The First Silk Road International Cultural Expo, slated to take place on September 20 and 21, is set to produce practical results in four aspects, Lin Duo, Governor of Gansu province, told People’s Daily recently.

Firstly, reaching broad cooperation consensus. The expo will deliberate, adopt and publish a Dunhuang Declaration, which will help spread the Silk Road spirit and strengthen exchanges and cooperation among countries and regions along the ancient trade route.

Secondly, boosting academic research. The main forum, sub-forums, special forums as well as other activities are expected to bring about more research on inter-civilization exchanges, cultural cooperation, cultural industry development and rejuvenation of Dunhuang’s culture.

Thirdly, enriching cultural exchanges. The annual cultural exhibition and art performances during the expo will facilitate people’s understanding of different cultures and deepen cultural exchanges on a larger scale.

Fourthly, accelerating cooperation in multiple fields. A number of cooperation projects covering education, academic research and exchanges of different cities will be signed at the expo.

Gansu is determined to develop the silk road cultural expo into a first-rate international event and a key bond for exchanges between countries and regions along the ancient silk road in three to five years, said Lin.

The selection of Dunhuang as the permanent venue of the expo fully embodies the event’s inclusiveness and diversity as Dunhuang was once a meeting point of the East and West along the ancient Silk Road, said Lin. The 2016 session will be an international, characteristic and professional cultural event, Lin said.

The expo, as an open and inclusive platform for cooperation, will not only inject vigor into Gansu but also generate development opportunities for other domestic provinces along the ancient silk road, the governor pointed out.

A dozen of provinces have been confirmed to send delegations to the event.

The organizing committee has learned extensively from foreign and domestic experiences in planning the major activities including the opening ceremony, the main forum and the art performance.

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