Bangladesh and China on Wednesday underscored the need for stronger civilizational dialogue, cultural cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity as scholars, policymakers, diplomats and cultural figures gathered in Dhaka to mark the inaugural UN International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
The event, titled “Dialogue Between Kindred Spirits,” was jointly organized by the Embassy of China in Bangladesh and the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA) at the National Library of Bangladesh.
Speakers said Bangladesh-China relations are moving beyond traditional infrastructure and economic cooperation toward deeper intellectual, cultural, and social engagement.
Addressing the program as chief guest, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the world is at a “critical juncture in human history,” marked by growing misunderstanding, division, and what he called the “dangerous rhetoric of cultural superiority.”
Referring to the newly observed UN International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, he said the initiative carries a vital global message.
“No civilization is superior or inferior to another. Diversity is not a threat; it is humanity’s greatest strength,” he said.
Chowdhury also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Global Civilization Initiative, saying its emphasis on shared human values and people-to-people exchanges aligns with Bangladesh’s commitment to inclusive development.
“Civilizations do not clash when they meet; they thrive through exchange and forge ahead through mutual learning,” he added.
Highlighting the historical depth of bilateral ties, he said Bangladesh and China share centuries of cultural and intellectual exchange.
“China and Bangladesh are not recent acquaintances; we are ancient friends linked by rivers, mountains and millennia of shared history,” he said, referencing Atish Dipankar as a symbol of longstanding ties.
Yao Wen echoed similar views, saying civilizational diversity remains one of the world’s greatest strengths.
He noted that China, with a cultural history spanning thousands of years, has long upheld the philosophy of “harmony without seeking uniformity.”
According to the ambassador, the Global Civilization Initiative offers a framework for overcoming division through dialogue and cultural understanding.
Yao paid tribute to the cultural heritage of both nations, citing national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Atish Dipankar as enduring symbols of spiritual and intellectual exchange.
He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening academic, youth, and media exchanges with Bangladesh.
“China stands ready to strengthen dialogue mechanisms and contribute China-Bangladesh strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind,” he said.
Prof Dr Md Shahabul Haque said ABCA has been working since its establishment in 2020 to strengthen bilateral ties by connecting Bangladeshi graduates of Chinese universities through academic and social initiatives.
He said the event also featured an art exhibition by Bangladeshi artists who recently visited China, reflecting growing cultural exchange.
Prof Dr Mohammad Mainul Islam, acting dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Dhaka, said sustainable cooperation must rest on a strong civilizational foundation.
A Peking University PhD holder, he called for a shift “from infrastructure to people-centered cooperation,” particularly through language and cultural engagement.
While Mandarin education is expanding in Bangladesh, he stressed the importance of promoting Bangla in China to deepen mutual understanding.
“The greatest potential for Bangladesh-China partnership lies in mutual recognition of dignity and culture,” he said.
Representing the business community, Han Kun, president of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), said that while Chinese firms contribute to infrastructure development in Bangladesh, the most meaningful connections are human.
“Trust is not measured in megawatts or kilometers of roads, but in moments when a Chinese engineer recites Tagore or a Bangladeshi colleague shares tea during the Spring Festival,” he said.
Han added that Chinese enterprises remain committed to fostering cultural reciprocity alongside economic cooperation.
The event concluded with calls for stronger friendship, expanded cultural collaboration, and deeper people-to-people engagement between Bangladesh and China, with participants expressing hope that such exchanges will contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world.
