XI'AN, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Kazakhstani writers said they need more literary exchanges between the two countries.
Askar Alibek, a renowned writer from Kazakhstan, said authors from both countries need more cooperation so that the peoples can understand each other better.
Alibek was present at a Belt and Road seminar held in Xi'an, capital of northwest province of Shaanxi, which drew nine authors from Kazakhstan and 15 from China. The forum started Thursday.
Meiram Bektimbayev, an official from the Kazakhstan national technology development bureau, cited the importance of seeking synergy between Kazakhstan's economic policy Nurly Zhol (Bright Path) and the Belt and Road Initiative.
"The people need to overcome fear, anxiety and prejudice so that certain large-scale infrastructure projects can be carried out, and it is an area where literary writers from both countries can contribute their wisdom and influence public opinion," Bektimbayev said.
Xi'an has occupied a special position in China's exchange with Kazakhstan, said Gao Jianqun, vice chairman of Shaanxi writers' association.
"Two thousand years ago, a famous Chinese diplomat of the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 25 A.D.) Zhang Qian departed from Xi'an on his tour to the west. From then on, connection among previously isolated civilizations were strengthened," Gao said.
Northwest University, based in Xi'an, has established a center for Kazakhstan studies.
In 2015, Xi'an Jiaotong University set up a university union for the Silk Road. More than 124 universities in 30 countries and regions have joined.
Since 2014, copyright trade volume between China and Belt and Road countries increased 20 percent per year, according to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Film and Television.
