The Sixth Silk Road (Dunhuang) Cultural Expo has officially kicked off in the city of Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province. CGTN reporter Rachel Weiss visits Dunhuang's iconic Mogao Grottoes and gives an overview of the event.

Since its inception in 2016, the expo has aimed to foster cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and countries along the Silk Road. The year 2023 is particularly significant as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

More than 1,200 domestic and international guests attended the opening ceremony, and Turkmenistan has been designated as the guest of honor for this year's expo. This year's event will feature a series of activities, including seminars, exhibitions and cultural performances.

Dunhuang holds immense cultural and historical importance as a major stop along China's ancient Silk Road. This city served as a vital crossroads for trade and cultural exchanges between China, central Asia and the West.

Moreover, Dunhuang is renowned for its remarkable Mogao Caves, which house one of the world's most extensive collections of art spanning more than a thousand years. The artwork found in the Mogao Caves showcases the fusion of different artistic styles and influences from various regions, making it a significant cultural crossroads.

To tie into the idea of Dunhuangas a cultural crossroads, the theme of this year's Dunhuang Expo is "Connecting with the World: Cultural Exchanges and Mutual Learning." It focuses on facilitating cooperation under the BRI, carrying forward Dunhuang culture, and fueling economic and social development.

All these efforts are aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and cooperation among countries along the ancient Silk Road and fostering closer people-to-people ties.