BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- In today's fractured world, dialogue based on mutual respect is the right path forward, said Gert Grobler, a former South African diplomat, during the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting held from Thursday to Friday in Beijing.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Grobler said the meeting facilitated in-depth exchanges, built consensus, and contributed wisdom and momentum to strengthening mutual understanding among nations while fostering the harmonious coexistence of diverse civilizations.

"We are different, but it is important that we embrace each other," Grobler said. "Whether the issues we face are political, economic, or cultural, dialogue is the key."

Grobler, who served as South Africa's ambassador to Spain, Japan and Madagascar, praised China's openness in sharing its development experience and models. "China's approach offers valuable lessons and new opportunities for cooperation."

Emphasizing the interdependence of peace and development, Grobler noted, "You cannot have peace without development, and development cannot be achieved without peace."

He highlighted this as a core message of China's Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and said that the initiative, alongside the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, is gaining growing recognition and support from the international community.

"I believe the GCI is a timely and constructive contribution toward building peace and development based on mutual respect," Grobler said.

Reflecting on his recent visits to Chinese cities on the sidelines of the meeting, Grobler expressed admiration for the country's achievements in rural revitalization, scientific innovation, and cultural preservation.

"We witnessed impressive examples of rural development, and China's advances in artificial intelligence and green energy are also remarkable," he said, adding that these are all essential sectors for the future of the global economy.

Grobler also spoke highly of China's rich cultural heritage, which he experienced firsthand during his museum visits. "We received insightful briefings on China's long and continuous civilization spanning thousands of years. This is something the world should see and better understand."

He welcomed recent changes in China's visa policy, believing that such measures will further promote people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding.