国内英语资讯:Spotlight: China-Europe forum opens in Athens for better East-West cultural understanding_时事

国内英语资讯:Spotlight: China-Europe forum opens in Athens for better East-West cultural understanding

ATHENS, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- As the China-Europe Civilization Dialogue opened Monday in the Greek capital of Athens, the international community expects that the East and the West can work together even closer to face their common challenges and make the world a better place for all mankind.

The forum, the first of its kind, is titled "China-Europe: Cultural dialogues in Greece," and was hosted at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Held in the cradle of the Western civilization, the event, co-sponsored by the Chinese and Creek culture ministries of Greece, as well as the Chinese embassy in Greece, seeks to lay the foundation for a much broader and deeper cultural understanding between China and Europe.

"Greece and Europe need to learn more about China, and the latter needs to learn more about Greece and Europe," Maria Andreadaki-Vlazaki, secretary general of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports said in his opening speech.

Both the Chinese and Greek side as well as European experts who addressed the event underscored the significance of enhancing cultural ties between the East and the West to help advance collaboration on all other fields.

"I believe this dialogue can help further promote China-EU partnership," Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee said, addressing the event as keynote speaker.

"We need to replace the clash of civilizations with the harmony of civilizations," he said, outlining China's plan, which includes the strengthening of cultural exchanges.