China's Global Civilization Initiative In Line With Bhinneka Tunggal Ika

Chairman of the Indonesian Cyber Media Network (JMSI), Teguh Santosa (IST)

GANZHOU The Global Civilization Initiative introduced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2023 is considered in line with the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. This diplomatic idea emphasizes the importance of mutual respect for civilization, upholding human values, and encouraging cultural exchanges peacefully.

This issue is one of the main topics discussed in the Belt and Road Journalists Forum which was held in Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China, July 18, 2025. The forum brought together hundreds of journalists from various countries to highlight the challenges of the media in maintaining global harmony.

In one of the sessions entitled Cross-Cultural Narrative Innovation and Media Obligations under the Global Civilization Initiative, there were international political observers as well as the General Chair of the Indonesian Cyber Media Network (JMSI), Teguh Santosa. He expressed his views on the Global Civilization Initiative and assessed that the principles were very close to the values upheld by the Indonesian nation.

Indonesia stands on the diversity of hundreds of ancient kingdoms and experiences of foreign colonialism. But we are united by the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, but still one, "said Teguh, who was born and raised in Medan, a city with a strong Chinese community.

As quoted in a written statement received on Saturday, July 19, this senior journalist who is also a lecturer at UIN Syarief Hidayatullah Jakarta explained that Indonesia's nationalism strength lies in its ability to accommodate cultural diversity and make it part of a national identity. According to him, the Chinese subculture is a legitimate part of a broader Indonesian culture.

However, Teguh admitted that he was worried about the current news trend. He highlighted the widespread use of "battle glasses" in the practice of citizenship, namely the perspective of the media which positioned differences as threats, not wealth.

"Residents are not fighters on the battlefield," he said. We are not fighting to win or lose, but to build a common understanding.

He also criticized the role of social media, which, in many countries, has taken over the function of professional journalists. This challenge, he said, could only be faced if the mainstream media strengthened capacity, credibility, and commitment to universal human values.

Teguh also invited forum participants to make the Belt and Road Journalists Network a space to build solidarity, respect each other culture, and grow a narrative across civilization that creates harmony, not polarization.