'Cultural diplomacy' brings China and Italy together on new Silk Road

China pavilion, the second largest foreign pavilion next to Germany's at Expo Milano 2015, opened to the public on May 1st with a duration of six months in Milan. [Photo/Xinhua]

A two-day event on cultural diplomacy and creative industries kicked off here at the Milan world exposition on Wednesday, gathering Chinese and Italian experts to discuss mutual understanding and common growth on a new Silk Road.

China and Italy have already enjoyed profound cultural exchange in history, but potential for further mutual understanding is still huge, said Li Zhaoxing, former Chinese Foreign Minister and president of the China Public Diplomacy Association, a non-profit organization comprising relevant institutions and personalities in the field of public diplomacy.

"Studying the cultures of other countries of the world is fundamental for China's development in peace," Li told Xinhua. He stressed that peace is the precondition for human growth and prosperity.

Without a peaceful and stable international environment, Li went on saying, development is out of the question for any country. Thus it is the fervent aspiration of China that all peoples live and develop in a secure and stable environment.

The China Public Diplomacy Association is dedicated to making the best of people-to-people channels in international exchanges, striving to advance the development of China's public diplomacy and enhance friendship with other countries of the world.

Ambassador of China to Italy Li Ruiyu highlighted the most recent example of fruitful bilateral exchange, the Expo Milano 2015, which since its opening on May 1 has hosted a series of important Chinese events, from the China National Day to the Beijing Week, Shanghai Week and many other activities organized by different regions of China.

More than one million people from all around the world have visited the China Pavilion up to now, adding to the numerous visitors of the two corporate pavilions of China at the Italian world exposition, Li noted.