Vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress Wang Chen meets with former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi on the sidelines of the Taihu World Cultural Forum on Wednesday. （Photo/China Daily）
Nearly 1,000 politicians, entrepreneurs, scholars and cultural notables from about 40 countries and regions have gathered for a forum in Beijing to exchange ideas, strengthen cooperation and deepen understanding among different cultures.
The fifth annual conference of the Taihu World Cultural Forum begins on Thursday with the theme, "Dialogues of Cultures: Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind".
The forum aims to help different cultures learn from each other and build a better world with lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity and an open and inclusive attitude, according to Yan Zhaozhu, chairman of the forum.
"Cooperation is a foundation for such a community," Yan said. "And culture plays a key factor in influencing international communication and diplomacy." The forum is also to eliminate doubt and confusion about China and contribute Chinese wisdom to the construction of the global governance system, he added.
The forum has attracted state leaders, former state leaders and dignitaries. On Wednesday afternoon, Altynai Omurbekova, vice-prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, was received by Wang Chen, vice-chairman of the standing committee of the 13th National People's Congress, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the forum's main venue.
Wang also received former Polish president Bronislaw Komorowski, former Italian prime minister and honorary president of the forum Romano Prodi, and former Egyptian prime minister Essam Sharaf.
