What they say

Soft power is a growing focus in contemporary international relations, especially given the mass communications revolution that has produced two major inventions: the internet and global news networks. Basically, the soft power approach emphasizes the importance of dialogue as a critical element of proper diplomacy. I believe an important element of soft power is culture, which has always been a fundamental source for mutual understanding in diplomacy, to achieve peace and peaceful living in a harmonious world.

Alireza Khoshrou, China and cultural expert at Islamic Cultural Relations Organization in Iran

Confucianism is considered as a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition and a way of life. Sometimes viewed as a philosophy and sometimes as a religion, Confucianism may be understood as an all-encompassing way of thinking and living that entails ancestor reverence and profound human-centered religiousness.

Oswald Ndoleriire, professor at Makerere University in Uganda

We are passing through a critical phase of time where there are conflicts, crises and destruction in almost every field. One of the major causes has been the human lust and desire for material wealth, power and pleasure. It is only logical to try to strike a balance between material development and the development of spiritual human values, following the "middle path". The solution for world peace and harmony will be when all the humanitarians, who have similar ideas of loving-kindness, compassion, truthfulness, honesty, mutual-respect and open minds, join together.

Ravindra Panth, professor at Gautam Budda University in India

(China Daily 09/25/2017 page12)