DUNHUANG—an ancient city in the north-western Chinese province of Gansu, the meeting point of at least four distinct civilizations, and a gateway to China.
It is a region distinguished by the singing sands of the Gobi Desert, crescent-shaped oases, and an aura of antiquity and timelessness that radiates a sense of grandeur. It is here that the China Association for International Understanding, in collaboration with several other institutions, organized an international conference titled “4th Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations” on May 29–31, 2025.
Over 400 delegates from around the world were invited to participate in this conference, representing 60 countries across six continents. The participants from diverse backgrounds and professions included former presidents and ministers, current senators, speakers and members of parliament, journalists, renowned figures from literature and the arts, heads of literary and academic institutions, poets, novelists, researchers, and university professors, all representing various regions including the United States, Australia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. As a writer and Chairperson of the Pakistan Academy of letters, it was my privilege to represent Pakistan on this grand forum. Prior to the conference, as a group leader, I was asked by the organizers to participate in an interview with reporters from leading Chinese newspapers and television channels.
The Dunhuang International Hotel served as the seat of the conference and electric vehicles were readily available to transport guests between the different halls. The hotel was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and the windows of the rooms opened up to views of the vast expanse of the Gobi Desert’s soft white singing sand. Behind the hotel, the rippling dunes created a picturesque landscape.
The conference commenced with a grand banquet hosted by the Governor of Gansu Province. An amazing cultural show skilfully blended modern technology with traditional attire. The formal opening ceremony took place the next day, presided over by China’s Vice President, His Excellency Han Zheng. A select group of delegates, including myself, had the privilege of meeting with the Vice President beforehand. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to respecting cultural diversity and collaborating with nations worldwide to promote humanity’s collective well-being. I expressed gratitude for China’s support of Pakistan, which the Vice President acknowledged with a warm smile. The ceremony concluded with a traditional Chinese dance performance.
The conference featured eight parallel sessions, each comprising 10 to 15 speakers, including renowned scholars, poets, and writers from China and abroad. My session, “Equality, Inclusiveness, and Harmonious Coexistence: Multidimensional Narratives of Civilizations from Writers’ Perspective,” brought together an impressive array of speakers, including: Professor and an award-winning poet Christopher Merrill from the University of Iowa, USA; Karen Christensen, CEO of the Berkshire Publishing Group; Melissa Lucashenko, an award-winning fiction writer from Australia; Mahem Uzair, Head of Marketing and Communication , Emirates Literature Foundation; and Ahmed Qarni Mohamed from Egypt, who couldn’t attend but submitted his paper. We were also joined by six esteemed Chinese novelists and critics, many of whom were award-winning authors, who shared their insights and research. The session was moderated by literary critic Zhang Li, Deputy Dean of the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Normal University. The session was organized by the China Writers Association and co-organized by the China National Publications Import and Export Group.
As part of the cultural exchange, the hosts arranged for the participants to visit the historical and cultural sites in Dunhuang. What personally stood out to me were the ancient Buddhist Mogao Caves, where murals and sculptures of Buddhist history, dating back thousands of years, had been fully preserved. The traces of the ancient Silk Road, which had facilitated cultural exchange between China and the world for centuries, reinforced China’s determination to continue collaboration and exchange.
What most participants took away from this academic, cultural, and intellectual exchange was that China is not a new or emerging civilization, but rather one with a unique culture and history that had always been engaging with other civilizations. While China values its traditions, it is also at the forefront of modern technology, using it to reinforce its cultural heritage while forging new paths for the future. Most importantly, China, at the intersection of the ancient and the modern, is ready to play its role in shaping the 21st century. China’s policy is built on cooperation and mutual learning, embracing diversity rather than seeking to impose uniformity.
During my stay at Dunhuang, I was delighted to meet Mr. Shi Kequian, the Vice President of Lanzhou Resources and Environment Vocational and Technical University, who expressed his institution’s eagerness to collaborate with Pakistani universities. I assured him that I would facilitate communication between his university and Pakistani institutions. I am sure that Pakistani students would greatly benefit from exploring the numerous opportunities available in Chinese universities, where mastering the Chinese language would unlock access to top-notch education and generous scholarships. These universities offer a well-rounded education—and their modern infrastructure, cutting-edge laboratories, and innovative facilities make them an attractive option for students seeking higher education abroad. Besides, a strong focus on discipline and character development adds to the impact of the education imparted in these institutions, a successful continuation of Confucian ethics and educational imperatives.
—The author is fiction-writer, poet and critic, currently serving as the Chairperson, Pakistan Academy of Letters, Islamabad.
