Dialogue of Civilizations -- a special series on CGTN's program 'Dialogue' -- opened in Beijing on Thursday. Participants included ambassadors, state media anchors and experts from India, Greece, China and Egypt. They shared some of their people's most eye-catching achievements. And through debate and discussion, they looked at how this kind of platform can influence international relations and global development. CGTN's Rory Cohen has more.

With the theme of 'Dialogue of Civilizations: Cooperation and Conflict', hosts and guests discussed the rise and fall of the world's civilizations, cultural diversity and the rejuvenation of our time-honored legacies. They all stressed the need for dialogue among the world's peoples. As CGTN Controller Jiang Heping says, it may have great significance for the world and humanity.

JIANG HEPING CONTROLLER OF CGTN "We need a dialogue of civilizations in order to explore more rational approaches for world peace and development. We need a dialogue of civilizations in order to inject new momentum into the rejuvenations of our countries. We need a dialogue of civilizations in order to blaze a new trail ahead for human civilization."

While this era of globalization brings us benefits, problems remain, such as clashes among different civilizations. Some countries fear that their culture, or their people are at risk of being overshadowed by others. But experts say this should be thought of as a kind of fusion rather than clashes, and that dialogue should always be an option for people.

LEONIDAS ROKANAS GREEK AMBASSADOR TO CHINA "I think this fusion happens most peacefully, it doesn't happen very violently. And the violent changes are not permanent changes. The peaceful changes and gradual changes are those who are the most permanent and the most long-standing. It's like an organism, a culture is like an organism. It evolves. So as it evolves, it acquires new elements, we should be no afraid of it."

ABDUL-MONEM AL-MASHAT, DEAN FACULTY FUTURE UNIVERSITY IN EGYPT "I think dialogue is extremely important, it is possible, it is not impossible. In fact, humans, by nature, are open to dialogue, not to get into conflicts."

History can offer us a mirror into the rise and fall of nations. Under the current global states of trade protectionism, unilateralism and extremism, all nations have a need for development and revitalization. In their discussion, guests agreed that by dialogue and cooperation, rather than conflicts or clashes, mankind can explore solutions to today's problems, discuss methods of revitalization and development, and discover new progress for human civilization.