Seminar explores shared development between China and South Asia

A seminar on shared development and knowledge exchange between China and South Asia was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Wednesday. 

A seminar on shared development and knowledge exchange between China and South Asia is held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Xie Gang (R), general manager of China International Book Trading Corporation, presents the "Keywords to Understand China" book series to Jhala Nath Khanal (L), former prime minister of Nepal, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Jointly hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under China International Communications Group (CICG), India China Economic and Cultural Council (ICEC), and the Nepal China Study Center, the seminar was a sideline event under the South Asia International Book Fair 2023 that aims to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, tell the story of shared development between China and South Asia, and promote cultural exchange and mutual learning.

Mohammed Saqib, founder and secretary-general of India China Economic and Cultural Council, speaks at a seminar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Speaking at the roundtable discussion, Mohammed Saqib, founder and secretary-general of India China Economic and Cultural Council, stressed the seminar's significance in deepening cultural exchange. He emphasized the need to protect and rebuild the precious channels of cultural exchange between China and South Asia, especially among the younger generations.

Roshan KC, a media expert on cultural documentary, speaks at a seminar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Roshan KC, a media expert on cultural documentary, noted that there are cultural commonalities between China, India, and Nepal. He called for the protection and inheritance of these cultural similarities and finding more avenues to broaden cultural exchange.

Meena Vaidya Malla, former head of the TV Department at the Central Department of Political Science of Tribhuvan University, speaks at a seminar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Meena Vaidya Malla, former head of the TV Department at the Central Department of Political Science of Tribhuvan University, said that cultural exchange and mutual learning is an important way to find common ground among different nations, and people-to-people interactions are important in cultural activities. Such activities, as part of national public policies, act as a bond that promotes mutual understanding and unity among countries, she said.

Lila Nyaichyai, an assistant professor of library and information science at Tribhuvan University, speaks at a seminar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Lila Nyaichyai, an assistant professor of library and information science at Tribhuvan University, shared her personal journey of discovering China, saying that the magazine People's Pictorial offered her a first glimpse of China's beauty. She said her subsequent studies in China led to a more nuanced understanding of the country and a love for the Chinese language. This event is of great significance to allow more people to see and appreciate Chinese culture, she added.

Nandita Khadgi, a faculty member at Nepal's Mid-Western University, speaks at a seminar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Nandita Khadgi, a faculty member at Nepal's Mid-Western University, spoke about the deep historical and cultural ties between China and Nepal, noting that the two countries have been interconnected through trade, cuisine, education, technology, and ideology. This rich history provides a solid foundation for further exchanges and dialogue, she said. 

Yuan Lin, director of the Center for Data Information Studies and the Office of Major Projects at the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, speaks at a seminar in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Nov. 22, 2023. [Photo/Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies]

Yuan Lin, director of the Center for Data Information Studies and the Office of Major Projects at the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, shared insights into the Academy's explorations and practices in cultural exchange and knowledge sharing among civilizations. He also presented the 2023 Annual Report on the Chinese Cultural Symbols International Communication Index at the seminar, offering an in-depth interpretation of various cultural symbols and popular culture IPs.

The South Asia International Book Fair 2023, which is supported by China International Book Trading Corporation under CICG and the Nepal Contemporary Publishing House, is currently being held in Kathmandu from Nov. 21 to 25.