Former diplomats and scholars from India, Japan and other countries shared techniques for better diplomacy across Asia and the rest of the world in a discussion on Friday.

Shyam Saran, former Foreign Secretary of India, said, “You need to have a spirit of plurality. You respect differences, but you try to overcome some of the differences, reconcile some of the differences, true engagement, true dialogue, that is the Asian way.”  

Japan, which has been competitive-cooperative with China in many fields, also agreed that seeking common ground while respecting differences is the principle for the bilateral relations.

The event is part of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, and follows controversial statements made by a senior official of U.S President Donald Trump's administration.

Kiron Skinner, Director of Policy Planning of the State Department of U.S., said, “It is the first time that we will have a great-power competitor that is not Caucasian.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping slammed the statement in his keynote speech at the opening of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.   

“It is foolish to believe that one's race and civilization are superior to others, and it is disastrous to willfully reshape or even replace other civilizations,” Xi Jinping said.

Many believe that in the face of globalization, it is important to emphasize interests beyond individual countries and see the world as a whole family in resolving global issues and challenges.