by Zhang Jianhua, Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua

VIENTIANE, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning would be a bridge of friendship and drive human progress, a Lao scholar has said.

"The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations is significant because there are many different civilizations in the world. Particularly in Asia, civilizations are diversified and ancient, and even there are some forgotten Asian civilizations... There are many topics for discussion, exchanges and mutual learning," Sithixay Xayavong, director of the China Studies Center of the National University of Laos, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"This conference is a chance to produce understanding and it is another way to promote the culture, since it leads to people-to-people exchanges, international trade, tourism, etc," said Sithixay.

"In the past, people knew only their own side, and each country didn't understand the whole picture, and it caused misunderstanding, since there hadn't the way for spreading civilization," the Lao scholar said.

"This conference will help each nation to preserve and develop its native culture and promote exchanges between different civilizations, especially in Asia... It will also help strengthen ties across Asia and socio-economic development."

Sithixay said the Lao leaders attached great attention to this conference, and have organized a research into Asian civilizations, as well as ways to promote the Lao civilization to the world.

"Laos has been conserving its environment, culture, history and habits. This conference can be a chance to promote them... Laos can also learn from others," he said.

The conference will kick off on May 15 in Beijing under the theme "exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and a community with a shared future."

More than 2,000 government officials and representatives of various circles from 47 Asian countries and other countries outside the region will attend the opening ceremony and forums.