Foreign representatives gather in Dunhuang for civilization dialogue

International guests gather at the Fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations in the city of Dunhuang, Northwest China’s Gansu Province on May 30, 2025. Photo: Zhang Changyue/GT

In late May, the city of Dunhuang, a key historical hub of Eastern and Western cultures in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, basked in clear and refreshing weather under a brilliant blue sky. The rugged Mingsha Mountain, renowned for the musical sounds produced by wind-blown sands when the wind blows, stood in silent majesty. To the close north of the mountain’s massive golden dunes stood the city’s international convention center, where some 400 guests from 60 countries host cultural exchanges and mutual learning. 

At the Fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations which kicked off on Friday, representatives stressed the importance for different civilizations to enhance dialogue and cooperation to achieve mutual benefit and greater understanding. 

They called for boosting mutual respect and inclusive exchange in cultural interactions to jointly address global challenges, and upholding cultural roots while promoting innovation and the creative development of traditional culture in the context of modernization.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Association for International Understanding and People’s Government of Gansu Province, the event is themed “Carrying Forward the Silk Road Spirit to Gather Momentum for the Implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative.”

Around 400 participants attended the event, including current and former political leaders, heads of non-governmental organizations, renowned Sinologists, experts and scholars, prominent cultural figures, writers and museum directors. They represented 60 countries covering Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America, including Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Russia, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador and Argentina.

Fan Jinshi, honorary president of Dunhuang Academy, explained in her speech in the opening session how the city of Dunhuang, a vital hub along the ancient Silk Road, developed into a key crossroads where Chinese civilization intersected with foreign cultures. 

“The cultural heritage represented by the Dunhuang cave art and the manuscripts from the Mogao Library Cave reflects a spirit of openness and grandeur that embraced and integrated diverse foreign influences, embodying the inclusive, coexistent and character of Chinese culture,” Fan said.

Fan emphasized that the ancient Silk Road played a monumental role in advancing economic development and cultural exchange for humanity, expressing her hope that people draw upon its legacy of mutual learning and cultural dialogue to foster the flourishing of cultures as nations across the world share the mission of pursuing peace and development.

Following the opening session, parallel sessions on literature, museum cooperation, digital Silk Road, legal foundation of humanity’s shared values, youth cross-cultural dialogue and AI will be held on Friday and Saturday. The foreign guests are also taken to Mogao Caves, Mingsha Mountain, Crescent Lake and Dunhuang Museum to enjoy the charm of the ancient city with a history of 2,000 years.

“I’m very glad to be part of this truly diverse and international community that has brought together writers, scholars and professors from all parts of the world,” said Najeeba Arif, chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, a premier national organization to promote Pakistan literature and language.

Arif, who participated the parallel session on literature, told the Global Times that she believed the symposium will bridge the gaps between different nations. “Human beings tend to fear everything which is unknown. If we know people around us, we are not fearful of them. We just start loving them. Knowing is the key to creating a more harmonious society,” said Najeeba Arif.

As night fell, rows of upright poplar trees lining the roads stretched their branches skyward, standing tall and proud. They were like ceremonial guards welcoming visiting foreign guests and watching over the ancient city. At a crossroads, an illuminated sculpture glowed brightly against the darkening sky with lighted words in both Chinese and English “Dunhuang, A Place Appeals to All Hearts.”