The theme of the third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Interfaith
Dialogue speaks volumes for what it stands for: "Deepening
Interfaith Dialogue for Peace, Development and Harmony."
"There is an urgent need to strengthen interfaith dialogue to
boost mutual understanding and promote world harmony in an era of
globalization," Ismail Amat, vice-chairman of the Standing
Committee of the National People's Congress, said at the ASEM
annual dialogue, which opened in Nanjing, capital of East China's
Jiangsu Province yesterday.
China has engaged itself in building a harmonious society in
which religion can play an important role, he said, adding that
harmony is an essence of the Chinese culture nurtured by the 56
ethnic groups and freedom of religious belief is fully safeguarded
for every citizen in the country's law and policies.
Noting that the ASEM Interfaith Dialogue serves as a multiethnic
and multicultural platform, he called for fully tapping its
potential to promote interfaith understanding and cooperation for a
harmonious world of peace and prosperity.
Co-chaired by Cui Tiankai, assistant minister of foreign affairs
of China and Senator Gianni Vernetti, undersecretary of state at
the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two-day dialogue
brought together religious and political leaders, academics and
intellectuals from Asia and Europe to discuss four topics: Dealing
with the interfaith dialogue and globalization, peace, social
cohesion and development, and the promotion of cultural and
educational cooperation.
"Culture and religion must be increasingly involved in fostering
peace," Vernetti said, stressing that as a significant dimension of
Asia-Europe collaboration, interfaith dialogue is very positive for
encouraging social cohesion and overcoming religious
prejudices.
ASEM is an informal process of dialogue and cooperation bringing
together the 27 EU members and the European Commission with 16
Asian countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.
(China Daily June 21, 2007)
