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A Chinese saying goes, Stones from other his may serie
polish jade." Throughout the millennia, China has been enriched
thanks to its willingness to learn from other civilizations and absorb
their strengths.
Chinese silk and Persian craftsmanship came together to make
beautiful silk rugs, while the Persian blue pigment and Chinese clay
were used to create classic pottery styles.
The Chinese ceramics found in an ancient shipwreck reflect classic
Western and Central Asian influences in their styles. The Chinese,
when they first saw a giraffe from South Asia, thought it was a "Qilin."
Later depictions of the mythical beast would resemble a giraffe.
All of this became possible thanks to cultural exchange.
Through continuous exchanges, papermaking, the compass,
gunpowder, printing, and silkworm breeding from China changed
the world
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Meanwhile, the Chinese Imperial examination system was adopted
by several East Asian countries and even influenced countries as
far away as England and France.
Chinese and Japanese historians have produced numerous
descriptions of Chang'an's West Market. This painting shows Sogdian,
Persian, and Arab traders in the streets of the Tang capital.
Chang'an is remembered today as a powerful symbol of cultural
exchange. At its height in the Tang dynasty, some 30,000 foreign
businessmen, diplomats, and students lived in the city. It's said that
more than 70 countries and regions sent merchants to conduct
business in Chang'an, and that the Arab Caliphate alone dispatched
some 40 diplomatic missions there.
Today, the city is called Xian. In a park in the southeast of the
city, Japanese tourists flocked to a monument commemorating a
Tang-era scholar, Abe no Nakamaro. Originally from Japan, he passed
the Imperial examination and took up a position as a Tang government
official. He counted among his acquaintances the famous Chinese
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poets Li Bai and Wang Wei. Upon his friend's departure from China
Wang Wei lamented, "In all the world, what place is so far, ten thousan
miles like riding the void? " Withi
a decade of Abe no Nakamaro's death around 770 AD, th
Japanese capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto. Both cities, i
their layout, mimicked Chang'an, and both would go on to becom
major centers of Japanese culture.
Civilizations are like water, silently nurturing everything the
touch. Looking back on history, we realize that no civilization is perfec
and no civilization has all the answers, but each one is unique, an
its achievements are deserving our respect and appreciation.
History is our inspiration for our actions today. Only through
exchange and mutual learning can we create an inclusive, vibran
society in which everyone can flourish. The light of thought transcend:
time; the seed of hope gives life to all things. Asia is opening up a
new era of sharing and mutual learning for the good of the world
and the future.
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Civilizations, like the colors of sunlight, illuminate the world with their diverse shades, driving human progress, peace, and development. Throughout history, different civilizations have enriched each other, forming close bonds. China’s civilization, in particular, has evolved through continuous exchanges and learning from others. This mutual learning fosters understanding between cultures, blending old traditions with new ideas, and opening up greater alternatives for the future. Individuals bridging cultural gaps play a vital role, spreading China’s story globally and introducing foreign wisdom. Among those bridge builders stands Michael Wood, representing the many who promote cultural connectivity between the East and the West.
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