中文
Scholars and experts from China, India, Russia, Denmark, and other countries gave insights into the topic of exchange and mutual learning among civilizations at a seminar held in Yongding, Fujian province, on Friday.
Participants in the seminar focused on empathy as a crucial attribute for improving cultural exchange and people-to-people connectivity. Swaran Singh, a professor of international relations at India's Jawaharlal Nehru University, said to understand China requires understanding its culture, and that similar cultural elements can be found in cities around the world.
Li Xing, a professor at the Department of Politics and Society at Aalborg University in Denmark, said that culture brings people closer. He pointed out that many people misunderstood China because they did not understand that Chinese culture has never endorsed the notion that a strong country is bound to seek hegemony.
Wu Xiaodan, a special researcher at China Institute of International Studies, said Chinese culture can be summarized in three words: "peace," "amity," and "harmony."
Li Xiaohua, a senior journalist with China.org.cn, a Beijing-based news service, noted that cultural exchanges are a good way to enhance mutual trust between different nations.
"Chinese wisdom advocates imparting culture and knowledge rather than imposing," said Peng Bo, an assistant researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "The core of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations is to pursue mutual respect and seek common ground while reserving differences."
