China will hold a globalization forum calling for respect for cultural diversity, according to a press conference held in Beijing Wednesday.

The forum, titled "The Third Globalization Forum on World Cultural Diversity," is to be held in Hangzhou, the provincial capital of east China's Zhejiang, on November 8 and 9 this year.

The meeting is being jointly organized by People's Daily, the Globalization Cooperation Foundation and United Nation's Education, Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"As multi-polarization, economic globalization and cultural diversity are becoming the three major trends in the world's development, cultural identities will protrude in the fabric of economic globalization," said He Chongyuan, vice president of People's Daily. "We should encourage dialogue on this issue."

Approximately 180 participants from home and abroad are expected to attend the forum to discuss issues such as "Respect and Nurture Cultural Diversity and Push Forward Equal Dialogues between Diverse Civilizations," "Creative City Development and Cultural Diversity," and "Uniqueness of National Culture and Diversity of World Cultures."

Hangzhou was chosen as the host city as it was once named by the United Nations as the "Best Human Residence Environment" and the "International Garden City."

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2005)