By Liu Zhonghua, People’s Daily
The fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held on June 15 in Dushanbe, capital city of Tajikistan.
Participated by more than 10 heads of state, government delegations from 27 countries, and over 650 journalists, the event has drawn huge attention from the international society.
A photo exhibition opened to public in the Tajik capital on the same day alongside CICA. More than 50 pictures from 27 CICA member states were displayed, demonstrating from individualized perspectives the cultural diversity and colorful life of Asian countries, as well as Asian people’s solidarity, openness, and inclusiveness.
In order to enhance media’s understanding of Asian cultures, the Tajik side held a reception for journalists at Rokhat Teahouse in Dushanbe on the eve of CICA. The folk songs as well as classic music of other Asian countries played by local bands presented the beauty of traditional folk music and cultural diversity to the journalists.
Rated as one of the most beautiful teahouses in the world, the Rokhat Teahouse is decorated with traditional Tajik patterns on its walls and ceilings, with a spacious corridor outside offering shade for guests.
Early in the 10th century, Chinese tea and tea culture were introduced to Tajikistan through the ancient Silk Road. They gradually came into the daily life of the Tajik people and were developed with Central Asian characteristics.
Teahouse has developed into an important place for entertainment and social activities among the Tajik people who are proud of their tea culture. And the Chinese green tea still remains the best drink for local people to treat their guests.
Besides tea, the papermaking technology, silk and ceramics were also spread to Central and Western Asia along the ancient Silk Road. Meanwhile, the vegetables and fruits, such as grapes, pomegranates, carrots and broad beans, were traded to the East.
With exchanges and cooperation, Asian countries went hand in hand toward common development over the past thousands of years. Mutual learning among different civilizations has enhanced communication among Asian countries, enriched people’s life and created a new chapter for the development of Asian civilizations.
Asian people have long been expecting security and prosperity since ancient times, while security plays a fundamental role in prosperity.
During the fifth CICA Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled Working Together for New Progress of Security and Development in Asia, in which he reiterated the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.All Asian countries should respect and trust each other, co-exist in harmony, expand cross-border, cross-time-and-space as well as cross-civilization exchanges. By doing so, the Asian civilizations will grow from strength to strength.
Development holds the master key to solving all problems, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) provides new opportunities to Asian countries.
Remarkable progress has been made in promoting policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds in the past six years thanks to the joint efforts made by China and other countries along the route. A large number of BRI projects have been implemented, greatly improving the welfare and livelihood of the people.
During the summit, state leaders expressed their gratitude to China for its important contributions to the CICA mechanism, and commended China’s key role as the CICA rotating presidency.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon thanked China for successfully holding the CICA presidency, saying that China has ushered CICA into a new phase and expressed the shared aspiration of all participants.
