President of the Republic of Chile Gabriel Boric Visits the Great Wall: Bring Each Other Closer

Climbing the Great Wall, touring the Forbidden City, and strolling through an evening fair–Gabriel Boric, the 37-year-old President of Chile, drew public attention when he visited China. In October 2023, Boric was invited to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and paid a state visit. His visit soon became a sensation on Chinese social media, as many noticed his easygoing and friendly demeanor.

In my boyhood, I came across the Great Wall in my history book, learning that it is considered the only artificial structure visible from the moon. Today, we are tingling with excitement to feel its grandeur in person. Stepping onto the Great Wall, one can’t help but be awestruck by the Chinese civilization, which has a history of over 5,000 years.

Upon his arrival in Beijing, Boric eagerly visited the Great Wall. Flanked by lush greenery, the Great Wall exudes a profound sense of splendor in early autumn. On October 16, as planned, Boric ascended the Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. This section, a highlight of the Great Wall built during the Ming Dynasty, showcases a grotesque landscape in autumn. Despite the passage of time, the Great Wall has stood resilient, emitting a vibrant aura.

As he strolled, Boric approached the battlements of the wall now and then and gazed at the distant hill scenery. “It’s humbling. I’m immensely proud to experience its greatness. There’s much to learn from the great Chinese civilization,”he remarked.

Boric also shared his thoughts on the visitor book. On behalf of the Chilean people, it’s a privilege to visit the Great Wall. Throughout history, the Great Wall has been a symbol of Chinese people’s love and aspirations for peace. Today, it bears witness to a harmonious intersection between different peoples and nature. We pay our homage to the history and future of the Great Wall.

“China has consistently been committed to peace,”said Boric during the interview.“Throughout world history, unlike many countries that resort to hegemonism and expansionism, China adopts peace and cooperation as its standpoint. This is truly marvelous.”

Chile is the first South American country to establish formal diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Over time, both countries have become trusted friends and valuable partners, jointly seeking development. Chile aims to serve as a bridgehead for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, a collaborative effort between China and Latin America.

The Great Wall is a symbol of peace. Each brick and building block of it stands in testament to the aspirations for peace of the Chinese nation. Boric shared his understanding of the outlook on peace of China, stating, “When the Great Wall was built, Ancient China was a major power, yet it refrained from pursuing hegemony. Instead, it sought to forward foreign relations based on peace and cooperation.”