An International Symposium on “Scientific and Cultural Exchanges along the Silk Roads” was held on November 18 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and online. Weng Tiehui, Chinese Vice Minister of Education, and Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General of the UNESCO Social and Human Sciences Sector, opened the symposium and delivered speeches.

Weng Tiehui stated that promoting scientific and cultural exchanges along the Silk Roads constitutes an essential part of the efforts to implement the Belt and Road Initiative, with far-reaching implications for global peace and sustainable development. The Ministry of Education of China has given high priority and great support to related Silk Road studies, leading to significant research outcomes.

Weng called on scholars and experts to focus on and further explore key research areas such as the shared heritage of the Silk Roads, the Silk Road spirit and the diversity of cultures. She also encouraged them to increase academic exchange, work together on multidisciplinary breakthrough projects, share their research findings and cooperate in scientific research. More efforts are needed to cultivate young talent and promote dialogue between young scholars around the world by building more international platforms for academic exchange.

Weng said China would continue to support funding programs for young researchers of the Silk Roads in order to contribute to producing more influential research results and facilitate cultural and academic exchanges for a brighter future.

This event was part of “Philosophy Along the Silk Roads–World Philosophy Day Parallel Sessions,” which marked World Philosophy Day 2022. The event gathered recipients of the first edition of the Silk Roads Youth Research Grant and renowned international academics who participated in the implementation of this initiative first launched by UNESCO in 2020 in partnership with the Chinese government. Representatives from some higher education institutions, permanent delegations to UNESCO, and the National Commissions for UNESCO of various countries attended the symposium.