Iran and BRI: A Cultural Perspective of Strategic Cooperation

BRINFAITH RELIGION AND EMPIRE PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES

Iran and BRI: A Cultural Perspective of Strategic Cooperation

ABSTRACT
Iran and China’s relationship is following a long tradition of exchanges that can be traced back to ancient times. Certainly, when studying the long tradition of Iran and China, we can perceive that the Silk Road was not only linking cities like Xi’an and Isfahan for trade but also facilitated, the exchange of ideas, sciences, education, and intellectual exchanges. One of the most important aspects of Iran and China relations in ancient times is religion. Persian religions including Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism were spread to China by the Iranian elites who have also played an important role in non-Iranian religions in this regard. The relationship between China and Iran has intertwined in history as well as the old and new Silk Road projects and BRI. Indeed, cultural contacts and mutual influence via the Silk Road have been robust throughout the centuries. My speech proposes a new understanding of the old relationship between the two nations in the present cultural and political climate.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Alireza Khoshrou is currently a senior research associate in China Studies in the Research Department, at the Islamic Cultural and Relation Organization, Iran. He had served as Head of East Asian Religions Studies at the International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (ICRO). Khoshrou is a member of the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran and he has written extensively on cross- cultural issues in East Asia and China. Khoshrou graduated from Jilin University. He has been invited as a visiting scholar to several universities, including Chinese Hong Kong University, Waseda University, Jilin University, Shandong University, University of Ljubljana, etc. Dr. Khoshrou’s academic works and research focus on Modern Confucianism, Chinese Culture and Religious Studies and Public Diplomacy.

ORGANIZER
The event is organized by the CRF Project “Infrastructures of Faith: Religious Mobilities on the Belt and Road [BRINFAITH]” (RGC CRF HKU C7052-18G), which is hosted by the ASIAR – Asian Religious Connections Research Cluster in HKIHSS.