Anecdote from China's major-country diplomacy: Approaching different civilizations

Editor's Note: China is rolling out a major documentary series on its diplomatic principles, practices and achievements over the past five years. The English-language version of the program is now also available on TV and online. To help viewers better understand Chinese diplomacy, Xinhua is releasing a variety of reports that include anecdotes, clips from major speeches, facts and figures.

BEIJING - The following is an anecdote from the documentary series on Chinese President Xi Jinping's foreign visits over the past five years:

Historically, as an important element in the development of transport and commerce, the ancient Silk Road facilitated exchanges between civilizations.

The Chinese province of Shaanxi lay on the ancient Silk Road. In 1987, a discovery there stirred up international sensation. Twenty exquisite pieces of colored glaze were excavated in the underground chamber at Famen Temple.

On March 27, 2014, Xi delivered a speech at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France.

"These East-Roman and Islamic relics were brought into China during the Tang Dynasty. Marvelling at these exotic relics, I thought hard and concluded that in approaching the world's different civilizations, we should not limit ourselves to just admiring the exquisiteness of the objects involved. Rather, we should try to learn about the cultural significance behind them," Xi said.