Nobel laureate: cultural exchanges should be part of 'Belt and Road'

Nobel Prize laureate Mo Yan delivers a speech at the forum. [Photo by Hu Meidong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Traditional culture in Asia is a precious treasure that should be well preserved and developed through enhanced exchanges between countries, said Nobel laureate Mo Yan.

Mo Yan, China's Nobel Prize winner for literature, shared stories with participants at the 3rd Asia Cultural Forum in Quanzhou, East China's Fujian province.

Several days ago, ambassadors of more than 30 African countries visited a very small company in Guangzhou. The ambassador from Comoros said he looked forward to the visit because the company produces Artemisinin, a drug that could significantly reduce the mortality rates for patients suffering from malaria.

"In 2014, Comoros achieved zero fatality of malaria and the number of patients was down by 98 percent, thanks to the use of Artemisinin," Mo said. The drug also enabled Chinese herbal expert Tu Youyou to win the Nobel Prize of science.

According to Mo, Tu was inspired by one of China's classical medicine books from more than 1,500 years ago.

"Many Asia countries have cultural heritage like this book," Mo said. "Through innovation and exchange, they could benefit people in modern times."

He also told the story of his friends from South Korea.

Once, while drinking, his Korean friend suddenly handed his own cup to Mo, and Mo did likewise, exchanging cups.