Arts and Culture
Since Zhang Qian’s exploration in Central Asia in Western Han dynasty, the ‘Silk Road Spirit’, which entails ‘peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit’1, has been passed from generation to generation. 'A comprehensive understanding of different cultures', as President Xi suggested, ‘is the foundation of countries’ alliances.'2 Cultural exchanges and connecting people are therefore integral to the Belt and Road Initiative.
The ‘Silk Road Spirit’, which entails ‘peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit’, has been passed from generation to generation.
Collaborations
Mutual understanding can contribute to social solidarity and underpin the Belt and Road Initiative. As stated in the Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, there are seven core areas in the Belt and Road Initiative to forge social solidarity and promote exchange and bi-lateral cooperations in academic, cultural, scientific and technological fields3:
- Strengthening ties in student exchanges
- Promoting cultural exchanges
- Improving social services in member states
- Providing medical aid and enhancing R&D cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine
- Enhancing sharing and exchanges of in technical knowledge and skills
- Facilitating cooperation in tourism and hospitality
- Encouraging technological cooperation
Talent Exchanges
In order to foster academic exchange, the Chinese government expanded the exchange student network. With the Belt and Road Initiative, there are more choices for students in China to study abroad. There are more than 300,000 Chinese exchange students studying in member states of the Belt and Road Initiative, and more than 200,000 foreign students from member states studying in China. According to the statistics provided by the social research centre under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the number of Chinese students currently studying in Russian high schools is the third highest among foreign students in Russia.4
China has been encouraging Chinese students to learn foreign languages to facilitate multi-cultural exchanges and international communications. Meanwhile, China has opened 134 Confucius Institutes and 130 Confucius Classrooms in primary and secondary schools in 51 countries that participate in the Belt and Road project in an effort to promote Chinese language and Chinese Culture to different parts of the world.5
China has been encouraging Chinese students to learn foreign languages to facilitate multi-cultural exchanges and international communications.
Art Exchanges
Art performances and film co-production promote greater understanding and mutual respect, and are an important part of the Belt and Road Initiatve. The Chinese acrobatic troupe, ‘Embracing China’, has performed acrobatic dramas and Chinese singing in six European countries, including the Czech Republic and Italy6, to support overseas Chinese communities and to promote Chinese culture to the member states.
Chinese film industries have jointly produced films that can highlight cultures of various member states and promote mutual understanding. Examples include the Chinese-Indian film 'Kung Fu Yoga', the Chinese-Czech film 'The Panda and Little Mole', the Afghanistan film 'Parting' and the Indian film 'The Pursuit of the Dream'.
Training for the Youth
Embracing the idea of focusing on talents, China has launched people-oriented youth training programmes in member states to improve employment in the local markets. For instance, the Xiamen University opened its Malaysian school in 2016 to attract students from the ASEAN member states, and plans to grow it into a high education institute in Malaysia.7 China has also signed agreements on mutual recognition of academic qualifications with Malaysia and Thailand.
Local talents can benefit from the opportunities brought about by Chinese enterprises investing and setting up offices in their countries. For example, mobile phone enterprise OPPO has hired local staff in its branches and repair centres in Indonesia,8 and enables the local workforce to gain exposure to new skills and techniques.
Embracing the idea of focusing on talents, China has launched youth training programmes to improve employment in the local markets.
Promoting Chinese Culture through Traditional Chinese Medicine
China has been providing medical services in collaboration with local governments of member states in an effort to improve public hygiene and health. The first medical development project under the Belt and Road Initiative is the establishment of the Chinese-Czech Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre in the Czech Republic, which has provided medical treatment for over 8,000 patients.9
Additionally, the Chinese government has mobilised teams to provide medical services in different countries. From 1996, the Department of Health of Zhejiang Province has sent medical teams into Namibia to provide Chinese medical services and organise health talks and workshops.10 Positive feedback from the local governments and the society not only motivates medical cooperation, but also promotes the concepts and practice of Chinese traditional medicine.
Cultural Exchanges
In order to facilitate multi-cultural exchanges to promote China’s culture, local governments have forged sister city relationships and organised cultural activities with their counterparts from different corners of the world. Shaanxi Province has established sister city relationships with 79 cities in the world. Also, sister cities has launched exchange programmes in arts, culture and technology. For example, the Essex County Council in the UK participated in the Silk Road International Festival organised by Shaanxi provincial government.11
State authorities are also encouraged to create a platform to support relationships between states and facilitate cultural exchanges. The first China Arts Festival in the EU, which was held in Brussels for the first time in 2015, has become a permanent communication platform for cultural exchange between China and Europe.12 Also, the 16+1 Think Tank Network has been established by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries to promote cultural exchanges.
