Palace Museum a jewel of Chinese civilization: ambassadors on first International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations
(ECNS) -- "This is my first time to visit the Forbidden City. Although I know its location, it's amazing to see how big these places and to see different artworks in the history," said Barrett Salato, Ambassador of Solomon Islands in an interview with China News Network during 2025 Diplomats' Day at the Palace Museum event on the first International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations on Tuesday.
The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Palace Museum. Established on the foundations of the Ming and Qing imperial palaces and their collections, the national museum of China is housed within the Forbidden City. It boasts not only the largest ancient wooden architectural complex in the world but also the most extensive palace complex ever built.
Inside this world-renowned palace, Ambassador Barrett Salato enthusiastically took on the role of a "travel guide": "I think, for the people from my country, when they visit China, this should be one of the places that they should visit. It portrays a lot of Chinese history, and there is a lot to learn."
Georgian Ambassador to China Paata Kalandadze shared his personal connection to the Forbidden City, "My first place after arrival in Beijing was visiting in company with my wife, this beautiful place. I'm a believer that good people to people relations determines the future and success of bilateral official relations. So, this is one of the most important platforms for friendship."
Kalandadze added that the Forbidden City is the jewel of the Chinese civilization. "From the very bottom of my heart, I congratulate all Chinese people in the nation with the 100th anniversary of this wonderful museum," he said.
He also extended a warm invitation to Chinese tourists: "Georgia is also very ancient civilization and definitely has a lot of interesting places. So I advise you, especially after the introduction of the visa free policy, to jump on an airplane and to make a trip to Georgia."
Andrey Tehov, the Bulgarian Ambassador to China, expressed his deep appreciation for Chinese culture, particularly calligraphy and traditional ink painting. A frequent visitor to the Forbidden City, he said he always finds something new each time.
"After your first impressions, which are general, you start finding the details that are exciting, like the semi secret courtyards, the little buildings and those interesting corners."
Croatian Ambassador to China Dario Mihelin shared his thoughts from the perspective of cultural exchange. "The important thing is to know each other's cultures. It's important for Chinese to get to know the European garden culture as well as for Europeans to get to know the meaning of Chinese garden culture. So that's why this exhibition is so interesting," he said.
More than 40 ambassadors and diplomats from over 30 countries — including Croatia, Bahrain, and Samoa — took part in the event, immersing themselves in the richness of traditional Chinese culture and promoting mutual understanding and dialogue among civilizations.