Photo taken on June 26, 2021 shows the view of the International Forest of Friendship in Chaoyang Park, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinyuan Wang/Guangming Picture)

The International Forest of Friendship in Chaoyang Park, Beijing, China’s capital city, is a living memorial to international honourees who have contributed to national independence and world peace. The forest was established in the 90s under the guidance of China’s central government and Beijing municipal government.

In the past decades, 23 statues of international heroes from 20 countries made by Mr. Yuan Xikun, a world renowned artist, as well as the curator of Beijing Jintai Museum, were emplaced there as a witness of the past, present and future of all mankind.

Photo taken on June 26, 2021 shows the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian anti-colonial nationalist, at the International Forest of Friendship, Chaoyang Park, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinyuan Wang/Guangming Picture)

The Forest has long provided a platform for in-depth international communication and cultural exchanges between multiple civilizations in memory of the victories and sacrifices that gained equality and respect we share today.

Photo taken on June 26, 2021 shows the statue named “Soviet Eagle Pilot”, built in commemoration of 70th anniversary of anti-fascism victory, at the International Forest of Friendship, Chaoyang Park, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinyuan Wang/Guangming Picture)

Annual social events are organised there each year with joint efforts of Beijing Jintai Museum and various embassies in Beijing, including Russia, Cuba, India, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Uruguay, etc., in honour of the national heroes who fought the fight to bring independence to their country and people, while contributing to the shared future of the world.

“History teaches us that multilateralism, equality, and justice can keep war and conflict at bay, while unilateralism and power politics will inflate dispute and confrontation.” Remembering the words of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his speech at the BRICS summit last year, the Forest presents past lessons and future hope of the international community.

Photo taken on June 26, 2021 shows the statue of José de San Martín, the prime leader of the southern and central parts of South America’s successful struggle for independence, at the International Forest of Friendship, Chaoyang Park, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinyuan Wang/Guangming Picture)

The world is undergoing rapid and unprecedented change unseen in a century. However, peace and development remain the theme of our time, and mutually beneficial cooperation for common development remains the way forward. Since the Covid-19 outbreak, the growing importance of building a community with a shared future for mankind is constantly recognised by the global family.

Like President Xi once said, China will continue to be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. Along the way, cooperation from all sides are needed upon international development as the common wellbeing of humanity continuously improved in the construction of a global community of shared future.