On September 14, 2023 Beijing Cultural Forum opened in Beijing. Li Shulei, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the Central Propaganda Department, read out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony. Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Secretariat, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Cai Qi pointed out that President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter has profoundly elucidated the Chinese nation's openness and inclusive cultural mindset and the outstanding characteristics of Chinese civilization, and has clearly declared China's firm determination and policy proposition to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, strengthen cultural exchanges with all parts of the world, and jointly promote the prosperity and development of culture. We should take the spirit of the letter as a guide to build a modern Chinese civilization at a higher level, carry out extensive civilization exchanges and mutual understanding, and inject deep and lasting cultural strength into the promotion of the building of a community of human destiny.

Cai Qi emphasized that we should insist on self-confidence and self-improvement, take Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era as our guide, conscientiously implement the fundamental requirement of "two combinations", unswervingly take the road of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, vigorously carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture, systematically protect the historical and cultural heritage, and give full play to the leading role of socialist core values to cultivate the spiritual strength for national rejuvenation. We should insist on putting the people first, unifying ideology and artistry, promoting the main theme and advocating diversification, creating and producing more masterpieces, developing cultural undertakings and industries, and continuously enriching the people's spiritual world. We should adhere to the principle of innovation, not forgetting the past, absorbing the present and facing the future, innovating in keeping with the theme of the times, innovating in solving practical problems, innovating in strengthening scientific and technological empowerment, and striving to stimulate the vitality of cultural development. We should adhere to openness and tolerance, promote mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among different civilizations, break down barriers to cultural exchanges with a broad mindset of accepting all rivers, promote the vitality of our own civilization in exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations, and carry out extensive exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Cai Qi said that China will work with the international community to uphold its cultural stance, promote the common values of all mankind, and strive to create a new situation of humanistic exchanges, cultural integration and people-to-people communication among countries around the world. It is hoped that the Beijing Cultural Forum will produce results and make an impact, and build a first-class platform to promote cultural exchanges and deepen mutual understanding among civilizations.

Yin Li, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Tie Ning, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, attended the opening ceremony.

The 2023 Beijing Cultural Forum is co-organized by the Central Propaganda Department and the Beijing Municipal Party Committee and Beijing Municipal People's Government. Heads of propaganda and cultural units from the central and local governments, renowned experts, scholars, writers, artists and industry leaders, as well as international dignitaries and heads of international organizations in the field of culture participated in the Forum.