An ecology-themed cultural event was held at the foot of the Qinling Mountains in Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Friday, featuring performances by artists from China and Central Asia.
The event was held at the Qinling National Botanical Garden, which is now adorned with picturesque autumn scenery.
As a natural boundary between the country's north and south, the Qinling Mountains are home to a huge variety of plants and rare wildlife such as giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys and crested ibis.
The event featured an outdoor ecological art exhibition, a fashion show, a concert, and collaborative performances by artists from China and the five Central Asian nations.
"The main focus is on expressing respect for life. Centered around the overarching theme of harmony and coexistence among the creatures of the Qinling region, the performance embodies a reverence for biodiversity and a profound appreciation for nature," said Fan Yanyan, a silk designer and a craftmaster of Shaanxi Province.
Through diverse performances, the event also aimed to promote the exchange and mutual learning of civiwhile deepening cultural cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiativelizations along the Silk Road within a contemporary ecological context, .
"It is especially meaningful to hold the event in this natural setting, which is rich in Chinese traditional culture. It promotes international cultural exchanges along the Silk Road and features innovative presentations. I believe this also demonstrates a strong sense of cultural confidence," said Yan Hua, the chief designer of the cultural event.
Cultural event celebrates ecological vibrancy at foot of Qinling Mountains
Cultural event celebrates ecological vibrancy at foot of Qinling Mountains
The Japanese society should do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression and adhere to the pacifist constitution, said Shiradori Hiroshi, a professor of the Hosei University, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo on April 30.
He said the government's recent move to discuss revising the three security documents deserve particular attention as the country's foreign and security policies have already witnessed major changes.
"People outside of the country hold that Japan's post-war image as a 'peace state' is now facing a major shift. Against the backdrop of tremendous changes in its foreign and security policies, the revision of the three security documents deserves particular attention. There lacks public debate in terms of the procedure, with policy changes decided unilaterally at Cabinet meetings. It is necessary to fully explain to the public as to whether such a practice is proper," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government held its first expert panel meeting to discuss revisions to the three security documents at the Prime Minister's Office on April 27, local media reported.
Japan's current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, were designed to cover the next 10 years, but the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to move up the timetable to accelerate the revision process.
Increasing defense spending is one of the key topics of the meeting, according to Kyodo News.
Hiroshi said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials, and the Japanese society must do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression in WWII, when it brought enormous catastrophes on Asian countries.
"Eighty years have passed since the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Japan inflicted enormous suffering on Asian countries during WWII, which should serve as an opportunity for the soul-searching. It is exact on the basis of countless sacrifices that Japan's post-war pacifism and its identity as a 'peace state' took shape. On this 80th anniversary, it is necessary for Japan to re-examine and do soul-searching regarding its history," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government's effort to revise the pacifist constitution is widely opposed by the public.
On Sunday, around 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, chanting slogans and holding banners against the government's push for constitutional revision and military expansion, the largest turnout of its kind in recent years.
Japan should adhere to pacifist constitution: scholar
