Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu province. [Photo/WeChat account: srdice]

The ninth Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo will be held in Dunhuang from Nov 2 to 4. Since its launch in 2016, the event has been successfully held eight times.

As China's only national-level international cultural event themed on Belt and Road cultural exchange, it has become an important platform for implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, deepening people-to-people cooperation along the Silk Road, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations.

Dunhuang is a key hub of the ancient Silk Road and a meeting place of Eastern and Western civilizations. Over the past eight editions, nearly 100 countries and international organizations and thousands of Chinese and foreign guests have gathered there.

Through forums, exhibitions, performances, academic seminars, and intangible cultural heritage exchanges, the event has advanced the research, protection and innovation of Dunhuang culture and helped expand cooperation in the cultural, tourism and creative industries.

The expo has also boosted Dunhuang's cultural tourism and urban development, strengthened public services and raised the city's capacity to host international events.

The upcoming ninth edition will build on past experiences, further promote cultural exchanges and contribute to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and dialogue among world civilizations.