The 4th Iran-China Cultural Relations Conference seeks to promote the scope of mutual understanding and knowledge of the two great ancient civilizations of Asia, with focus on the revival of the Silk Road.
International Affairs Deputy of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Hojatoleslam Mohammad Abolqasemi, addressing the opening ceremony on Saturday in Tehran, said, “Furthering information exchange and dialogue between the two nations is on the agenda.”
Notable among the participants were officials from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and thinkers and scholars from the two countries, Mehr News Agency reported.
Iran, with its rich religious tradition and culture, has been a pioneer in promoting peace and friendship among nations, Abolqasemi said.
The ICRO has official relations with 70 countries and welcomes organizing cultural events and exchange of ideas with more countries, cultures and religions internationally,” he asserted.
“With extremism and violence raising its ugly head in different regions, cultural dialogue could be used as a road to peace and cooperation between governments and communities,” he added.
In 2013, President Hassan Rouhani proposed the revival of the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and ‘Marine Silk Road’, calling all countries especially those hosting the ancient road, for cooperation.
Iran is one of the most stable countries in a region mired in violence, with ample opportunities for investment, and has hosted European delegations under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, following the July 14 nuclear accord with major world powers, he said.
By reviving the Silk Road, economic relations would provide opportunities for cultural exchanges as well. “It can provide regional nations with a common ground that will help them understand and appreciate their unique Asian identity and stand against western cultural inroads,” Abolqasemi said.
Iran and China, thanks to their long history of ties can further expand cooperation and transfer of knowledge in all fields. “Relations between Iran and China have great potentials and effective measures would lift the barriers to higher cultural relations,” he added.
Young Guang, CEO of CASS, also pointed to Iran as an important country on the Silk Road and said, “Following the policy of One Belt, One Road (OBOR), it will help China reach the West; implementing the project will further enhance cooperation between the two countries”.
OBOR (also known as the Belt and Road Initiative) is a development strategy and framework, proposed by China that focuses on connectivity and cooperation among countries primarily in Eurasia, and comprises two main components, the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) and oceangoing Maritime Silk Road (MSR). The strategy underlines China’s push to play a bigger role in global affairs.
Guang admired the wisdom in Tehran in reaching the historic nuclear agreement with the P5+1.
“The historic Silk Road between China and Iran reflects mutual respect and peace between the two countries and signifies the positive relations between the two great civilizations and powerful nations”.
Study of each other’s languages and culture, and sharing knowhow in technology and medicine are issues of mutual benefit between the two sides, he added.
