The world is at a crossroads on how civilizations should coexist, secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Zhao Zhimin, said at an international symposium in Beijing on Monday. Hosted by CASS, the symposium "Delusion and Fact: Religious Inclusiveness and Anti-Discrimination from the Perspective of the Global Civilization Initiative" was attended by officials and scholars from China, Egypt, Kazakhstan and other countries.

Citing China's tradition of inclusiveness and religious harmony, Zhao said the country's policies on freedom of belief offer valuable experience for the world. He criticized some countries for politicizing ethnicity, religion and human rights to pressure others, and reaffirmed China's commitment to dialogue, mutual learning and building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Muhammad El-Gendy, secretary-general of the Al-Azhar Islamic Research Academy in Egypt, stressed that civilizations are built on openness and tolerance, not prejudice or discrimination, and called for respect for the rights and uniqueness of every individual. Abbas Shouman, secretary-general of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif's Council of Senior Scholars in Egypt, urged resolving disputes through dialogue, not conflict.

Kairat Batyrbayev, executive director of the Eurasian International Studies Association of Kazakhstan, warned of growing cultural misunderstandings in a fragmented world, saying the forum was timely in fostering exchanges among civilizations.

The experts who spoke at the symposium discussed the transcending of civilizational conflict, mutual learning between Confucianism and Islam, and the contribution of Islamic civilization to world culture.