The 7th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo transformed the Gobi Desert into a global melting pot this week, with experts from South Asia, Central Asia, and beyond gathering to unlock the future of cross-cultural collaboration. 🏜️✨ Under the theme “Implementing the Global Civilization Initiative and Deepening Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations,” the three-day event blended ancient history with modern diplomacy—and TikTok-worthy travel vibes. 🎤🌐
Where Silk Road Stories Meet Modern Ambitions
Dunhuang—once a bustling oasis for camel caravans—hosted panels dissecting China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its role in shaping regional development. Experts swapped strategies on boosting ‘strategic mutual trust’ and reviving Silk Road trade routes for the digital age. 💡📈
Language, Literature & Pop Diplomacy
Uzbek scholar Lola Sultanova made waves by championing Chinese language education as a “bridge for BRI projects,” while Bangladesh’s Mushtak Galib called for more student exchanges and K-drama-style cultural bonds. 📚🤝 “People-to-people ties are the secret sauce for high-quality growth,” he argued, nodding to China’s modernization blueprint.
Why Dunhuang?
The city’s millennia-old cave art and desert vistas aren’t just Insta gold—they’re proof that cultural exchange can outlast empires. 🎨🌍 As one attendee joked: “If the Silk Road had TikTok, Dunhuang would’ve gone viral 2,000 years ago.” 📲
