Liu Xincheng, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and also executive vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, delivered a speech at a forum in Shanghai on Nov 21.

The fourth Cross-Straits Scholars Forum on World History, co-hosted by the Ye Shengtao Research Association of China and Fudan University, focused on the theme of “World History Studies in the Changing World”.

Liu, who is also vice-chairman of the association named after renowned Chinese writer and educator Ye Shengtao (1894-1988), said that the COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder that all countries are part of a global community and no one can stay immune in a major crisis.

Studying the world history can help people understand the traditions, cross-cultural interactions, overall development and diversities in different countries and regions, said Liu, so people can better know their position in the world.

In his speech, Liu called for scholars of world history to draw inspiration from Chinese culture and wisdom, transcend their ethnocentric views, and provide insights that can lead to a long-term vision.

Most of the scholars from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan participated in the one-day meeting virtually, due to COVID-19. Gao Youdong, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, chaired the opening ceremony.