Bangladesh-China call for stronger civilisational dialogue and cultural cooperation
Scholars, policymakers, diplomats and cultural figures from Bangladesh and China on Wednesday underscored the importance of intercultural dialogue, mutual learning and people-to-people exchanges as they gathered in Dhaka to celebrate the inaugural United Nations International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.
The event, titled “Dialogue Between Kindred Spirits”, was jointly organised by the Embassy of China in Bangladesh and the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA) at the National Library in the capital. The event highlighted the shift towards a more “people-centred” partnership, moving beyond traditional infrastructure cooperation to a deeper spiritual and intellectual integration,.
Minister of Cultural Affairs, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, attending as the Chief Guest, opened the proceedings by framing the dialogue within the context of a “critical juncture in human history”.
He noted that the world currently faces deep fractures caused by misunderstanding and the “dangerous rhetoric of cultural superiority”.
Minister Chowdhury praised the establishment of the UN International Day, stating it sends a definitive message: “No civilisation is superior or inferior to another. Diversity is not a threat; it is humanity’s greatest strength”.
He further expressed Bangladesh’s high appreciation for the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that its focus on common human values and people-to-people exchange aligns perfectly with Bangladesh’s commitment to inclusive development.
“Civilisations do not clash when they meet; they thrive through exchange and forge ahead through mutual learning,” the minister added.
Highlighting the significance of Bangladesh-China relations, Chowdhury said the two nations were linked by centuries of historical, cultural and intellectual exchanges.
“China and Bangladesh are not recent acquaintances; we are ancient friends linked by rivers, mountains and millennia of shared history,” he said, referring to the legacy of Atish Dipankar as a symbol of the long-standing connection between the two peoples.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen echoed these sentiments, highlighting that civilizational diversity is the most important quality of the world.
He noted that China, with its 10,000-year history of culture, has always adhered to the concept of “harmony without seeking uniformity”.
Ambassador Yao emphasised that the Global Civilization Initiative provides a roadmap for “cultural exchanges to transcend entrenchment” and for “coexistence to transcend feelings of superiority”.
He paid tribute to the cultural giants of both nations, mentioning the literary legacy of Bangladesh’s national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, alongside the wisdom of Atish Dipankar.
Looking forward, the Ambassador reaffirmed China’s readiness to strengthen mechanisms for academic, youth, and media dialogues, contributing “China-Bangladesh strength” to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.
General Secretary of ABCA Prof. Dr. Md. Shahabul Haque described the association as a platform for Bangladeshi graduates from Chinese universities to extend people-to-people relationships.
Since its inception in 2020, ABCA has been instrumental in deepening ties through seminars and social welfare activities.
Dr. Haque noted that the day’s programme also featured an art exhibition in the library’s corridor, showcasing works by renowned Bangladeshi artists who recently visited China, further illustrating the visual dialogue between the two cultures.
Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Dhaka Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mainul Islam provided a personal perspective as an envoy of cultural exchange.
Having earned his PhD from Peking University, Dr. Islam argued that for long-term cooperation to succeed, it must be built on a “strong civilisation foundation”.
He advocated for a shift from “infrastructure to people-centered cooperation,” highlighting the importance of language.
While Mandarin is widely taught in Bangladesh, Dr. Islam urged for the promotion of the Bangla language in China to create a “bondage for culture”.
He concluded that the greatest potential for the partnership lies in the “mutual recognition of dignity and culture”.
Representing the economic dimension of the relationship, President of the Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB) Han Kun offered a poignant metaphor for the bilateral tie.
While his association oversees “bridges of steel and concrete,” he stressed that the most important bridges are those of “understanding, empathy, and shared dreams”.
Kun remarked that trust is not measured in megawatts or kilometres of roads, but in the moments when a Chinese engineer recites Tagore or a Bangladeshi colleague shares tea during the Spring Festival.
He committed the CEAB to “cultural reciprocity,” promising that every road built by Chinese enterprises should also lead to a deeper human connection.
Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Education Dr. Sardar Md. Keramat Ali described China as one of Bangladesh’s “most important and trusted development partners”.
He noted that while the two cultures are distinct, they share core values regarding harmony, family, and social progress.
Dr. Ali argued that by learning from one another, both nations can preserve their unique cultural heritage while simultaneously embracing modernisation and sustainable development.
He expressed hope that future academic collaborations would explore new areas of cooperation that would be “immensely beneficial to both countries as a whole”.
The “Dialogue Between Kindred Spirits” concluded with a consensus that dialogue is the “bridge that connects souls”.
The event concluded with a call for deeper friendship, greater cultural cooperation and expanded people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and China, with participants expressing hope that such exchanges would contribute to a more peaceful, harmonious and prosperous world.
