Core Viewpoint - The 2025 China-Europe Annual Speech Conference was held in Paris, focusing on "civilizational dialogue and future foresight" to create a platform for cultural exchange between China and Europe [1][2]. Group 1: Event Overview - The conference took place at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on December 19, 2025, organized by the European Times Cultural Media Group [1][3]. - The event aimed to gather thinkers and practitioners from key fields such as literature, education, technology, and social innovation to engage in discussions on cultural understanding and future collaboration [1]. Group 2: Key Participants and Contributions - Notable attendees included Yang Xinyu, China's permanent representative to UNESCO, and former UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, who emphasized the importance of dialogue for cooperation and peace [2]. - The president of the European Times Cultural Media Group, Zhong Cheng, highlighted the organization's evolution from a traditional media outlet to a cultural media group that spans multiple languages and media formats [2]. Group 3: Highlights of the Conference - The conference featured speeches from seven distinguished guests, including representatives from the British Museum and notable authors, who were awarded the "2025 China-Europe Friendship Influence Annual Ceremony" trophy for their contributions to cultural exchange [5]. - A roundtable discussion followed the speeches, focusing on themes such as multicultural coexistence, youth education, and the underlying logic of cultural understanding [5].

Group 1 - The conference, titled "Civilization Dialogue: Anticipating the Future," aims to create a platform for cultural exchange between China and Europe, focusing on key areas such as literature, education, technology, and social innovation [2][4] - Notable speakers at the event included French author Marc Levy, British Museum curator Jessica Harrison-Hall, and Chinese author Liu Zhenyun, among others, who delivered impactful speeches [4][3] - The event awarded the "2025 China-Europe Friendship: Influence Annual Ceremony" trophy to speakers in recognition of their contributions to promoting China-Europe exchanges and cultural understanding [4][5] Group 2 - A roundtable discussion followed the speeches, where the speakers engaged in high-density exchanges on topics such as multicultural coexistence, youth education, and the underlying logic of cultural understanding [7]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience in understanding regions like Xinjiang, contrasting it with perceptions shaped by media narratives [4] Group 1: Observations from Xinjiang - The author visited Xinjiang three times, noting significant cultural and infrastructural developments during these trips [2][3] - The first visit in 2016 highlighted the warmth and confidence of local residents, particularly children, which contrasted with international narratives [2] - By 2018, the author observed substantial progress in Xinjiang, including modern infrastructure alongside traditional markets [2] Group 2: Cultural Exchange and Misconceptions - In 2023, a group of French scholars and publishers experienced a stark contrast between their expectations and the reality of Xinjiang, noting the vibrant local culture and community interactions [3] - The author published a book titled "The End of Uyghur Fake News" in 2020, which aimed to debunk myths about Xinjiang and received recognition from Chinese officials, leading to personal and professional challenges in France [3] Group 3: Recognition and Advocacy - The author received the Orchid Award for Outstanding Achievement, which serves as encouragement to continue advocating for truth and understanding in the face of adversity [3] - The article calls for Western nations to better understand China and its rich cultural heritage, emphasizing that true understanding comes from direct observation rather than hearsay [4]