Xi calls on joint efforts to boost Asian cultures

Special: Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations

President Xi Jinping called on Tuesday for concerted efforts from various countries to build even more brilliant civilizations amid exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures.

Xi made the remark at a welcoming banquet for guests attending the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations on Tuesday evening in Beijing.

China's hosting of the conference conforms to the trend of cooperation and development in Asia as well as the expectations of Asians for exchanges and mutual learning of various civilizations, Xi said.

The conference has built up a platform of exchanges and mutual learning among different cultures for common progress, he added.

Xi initiated such a meeting at the fourth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia in 2014, and proposed holding the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations at the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia in 2015.

Xi said the initiative has won acclaim and support from many countries.

Cultures nourish and guide the development of history, the thriving of societies and the progress of humanity, the president noted.

Xi added that diversified civilizations in Asia have been interacting with each other in an open and inclusive manner and have developed through innovation.

He noted that Chinese civilization has been open and inclusive over a constant history of more than 5,000 years.

Since the People's Republic of China was founded 70 years ago, the country has been adhering to protecting and carrying forward traditional Chinese culture and advancing exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures, Xi said, adding it has made positive contributions to the progress of human civilization.

He called on countries attending the conference to work together to make civilizations more brilliant amid exchanges and mutual learning.