In a bid to elevate the historical and global significance of the ancient Silk Road, the city of Dunhuang, located in Northwest China’s Gansu Province, proudly opened its doors to the 6th Silk Road International Cultural Expo this Wednesday. Dunhuang, historically, served as an intersection of various civilizations, making it the perfect backdrop for such a prestigious gathering.
The event welcomed over 1,200 attendees, a considerable portion coming from countries actively supporting China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), notably including the Expo’s Guest of Honor, Turkmenistan.
To delve deeper into Dunhuang’s rich history as a melting pot of diverse civilizations, 13 enlightening conferences have been scheduled under the Dunhuang Forum umbrella. One of the significant discussions was aptly titled “global significance of Dunhuang studies” and took place immediately following the grand opening ceremony. This forum attracted the intellectual prowess of over 100 international experts hailing from various corners of the globe, including Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
Su Bomin, a prominent figure heading the Dunhuang Academy, shed light on the depth of Dunhuang culture. This culture doesn’t merely reflect the confluence of ancient civilizations such as India, Greece, and Persia in China; it also plays a pivotal role in today’s academic dialogues. It fosters global academic collaborations, reminiscent of initiatives like the International Dunhuang Project launched in 1994. Su aptly mentioned, “The study of Dunhuang stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of both Chinese and international scholars.”
Marking 2023 as the BRI’s 10th anniversary, several forums have been crafted to bridge the historical exchanges of the Silk Road with the contemporary frameworks of the BRI. One such notable event is the China-Central Asia and ASEAN Development Cooperation Forum, slated for Thursday. This forum promises comprehensive discussions on multifaceted agendas such as cultural and educational partnerships between China and Uzbekistan, technological collaborations with Tajikistan, and strategies for Chinese enterprises in the Singaporean marketplace.
Highlighting the event’s significance, Ma Xiaojie, an academician from Lanzhou University, remarked on the BRI’s global evolution over a decade. This initiative has spurred growth, fostering policy dialogues, road connectivity, and trade ties, especially between China, Central Asian, and ASEAN nations.
Turkmenistan, reflecting its central Asian heritage, is set to mesmerize attendees with its exclusive expo pavilion. This pavilion is a tribute to Turkmenistan’s rich tapestry of tourism, age-old arts, and indigenous folk cultures, reinforcing the deepening ties between China and Turkmenistan.
Complementing these insightful discussions are nine exhibitions showcasing recent advancements in Dunhuang research. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Dunhuang mural painting ‘Feitian,’ a grand musical bearing the same name is set to dazzle audiences with its 14 songs.
Since its inception in 2016, the Silk Road International Cultural Expo stands as China’s premier event, singularly dedicated to fostering cultural dialogues among BRI countries. This year’s chapter concludes on Thursday, leaving attendees enriched and enlightened.
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