The conflicts brought by diversified cultures should be solved through dialogues, and four major principles should be followed, noted Chinese philosopher Ru Xin said in Beijing Wednesday.

Ru, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), made the remarks at the Conference on Cultures and Civilizations of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

He said the first principle is that all countries should have the awareness of globalization. When facing global issues, all parties should consider the interests of the whole world prior to their own.

The second principle is to be aware of the diversity of culture. Ru said all civilizations and cultures made same contribution to the world civilization and culture, and each nation and country has the right to preserve and develop its own civilization and culture.

Ru said the third principle is that mutual understanding and respect are needed in dialogues between different civilizations and cultural communications.

Ru said if the both sides treat each other as rivals and potential enemies rather then equal partners and friends, the dialogue and communication will hardly succeed.

All parties should, on the one hand, be proud of their cultures, but on the other hand be clear about their shortcomings, so as to prevent self-worship, said Ru.

The last principle, he said, is to admit and tolerate the gaps between different civilizations and cultures.

Ru said all differences should be solved through dialogues and equal consultation, and if it's hard to reach consensus at present, both sides should wait and keep tolerant so as to prevent an intensified conflict.

Ru said today the whole world is facing a series of problems with resources, environmental protection, anti-terrorism, population, drug smuggling and infectious disease, so therefore cultural dialogue and communication may not only increase mutual understanding, but also help promote international cooperation and world peace.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2003)