The 8th annual conference of the Taihu World Cultural Forum opened in Shanghai on Nov 18.

Jiang Xinzhi, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Jiang highlighted modernization as a historic trend of global development and the common aspiration of people around the world. The successful practices in China's modernization drive provide models for developing countries striving for their own modernization, he said.

Jiang stressed the importance of implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, adhering to equity and respect, and protecting civilization diversity.

He called for enhancing dialogues and communication to enhance understanding and mutual recognition.

Jiang also emphasized inheriting traditional wisdom to respond to questions in the new era, and promoting innovation to strengthen the vitality of civilizations.

The conference, with the theme of "Mutual Learning among Civilizations and Chinese Modernization", attracted nearly 1,000 participants from home and abroad.