Art And Culture
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First Silk Road Expo Opens in China

Ali Jannati (3rd left ) at the 1st Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, China, September 20.
Ali Jannati (3rd left ) at the 1st Silk Road International Cultural Expo in Dunhuang, China, September 20.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati is attending the first Silk Road International Cultural Expo in China.

At the two-day event that started Tuesday in the city of Dunhuang, in northwest China, culture ministers of China, Iran, Tunisia, Ukraine, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, senior cultural officials and cultural experts from the Silk Road countries, are participating.

The Silk Road is an ancient network of trade routes that were central to cultural interaction through regions of Asia connecting the West and East.

Organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the expo aims to promote cultural exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative, IRNA reported.

Speaking at the session, Jannati referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping's plan 'One Belt, One Road' and said to achieve peace and harmony, the world needs to fight against extremism and radicalism.

The initiative also knows as 'The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road' is a significant development strategy launched by the Chinese government in 2013 with the intention of promoting economic co-operation among countries along the proposed Belt and Road routes.

It has been designed to enhance the orderly free flow of commerce and efficient allocation of resources. It is also intended to further market integration and create a regional economic cooperation framework for the benefit of all.

"Despite all the scientific and technical developments, the world has not yet reached peace and harmony. It is totalitarianism and extremism that cause wars and conflicts across the globe," Jannati said. A peaceful world cannot be achieved by force and a collective will is crucial to improve cultural and social interaction and dialogue.

The second day of the event on September 21 coincides with the International Day of Peace declared by the United Nations. "Dialogue among civilizations and cultures can help solve the problems in today's world," Jannati asserted.

Iran's culture minister also noted that Xi's plan will pave the way for a better understanding among nations and will eventually help put an end to extremism.

Financialtribune.com