China-India

Experts from both India and China discussed in-depth exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations at the China-India Dialogue on Civilizations on Wednesday in Beijing.

During round-table discussions analyzing the tradition and modernity of the civilizations of India and China, they explored Asian civilization and a community with a shared future for mankind. 

Professor Yu Longyu told the Global Times that there are five major reasons to propose the concept of harmonious coexistence between China and India, or CHINDIA.

Yu said China and India's choice of peaceful development is fundamentally in line with philosophy. Their friendly exchanges have proven the feasibility of the concept of CHINDIA. 

In modern times, the sages and philosophers of China and India warned us that China and India must seek coexistence, Yu pointed out. 

Tagore scholar and Chinese professor Dong Youchen, who is also former deputy director-general of the Department of Culture and History of the National Academy of Governance, echoed Yu's point of view. "It was India that had to provide Britain with a lot of wealth for more than 100 years. When I look back intently on the achievements of the civilized world, I cannot comprehend how the ideals of humanity could have been so tragically perverted in the name of civilization. Finally, I perceive that this perversion exposes the infinite indifference and contempt of some countries for the hundreds of millions of people in other countries."

"With the rock of British civilization on its chest, India has fallen into the predicament of stagnation. To make huge profits, Britain used opium to poison an ancient civilization as vast as China and seize part of China's land," Dong added, quoting Tagore's words. 

The development trend of the times requires China and India to unite and take on the heavy responsibility of turning the world around, said Yu. 

During a group discussion, Sabaree Mitra, professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, told the Global Times that China and India need to develop new platforms to build an Asian civilization based on inclusiveness.

"China's cultural self-confidence shows that the country values traditional culture, rather than challenging other's cultures," she noted. 

Li Li, vice dean and senior research fellow of the Institute of International Relations in Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that the significance of the cultural exchanges between China and India include improving mutual understanding and trust and fostering the development of human civilization. Meanwhile, cultural exchanges could be a starting point for both countries to solve common problems such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation and job creation.

Talking about how to enhance cultural exchanges, Li pointed out that it is necessary that both sides focus on communication between youth. 

"The decision makers need to abandon geopolitics, provide more channels, and create more favorable conditions for cultural exchanges through means such as visa issuance and transportation," Li noted.

During the group discussion, an expert pointed out there are currently no direct flights between the two countries. 

Qiu Yonghui, deputy director, chief expert and a professor of the China Center for South Asian Studies of Sichuan University, told the Global Times that both countries need to seek common ground while respecting differences through people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. 

"As two ancient civilizations, people-to-people exchanges between China and India have played a vital role in spreading civilization and culture," she said. 

"When we are in a difficult situation, the exchanges between our peoples should not be interrupted, rather, they need to be enhanced in all aspects such as culture, sports, academic research and think tanks," Qiu suggested. 

While analyzing the similarity between the civilizations of China and India, Sun Jing, a research fellow at the Research Office of Oriental Philosophy under the Institute of Philosophy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times, "There are great similarities between Chinese civilization and Indian civilization, and the similarities in thinking make the two countries very similar in how they deal with various issues, which makes it convenient for us to build a community with a shared future for mankind."

With scholars reaching a consensus during the one-day dialogue, experts are confident in stepping up efforts in building a new global civilization.

"Chinese and Indian people should jointly construct a new global civilization and make their own unique contributions, in which there will inevitably be an important position for Chinese culture and Indian culture," Qiu stressed.