: "Mountains may share the same clouds and rain, the bright moon belongs to no single homeland." The Consulate General looks forward to continuing to work together with all of you to deepen mutual understanding through dialogue, advance common progress through mutual learning, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind, where different civilizations will appreciate each other's beauty and prosper together in harmony.

In conclusion, let us join together in wishing the friendship between China and the state of Bavaria, and between Qingdao and Regensburg, lasting forever and continued success. Wish all of you good health, every success, and a wonderful evening as we enjoy this cultural celebration that brings people together across mountains and seas.

Thank you!