ISTANBUL -- China-proposed initiatives, such as the Belt and Road cooperation, have been helping the world break down barriers that have historically led to misunderstandings and conflicts, a Turkish expert told Xinhua recently.

These initiatives promote people-to-people ties, and language, religion, and cultural awareness, allowing peoples, languages, religions and cultures to "get to know each other," which "matters the most," said Akkan Suver, head of the Istanbul-based Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation.

Noting the importance of this kind of mutual understanding in resolving conflicts and building lasting peace, Suver said open dialogue and cultural diversity pave the way for cooperation that transcends politics and economics.

Suver, who recently paid a visit to China to participate in an international media conference organized by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said the conference was timely and meaningful in promoting dialogue amid a world challenged by conflicts and wars.

The SCO serves as a regional platform to foster security, economic collaboration and diplomatic dialogue, he said, adding that "the SCO carries out, and will continue to carry out, important work for peace, dialogue, and trade."

China, the driving force behind the SCO, plays a vital role in advancing regional security, economic cooperation, and diplomatic engagement among member states, he noted.

Meanwhile, China's green development notions and practices, within the framework of the SCO, have made great contributions to environmental sustainability, and promoted reforestation, clean energy, and urban ecology across member states, he added.