CRI听力:Xi Becomes First Chinese President to Visit UNESCO Headquarters

Chinese president Xi Jinping has made a stop at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, in Paris.

CRI's Tu Yun has more.

Reporter: President Xi Jinping's speech at UNESCO headquarters has been mainly focused on China's acknowledgment of UNESCO'S role in preserving cultural diversity around the world.

Addressing a packed auditorium of representatives from UNESCO's member-states, Xi Jinping says every civilization in the world needs to be respected.

"Civilizations are like water, moistening everything silently. We need to encourage different civilizations to respect one and another and live together in harmony, while promoting the exchanges and mutual learning as a bridge of friendship among peoples, a driving force behind human progress and a strong bond for world peace."

The Chinese president also says he hopes the world can appreciate China as a dynamic and innovative civilization.

"As China continues to make economic and social progress, the Chinese civilization will keep pace with the times and acquire greater vitality. A civilization carries on its back the soul of a country or a nation. It needs to be passed on from one generation to the next. And more importantly it needs to keep pace with times and innovate with courage. As we pursue the Chinese dream, the Chinese people will encourage creativeness and innovative development of the Chinese civilization."

China has been a part of UNESCO since its inception following World War II.

As the first Chinese head of state to visit the organization's headquarters, Xi Jinping is also promising greater Chinese support for UNESCO's work around the world, particularly in promoting education and cultural exchanges.

Xi Jinping has also revealed in his speech that the Chinese government has decided to triple the number of scholarships it provides to students from Africa and other developing countries in the coming year.

The Chinese President's wife, Peng Liyuan, who is with her husband on his current trip to Europe, has also been appointed as an ambassador for promoting equal education opportunities for girls and women by UNESCO.

China is home to 45 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Authorities in China are actively trying to enshrine more of this country's historical sites and intangible cultural heritage on to UNESCO's lists.

For CRI, I'm Tu Yun.