What they say

This year's expo plays a key role in relinking countries along the Silk Road and revitalizing cooperation in such areas as history, culture and business. We are willing to take it as a big diplomatic summit in which China will strengthen friendship with countries around the world.

Onsari Gharti Magar, head of the Nepal Council

Afghanistan is the first to support China's Silk Road Economic Belt strategy proposed by President Xi Jinping. The strategy not only brings economic prosperity and trade for countries along the road, but also deepens social and cultural ties with people around the world.

Hajji Mohammad Mohaqiq, deputy chief executive officer of Afghanistan

The expo is a good start and milestone to build a modern and global Silk Road in the 21st century, which will create a way for establishing an international community for countries across the world. In that community, common values will be recognized and will be the basis for doing all the work.

Andre Azoulay, consultant to the King of Morocco

The event helps countries along the Silk Road to promote cultural bonds and offer a win-win solution for their economic development. It is also a platform for people in different countries and regions to get to know each other and provide cultural support for constructing the Silk Road Economic Belt. In the future, we will be responsible for preserving global cultural diversity and inheriting essential cultures in different countries.

Luo Shugang, China's Minister of Culture

It is meaningful for China to host such an event in Dunhuang, a strategic position along the Silk Road. Now, it is a common goal for nearby countries to rejuvenate the Silk Road from ancient times.

Ali Jannati, Iran's minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Department

We live in a world in which cultural communication plays a vital part in daily communication between people. In the expo, communicating with cultural institutes from different countries will greatly help countries to boost their economic development. Our world needs peace and tranquility and there is still a long way to go for such meaningful activities like the expo to promote peace and mutual understanding.

Pervaiz Rashid, Parkistan's Information Minister

(China Daily 09/30/2016 page24)