Intercultural exchanges boost understanding

Strengthening inter-civilizational exchanges and mutual learning is essential to building mutual trust and shared prosperity, a senior official said on Friday, urging greater international cooperation on people-to-people and cultural interactions.

"International grassroots communities hold unique advantages in fostering inclusiveness and coexistence among countries and ethnic groups, and play a crucial role as a bridge for mutual learning between civilizations," said Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Liu made the remarks at a subforum of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting held in Beijing.

He highlighted China's ongoing efforts to promote people-to-people connectivity through openness and inclusiveness, citing the success of cultural festivals, art exhibitions and initiatives such as the "Chinese Bridge" language competition.

"Creations like Black Myth: Wukong, Ne Zha, and Labubu have also won the hearts of young people worldwide," Liu said.

Calling on international grassroots communities to jointly advance global cultural exchanges, Liu stressed the importance of strengthening ties across multiple sectors. "Let us tighten the bonds of mutual understanding and affinity, and enhance cooperation among political parties, parliaments, women, youth, education, sports, media, think tanks, nongovernmental organizations and local communities," he said.

Echoing Liu's call for deeper people-to-people exchanges, Nawal El Moutawakel, vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and former Moroccan minister of youth and sports, highlighted how sports serve as a powerful platform for fostering unity and understanding across cultures. "Sport builds bridges of understanding. It does not build walls, but bridges of solidarity between all people and all nations," El Moutawakel said.

She emphasized the unifying power of sports in bringing athletes under one roof and acknowledged China's significant contributions to advancing the Olympic movement. Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics demonstrated this spirit.

This belief in the unifying power of cultural practices resonates with individuals like Jake Pinnick, a wushu athlete from the United States and the 16th generation disciple of the Wudang Sanfeng Sect, a Taoist sect created by legendary Taoist figure Zhang Sanfeng at China's most sacred site of Taoism, Wudang Mountain in Hubei province. Pinnick has spent the past 15 years in China immersing himself in martial arts and Taoist traditions.

"Wushu is one of the most universal forms of practice," he said. "Our cultures and languages may differ, but we all train in the same way — kicking, stretching and practicing together. Martial arts can be a path to health, a way to better understand our bodies, and a means of exploring the mind."