Diplomatic Desk:
“No civilization is superior or inferior to another; rather, cultural diversity is humanity’s greatest strength,” stated Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, while addressing as the Chief Guest on Wednesday (10 June, 2026) at the National Library of Bangladesh in Agargaon, Dhaka.
To mark the inaugural United Nations International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Association of Bangladesh-China Alumni (ABCA), hosted a distinguished seminar and exhibition titled “Dialogue of Kindred Spirits: China-Bangladesh Thought Exchange Event.” Yao Wen, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Bangladesh, graced the occasion as the Special Guest.
In his address, the Cultural Affairs Minister remarked that the world today faces deep fractures driven by misunderstanding and dangerous rhetoric of cultural superiority. The establishment of this UN International Day sends a definitive message: civilizations do not clash when they meet; they thrive through exchange and move forward through mutual learning.
The Minister highly appreciated the ‘Global Civilization Initiative’ (GCI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said the initiative, by advocating for the diversity of civilizations and prioritizing people-to-people exchanges, aligns seamlessly with Bangladesh’s commitment to sovereign, inclusive, and pluralistic development. Guided by these principles of cooperation, he added, “we choose collaboration over conflict.”
Highlighting deep-rooted historical ties, the Minister emphasized that China and Bangladesh are ancient friends linked by rivers, mountains, and millennia of shared history. The legendary legacy of the great Buddhist monk Atish Dipankar stands as an eternal testament to the intellectual integration of the two peoples. Today, that ancient bond has evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
Following the seminar, the Minister, alongside Ambassador Yao Wen and other dignitaries, toured a special exhibition showcasing the heritage, archaeology, and historical ties between the two nations. During the walkthrough, they appreciated traditional Chinese calligraphy and historical book displays. Addressing eminent scholars and academics present, the Minister urged them to leverage this platform to further deepen bilateral cultural cooperation.
The event was widely attended by senior officials from the Chinese Embassy, eminent Bangladeshi scholars, researchers, and senior officials from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
