Over 1,200 delegates from 97 countries and regions, alongside eight international organizations, converged in Dunhuang, northwest China, for the 8th Silk Road International Cultural Expo. The event, running through Monday, highlights cross-cultural collaboration through dialogues, art exhibitions, and performances at this historic Silk Road hub.
Thailand, this year's guest of honor, showcased its cultural heritage, drawing parallels between its temple murals and Dunhuang's Mogao Caves. 'The similarities between our art reveal centuries of shared history,' said Prasop Riangngoen, Thailand's Ministry of Culture Permanent Secretary.
UNESCO Deputy Director-General Qu Xing emphasized Dunhuang's role as a 'living museum' of Silk Road exchanges, noting the Mogao Caves' 1987 World Heritage status. The caves' murals, spanning 1,000 years of Buddhist art, reflect the fusion of Chinese, Indian, and Central Asian influences.
Once a gateway for silk and spices, Dunhuang now serves as a cultural bridge for China's Belt and Road Initiative. The 2025 expo will feature a 24,000-square-meter exhibition space, spotlighting advancements in Dunhuang studies and intangible heritage preservation.
Participants from Belt and Road countries are displaying tourism assets and heritage protection achievements, reinforcing the event's mission to foster mutual learning through cultural diplomacy.
