LANZHOU -- Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng has called for resolving differences and misunderstandings through dialogue and communication to promote harmonious coexistence among diverse civilizations.

Equal exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations provide strong impetus for the progress of human civilization and the peaceful development of the world, Han said on Friday when addressing the opening ceremony of the fourth Dialogue on Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations in Dunhuang, Gansu province.

"We should respect and empower each other, jointly advocate respect for the diversity of world civilizations, and promote the flourishing of all civilizations and harmony in diversity," Han said.

He noted that Chinese modernization, as a new form of human advancement, has learned from other civilizations and contributed unique wisdom to the development of world civilizations.

China will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, uphold multilateralism with other countries, actively implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and promote the in-depth and solid Belt and Road cooperation, Han added.

About 400 people attended the meeting, including political leaders, scholars, and heads of international organizations and non-governmental organizations from multiple countries.

They shared the view that China had provided stability and certainty to the world through its own development. It is believed that China-proposed global initiatives, including the Global Civilization Initiative, will facilitate the mutual understanding and learning among various civilizations, and lay a solid foundation for developing the new-type international order featuring harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation among nations.