During the Tang Dynasty, the ancient Silk Road spanned thousands of miles. It stretched from Chang'an through the Hexi Corridor, Xinjiang and Central Asia to the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, and it was a conduit for thousands of foreigners traveling to Chang'an to trade and to study.

One thing those travelers brought with them for nourishment was flat bread, and for many this tasted better when it was added to mutton soup, the prototype of today's yangrou paomo.

Later, mutton soaked bread became a specialty in Shaanxi Province, with the reputation of "the first bowl under heaven". A sentence of "30 million Qin people roar Qin dialect, a bowl of mutton bubble beaming", expresses the Shaanxi people's love for mutton bubble, and shows the heroic and enthusiasm of Shaanxi people. In the 1980s, steamed buns even entered the state banquet and became a special dish to entertain guests.

This steaming bowl of steamed bread, combined with the essence of food from the Western regions and the Central Plains, has nourished business trips along the Silk Road, and now sits on the statedinner table to entertain guests from all over the world, becoming a vivid epitome of the mutuallearning and continuous integration of different civilizations along the Silk Road.

Entering the new century, with the Belt and Road Initiative, the world has set off a new upsurge inbuilding a community with a shared future for mankind. People of different skin colors have had more in-depth exchanges, and different civilizations have made new progress while seeking commonground while shelving differences

In Wiesbaden, Germany, the famous tale of Faust got a Peking Opera makeover when a modern rendering of one of the most famous of Western literary classics had its premiere.

In Mozambique, financial backing from China has helped bring satellite TV to many children's homes.

In Portugal, students are learning about electrical automation and industrial robotics in a Luban Workshop.

Under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, equal exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations will inject new strength into world peace and prosperity.

The next time you go to Xi 'an, when you meet foreign friends in a bun shop, be sure to tell them: "Ohmy God, this bowl of steamed buns that has been on fire for thousands of years is really yummy!"