Abstract: Facing the question of where human civilization is headed in this era, the Global Civilization Initiative, based on the law of the unity of opposites in dialectical materialism as its philosophical foundation and integrating the traditional dialectical wisdom of the Chinese civilization of “harmony without uniformity,” has constructed a brand-new interpretative framework that is distinct from the Western civilization conflict theory. This Initiative, from the perspective of the generation logic, is the trinity of three dimensions deeply interwoven: historical continuity, theoretical breakthrough and practical response. From the perspective of intrinsic characteristics, it is centered around four pairs of dialectical opposites: differences and inclusiveness, universality and particularity, historicity and contemporaneity, as well as nationality and universality. More than acknowledging the equality and diversity of various civilizations, it also advocates the consolidation of universal values through mutual respect. At the same time, it strikes a balance between cultural inheritance and innovation as well as the national identity and the overall interests of humanity. To implement the Global Civilization Initiative, it is necessary to apply the method of contradiction analysis to eliminate the hegemonic discourse of civilizations, expand diverse channels for dialogue, and activate the contemporary vitality of cultural heritage, so as to enable various civilizations to achieve symbiosis and progress through equal exchanges.

Key words: the Global Civilization Initiative, law of the unity of opposites, diversity of civilizations, practicing direction, community of civilization