Dialogue to bring civilizations closer

Azerbaijan contributes to dialogue of civilizations

Asia is home to some of the largest economies in the world, from China, Japan and India to the Republic of Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. But thanks to its new model of socio-economic development, the Chinese economy has its own salient features. These features have allowed China to rebuild a number of traditional structures to achieve unprecedented socio-economic results, which in turn have helped it to withstand external pressure and preserve its distinctive culture. Still, China's economic development model is evolutionary, as it has helped modernize all social structures while preserving the Chinese civilization's core elements.

In this regard, the experiences of Azerbaijan also deserve attention. True, Azerbaijan is a small country and has limited human resources potential. But, being located at the crossroad of Europe and Asia, it occupies a very important geographical position. Azerbaijan is located in the east of the Caucasus, and shares land borders with Russia in the north, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia in the west, and Iran in the south. It is also one of the five Caspian states and shares sea borders with Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran.

Moreover, Azerbaijan espouses that economic interaction and cooperation can be effective only when supported by active dialogue in the scientific, humanitarian and political spheres. As such, it is contributing to the establishment and development of humanitarian cooperation between countries and continents.

Azerbaijan also remains committed to enhancing international cooperation and understanding between countries and peoples, and contributes to the dialogue of cultures and civilizations.

Akif Alizadeh, president of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences

Let's make 'Belt of Peace' and 'Road to Prosperity' a reality

It is quite clear to all that the 21st century is indeed the "Asia century". We Asians have shown to the world that we can live together peacefully and work for the well-being of all.

China's fast-paced economic development over the past four decades raised the growth rate of Asia to a level never been seen before. During my first visit to Beijing in 1975, I remember standing in front of Beijing Hotel and surveying the four directions. On Tuesday morning, 44 years later, I stood at the very same spot — and saw for myself what reform and opening-up had done to Beijing and China.

As a former minister of tourism of Thailand, I have also seen the ever-increasing number of Chinese tourists to Thailand, which indicates the living standards of the average Chinese has greatly increased.

All of us who have gathered here from different countries can learn from China. In spite of our differences in culture and language, I believe we can live together and prosper together.

All we have to do is to communicate with each other and agree on how best to exchange our resources, both natural and human. Let us establish a network of friendship and make use of that network to build a wider society of harmonious diversity. And let us all make joint efforts to make the "Belt of Peace" and the "Road to Prosperity" a reality.

Korn Dabbarans, head of Thai-Chinese Development Cooperation Association and former vice-premier of Thailand