Xi to address Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations

BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations to be held on May 15 in Beijing, a senior official said Thursday.

Xu Lin, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the State Council Information Office, made the announcement at a press conference.

Representatives from 47 Asian countries and other countries outside the region will participate in the event, Xu said.

Under the theme of "exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations and a community with a shared future," the conference includes a welcome dinner, an opening ceremony, thematic forums, an Asian Culture Carnival and an Asian Civilization Week.