Photo: Courtesy of organizers

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states carry forward the tradition of civilizational exchanges along the ancient Silk Road, as well as the philosophy of mutual learning among civilizations and peaceful coexistence, Sohail Khan, Deputy Secretary-General of the SCO at the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue among SCO Countries said in Tianjin on Wednesday. 

In an exclusive interview with the Global Times, Khan noted that the cultural exchanges and dialogues among SCO countries "represents the continuation and elevation of the ancient Silk Road in the contemporary era."

Under the theme of Promoting the Global Civilization Initiative and Building a Beautiful Common Home of the SCO, the event highlights achievements of cultural dialogues and exchanges among SCO countries through keynote speeches, exhibitions and panel sessions.

The Global Times observed that sculptures of Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, Pakistan poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Tajik poet Rudaki and others were exhibited, serving as a vivid demonstration of cultural exchanges. 

"You see, that [exhibition] is the power of dialogue and mutual respect," Khan told the Global Times, seeing people appreciating these art pieces and taking photos with them. 

"The basis of the Global Civilization Initiative is mutual respect. What we did is that instead of problems, we should have more harmony, more cooperation. And that's why this conversation is necessary," he said, adding "hopefully we will see that these differences, these confrontations, these contradictions that exist today in certain areas will definitely go away in the near future through dialogues like this."

His opinion was echoed by Zainidin Kurmanov, Vice-Rector of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, who does not believe Western theories on different civilizations. In recent years, some scholars and politicians in the West have been peddling once again the clash of civilizations theory, first proposed by American political scientist Samuel Huntington in 1993. They portray some civilizations as superior to others and seek to divide countries through ideological and racial lines.

Kurmanov believes the future of human beings lies in the Global Civilization Initiative, which aims to build a world where civilizations do not collide but converse. "No civilization in the world is superior to others, and every civilization is equal and unique. Civilizations have come in different colors, and such diversity renders exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations relevant and valuable," he said.

The world today is divided by stereotypes, and misunderstandings breed conflicts. Tatiana Urzhumtseva, counselor of the Russian Embassy in China and director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, considers that language has always been the most powerful weapon for peace. Among SCO countries, a space that bears the destiny of billions of people, learning languages, especially Russian and Chinese, which are the official languages of the SCO, is merely an academic task. 

"It is a key that holds the power to safeguard the diversity of our civilizations. SCO languages are connecting the world," she told the Global Times. 

She gave an example, saying that just imagine: How can one truly understand China without knowing Chinese characters? There, the character "he," meaning peace, contains the profound implication of balance between two parts, grain and people. How can one truly comprehend Russia without being familiar with the Cyrillic alphabet? There, the word happiness in Russia has, throughout history, carried the connotation of "jointly participating in" one's destiny.

Zafar-Ud-Din Mahmood, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, told the Global Times that the world needs to learn more about China, particularly about its economic development, the prosperity of the Chinese people and the changes which have taken place in China during the last few decades.

"It is not up to only China to go and tell what we are. So I think the other countries should also come learn more about China," he said.