Ancient Civilization Forum opens
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E-mail Xinhua, April 25, 2017
CLASH OR COORDINATION
At Monday's ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the forum, the ministers stressed the common vision to utilize cultural heritage to promote friendly relations, international cooperation, peace, stability and prosperity.
Foreign ministers attending the meeting reached the consensus that the so-called "clash of civilizations" can be avoided through dialogue and cooperation.
Greek diplomats said it was the first time that countries from four continents meet around the same table for a cultural initiative, aiming to form a "positive agenda" of cooperation.
Although the countries participating in the forum come from different geographical areas and cultures, they are all considered cradles of ancient cultures and are coming together to discuss issues such as the "role of culture as a source of soft power and the key tool of a modern and multidimensional foreign policy," the Independent Balkan News Agency reported.
Another aim of the forum is to highlight the international cultural cooperation as a factor for economic development.
"Civilization brings diversity closer, it is a source of wealth," Kotzias said, "Civilization is both global power and financial power, creating jobs, promoting economy. "
In his meeting with Greek leaders and foreign ministers from other countries, the Chinese foreign minister stressed the ongoing forum derives from the same origin as the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in the sense that they both provide thoughts and culture for the cooperation of countries across the world with focuses on peaceful development and common prosperity.
Wang said the 10 countries convene to derive "nutrition" from their ancient values and civilizations to realize their own development, provide solutions to today's world challenges as well as explore new development path for the all human beings.
China advocates that different civilizations should understand and be tolerant of each other to promote common development, he said.
"Only through dialogue of different civilizations can we maintain regional and global stability," he added.
He stressed that only through peaceful means should all the disputes and conflicts be addressed as "dialogues" should serve as the bridge.
"China has been treasuring peace but also respecting the differences and diversity of different cultures and civilizations, " Wang said. "The whole world, whose fate has never been so closely knitted, is a community of common destiny. "
He called on all the countries to reject "conflicts of civilization", transcend social and ideological differences and prejudices.
The senior Chinese diplomat also urged all the present countries to join hands to strengthen their cooperation, so as to achieve common prosperity and development.
"We should inherit our traditional cultures, remain confidence and respect and honor each others' social system and development path," Wang said.
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