On the evening of October 14, a cultural exchange event titled “Chang’an Night” took place at the Cultural Etiquette Square of the South Gate of Xi’an City Wall. This event was part of the “Belt and Road” International Think Tank Cooperation Forum and the second Silk Road (Xi’an) International Communication Conference.
In his opening speech, Wu Jiang, a member of the Xi’an Municipal Committee and the Minister of Propaganda, highlighted Xi’an’s rich history as a witness to the glorious exchanges and cooperation along the Silk Road over the centuries. He expressed hope that the event would serve as a bridge for cultural exchanges along the Belt and Road initiative, fostering new collaboration and a brighter future.
Chen Gang, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of the Xinhua News Agency’s Shaanxi Branch, remarked, “Tonight’s ‘Chang’an Night’ is not only an artistic showcase that promotes beauty but also a bridge that enhances friendship between cultures. It is a night of joy fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning.”
During the event, guests were treated to a grand Tang Dynasty welcome ceremony, allowing them to immerse themselves in the deep-rooted culture of Xi’an and the excellence of Chinese traditional culture. The evening’s performances included a stunning acrobatic act titled “Ballet on Shoulders,” a duet of the Erhu and violin with “The Butterfly Lovers,” and a fusion of Qin Opera with rock music in “Longing.” These presentations highlighted the forum’s dedication to promoting civilizational exchange and cultural dialogue.
In a sharing session, prominent guests such as former Czech Prime Minister Jiří Paroubek and Zafar, the former policy advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, shared their impressions of their visit to Xi’an.
From October 13 to 15, the “Belt and Road” International Think Tank Cooperation Forum and the second Silk Road (Xi’an) International Communication Conference welcomed over 300 distinguished guests, including former foreign leaders, think tank scholars, heads of overseas media, and other notable figures. The conference focused on the theme of “High-Quality Co-Construction of the ‘Belt and Road’ to Assist Modernization Across Nations,” facilitating in-depth international dialogue and discussions on the promotion of the Belt and Road initiative.
This event is co-sponsored by the Xinhua News Agency, the Communist Party of Shaanxi Province, and the Shaanxi Provincial Government. Beyond the main forum, it also featured the Belt and Road International Think Tank Cooperation Committee’s 2024 Council, a seminar on high-quality co-construction of the Belt and Road, a dialogue on media exchange and cooperation along the Silk Road, as well as cultural exchange activities like “Chang’an Night” and an observational tour of Xi’an.
