BEIJING, July 21 -- IN a time when global communities are increasingly exposed to one another yet frequently divided by suspicion and misunderstanding, the value of cultural tolerance has never been more pressing.

Respecting the customs, beliefs and identities of others is not merely a gesture of goodwill; it is a prerequisite for peaceful coexistence in an interdependent world.

The encouragement of cultural dialogue between societies grounded in mutual respect and equality is a moral and strategic necessity.

Against this backdrop, the recent Global Civilisations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting held in Beijing offered a meaningful platform to reframe international engagement not through competition or hierarchy, but through shared human v...