Xiplomacy: A journey of dialogue among civilizations

"I still remember President Xi watching the displayed handicrafts very intently. I could feel his heartfelt desire to understand and respect our culture," Kurbanov said, recalling Xi's visit to the city in 2016. "Ever since that visit, a growing number of Chinese tourists have come to Bukhara."

In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to promote closer understanding and mutual appreciation among different civilizations. It has held cultural and tourism exchange programs, carried out joint archaeological research and promoted translations of classic works with countries including Russia and Egypt.

It has also hosted the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations and the Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations, and proposed the Global Civilization Initiative to contribute Chinese insights to bolster exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

On various international occasions, Xi has elaborated on the principles of harmony in diversity, inclusiveness and mutual learning, stressing that every country has the right to choose a development path suited to its own national conditions and the needs of its people.

"I have often emphasized that China's goal is to be a great learning nation. We must avoid complacency and self-importance. Instead, we must be modest and humble, study hard and keep enhancing our capabilities," Xi said in a speech at the Indian Council of World Affairs in New Delhi, India, in 2014.

"It is such a learning spirit featuring humility and inclusiveness that has enabled the Chinese nation to make continuous progress for thousands of years," he added.