At the Second World Conference of Sinologists in Beijing on Wednesday, former UN Under-Secretary-General Erik Solheim reflected on China's profound impact on world civilization and the critical importance of cultural exchange. He cited the journeys of figures like Marco Polo and Xuanzang to illustrate the enduring depth of Chinese culture as a source of global inspiration. Solheim advocated for modernization that draws from each nation's unique traditions rather than relying solely on Western models and urged for global cooperation in addressing issues like climate change.