Tourism and Hospitality
More than 20 Belt and Road member states have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to Chinese passport holders
The Chinese government forges collaborations with local and state authorities of member states on tourism so that travellers can experience the exotic cultures along the Silk Road more conveniently. More than 20 Belt and Road member states have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to Chinese passport holders; these member states include the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Egypt, Russia and Israel.13 Since both the Chinese and Russian governments made an agreement that allows Chinese visitors traveling on a guided tour visa-free access for no more than 15-day stay, the number of Chinese citizens travelling in Russia has increased significantly. In 2016, more than 760,000 Chinese passport holders have traveled in the Russian Federation.14 Other member states, including Thailand, the Czech Republic and Malaysia, have also welcomed more Chinese tourists.
Science and Technology Exchanges
China has long been promoting science and technology exchanges and R&D co-operations for innovation and technological development. To nurture the next generation of international scientific talents, the Talented Young Scientist Programme, launched by Ministry of Science and Technology in 2013, has sponsored scientists and researchers from member states to participate in scientific exchange programmes held in China, such as researches on pollution control and the environment.15 To strengthen science cooperation with other countries, the Chinese government are also planning to build joint laboratories and science parks.
Hong Kong Cultural Exchange Programmes
The Belt and Road Initiative aims to promote values of Chinese culture, facilitate multi-cultural collaboration, and foster mutual respect and trust in the international community
Hong Kong is an international metropolitan with exposure to the East and West cultures. The HKSAR government has launched cultural exchange programmes for both local and foreign students to conduct cultural exchanges to deepen mutual understanding. In the Policy Address announced in January 2017, the government proposed to increase the quota for Mainland Exchange Programmes along the ‘Silk Road’ into 5,600 places for Hong Kong students16, and provide opportunities for learning foreign languages. To strengthen academic exchanges and promote Chinese culture, the Hong Kong Scholarship for ‘Belt and Road’ are granted to foreign students from member states to study at Hong Kong universities.
Under the Belt and Road framework, cultural exchanges is as important as economic cooperation. Through different exchange programmes, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to promote values of Chinese culture, facilitate multi-cultural collaboration, and foster mutual respect and trust in the international community.
[1]TSE, Edward. “Can China’s grand plan to revive the ‘Silk Road spirit’ succeed?” South China Morning Post.
[2] “習近平在「一帶一路」高峰論壇發表主旨演講” Phoenix New Media Limited
[3]HKSAR Government. “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” The State Information Center of China. HKSAR Government.
[4]Belt and Road Portal. “中俄人文交流躍上新台階在俄留學生人數中國排第三” The State Information Center.
[5]Belt and Road Portal. “海外孔子學院已達511所現有注冊學員210萬人》” The State Information Center.
[6]Xinhuanet. “中國僑聯「親情中華 築夢絲路」藝術團中巡演” The State Council Information Office.
[7]Belt and Road Portal. “中國－東盟人才培養合作實現跨越式發展 教育成一大亮點” The State Information Center.
[8]Belt and Road Portal. “中國－東盟人才培養合作實現跨越式發展 教育成一大亮點” The State Information Center. 。
[9]Guang Ming Daily. “民心相通健康使者” News.China.com.cn.
[10]Belt and Road Portal. “納米比亞中醫粉絲隊伍迅速擴大 紅泥人跋山涉水” The State Information Center.
[11]Xinhua Daily. “在服務「一帶一路」中展示江蘇文化作為” Xinhua Daily.
[12]People.cn. “第三屆中國－歐盟文化藝術節啟幕” People.cn.
[13]HuayuWorld.org. “「一帶一路」出境旅遊熱 超20個國家對中國實現免簽和落地簽” HuayuWorld.org.
[14]Belt and Road Portal. “2016年赴俄中國遊客數目猛增 旅遊交往促進中俄民心相通” The State Information Center.
[15]Belt and Road Portal. “「一帶一路」上的亞洲青年教師與科學家：享受在中國的時光” The State Information Center.
[16]HKSAR Government. "2017 Policy Address: People-to-people Bonds" HKSAR Government.
