A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words --Remarks by H.E. Ambassador Sun Weidong at the Opening Ceremony of "Beautiful China Beautiful India" Online Photo Exhibition
2020-12-08 22:35

(December 8, 2020)

Mr. Du Zhanyuan, President of China International Publishing Group (CIPG),

Mr. Lin Songtian, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries,

Mr. Atul Dalakot, Executive Director for China of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear friends,

 

  It is a great honor to attend the virtual opening ceremony of the "Beautiful India Beautiful China-Dragon and Elephant Dance Together for Win-Win Outcomes" Online Photo Exhibition. This event is one of a series of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and India. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the convening of the event.

  Both China and India have vast lands and diverse landscapes. The Yellow River, the Yangtze River, the Ganges and the Yamuna River run ahead tirelessly. The North China Plain and the Indus-Ganga Plain are both fertile and prolific. Waterfront towns in the south of the Yangtze River of China and the Kerala Backwaters in India attract tourists far beyond with their scenic beauties. The vast and magnificent Taklimakan Desert and the Thar Desert are very impressive sights.

  China and India have a long history with profound civilizations. We have world cultural heritages such as The Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, Taj Mahal, and Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Classic works such as "The Book of Songs", "The Analects of Confucius", "Vedas" and "Bhagavad Gita" are well known worldwide. China's Lantern Festival and Indian Diwali embody people's yearning for light and hope. Both Chinese Qipao and Indian Sari show the beauty of the East. Peking opera and Indian Classical Dance bring people the enjoyment of beauty.

  China and India are culturally close to each other and have a tradition of mutual learning. The spread of Buddhism has promoted exchanges and mutual learning between China and India in the fields of literature, painting, sculpture, and dance. The Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang and the White Horse Temple in Luoyang have witnessed the interaction and integration of the two civilizations. The two countries have also influenced each other in areas such as astronomy, arithmetic, iron smelting, sugar and paper making, and the benefits are still enjoyed by the peoples today.

  My dear Friends,

  Civilizations are colorful because of diversity, enriched by exchanges and making progress through mutual learning. Pictures are the carrier of civilization. A picture is worth a thousand words. The photo exhibition presents us with a beautiful landscape of the splendid symbiosis of the two civilizations. It also allows us to look at China-India relations from a broader historical perspective, and draw inspirations from it.

  First, friendly cooperation is the mainstream. In the history of exchanges lasting more than 2000 years between China and India, friendly cooperation has dominated most of the time. The two leaders reached an important consensus that China and India pose no threat but offer development opportunities to each other. We should grasp the general trend of historical development, fully implement the leaders' consensus and push forward China-India relations in the right direction.

  Second, Cultural and people-to-people exchanges are the foundation. Deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges is an effective way to remove barriers and suspicions, and promote dialogue and understanding. The cultural exchanges between China and India have enhanced mutual understanding between the two peoples and promoted the development and progress of the two countries. We need to inherit and carry forward the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, mutual respect, and equality, promote local exchanges, and foster closer people-to-people ties to strengthen popular support for the long-term development of China-India relations.

  Third, mutual learning is the driving force. President Xi Jinping pointed out that exchanges and mutual learning will sustain the development of civilization. A civilization can flourish only through exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations. We should promote exchanges of civilizations with an inclusive mindset, draw wisdom through mutual learning and seek nourishment through exchanges and integration. Together, we can achieve continuous development and progress of the two civilizations and make the garden of world civilizations more colorful and vibrant.

  Fourth, beautiful ecology is the wealth. Traditional Chinese culture emphasizes the harmony between man and nature, and respects the rules of nature. Indian traditional culture also pursues the harmony between man and nature and regards nature as its mother. Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. We should work together to protect the rich ecological environment. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee which was concluded not long ago proposed that China will advance green development and seek a kind of modernization that promotes harmonious coexistence of man and nature. China and India can strengthen cooperation in climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development. We can play a bigger role in building a peaceful, prosperous, clean and beautiful world.

  My dear friends,

  COVID-19 has made countries and peoples in the world deeply feel that mankind is a community with a shared future. The pandemic cannot change our people's aspiration for a better life, nor can it interrupt the general trend of exchanges and mutual learning between us. As we are faced with difficulties and challenges, we should open our mind to enhance communication , mutual understanding and trust. Today's event is very meaningful and opened up a brand-new mode of communication. It allows the two peoples to better perceive, understand and appreciate each other. I would like to express my gratitude to China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and China Pictorial for their elaborate preparations of the event, and extend my respect to all the friends from China and India present today.

  This year marks the "China-India Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges". We should follow the guidance of the two leaders, redouble our efforts to meet each other halfway, strengthen dialogue and exchanges, and overcome difficulties and challenges, in order to put China-India relations on the track of healthy and stable development.

  Thank you!

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