No civilization is superior or inferior to another, rather, cultural diversity is humanity's greatest strength, stated the Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury.

He came up with the remarks while addressing an event as the chief guest today at the National Library in gargaon here.

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 Exchage Event". 

Yao Wen, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Bangladesh, graced the occasion as the special guest.

In his address, Cultural Affairs Minister remarked the world today faces deep fractures driven by isunderstanding and the 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 forge ahead through mutual learning.

The Minister highly appreciated the 'Global Civilization Initiative' (GCI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

By advocating for the diversity of civilizations and prioritizing people-to-people exchanges, this initiative aligns seamlessly with Bangladesh's own commitment to sovereign, inclusive, and pluralistic development culture. 

"Guided by these nationalistic and cooperative principles, we choose collaboration over conflict," he added.

Highlighting the deep-rooted historical ties, the minister emphasized, 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 our peoples. 

Today, that ancient spark has successfully 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 the historical book display. 

Addressing the 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 high-ranking officials from the Chinese Embassy, eminent Bangladeshi scholars, researchers, and senior officials from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.