Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday proposed extensive dialogue between different civilizations and cultures in the spirit of equality and tolerance so as to avoid conflicts caused by ignorance or prejudice.

"The civilizations of different nations are all fruits of human wisdom and contribution to human progress; they call for mutual respect," Wen said in a speech delivered at Harvard University in Boston, the final leg of his four-day official visit to the United States.

"Conflicts triggered by ignorance or prejudice are sometimes more dreadful than those caused by contradictory interests," he said. "We propose to seek common ground in the spirit of equality and tolerance, and carry on extensive inter-civilization dialogue and closer cultural exchanges."

Wen noted that mankind is confronted with more complicated economic and social problems in the 21st century and the cultural element will have a more important role to play in the century.

"Different nations may speak different languages, but their hearts and feelings are interlinked. Different cultures present manifold features, yet they often share the same rational core elements that can always be passed on by people."

Wen said that mankind is currently in the middle of a period of drastic social change and it would be a wise approach for all countries to carry forward their fine cultural heritages by tracing back their origins, passing on the essentials, learning from one another and breaking new grounds.

"My appeal is that we work together with our wisdom and strength for the progress and development of human civilization," he added. "Our success will do credit to our forbears and bring benefit to our posterity."

In his speech, Wen briefed the audience on China's splendid ancient civilization, its current reforms and opening-up, and its ambitious modernization plan.

"China yesterday was a big ancient country that created a splendid civilization," he said. "China today is a country in reform and opening-up and a rising power dedicated to peace."

"China tomorrow will continue to be a major country that loves peace and has a great deal to look forward to," said Wen, who hoped his speech will increase American young people's understanding of China.

"A deeper mutual understanding is a two-way process," he said. "I hope American young people will turn their eyes to China. I also trust our young people will turn their eyes more to the United States."

Wen flew in earlier in the day from Washington, where he held talks with US President George W. Bush on Tuesday. The United States is the first stop of Wen's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Canada, Mexico and Ethiopia.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2003)