Bridging civilisations, guarding identity: Malaysia’s role in China’s Global Civilisation Initiative

WHEN China's President Xi Jinping launched the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI) in 2023, it marked a new chapter in diplomacy, an effort to promote cultural diversity, mutual learning and civilisational dialogue.

For China, the GCI showcases its soft power as an alternative to Western narratives. For Malaysia, a multicultural nation with deep historical ties to China, the initiative offers opportunities but also strategic challenges.