BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded diversity and vitality of Asian civilizations at a grand carnival held Wednesday evening during the ongoing Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in Beijing.

Asian cultures demonstrate great richness and vitality thanks to the diversity of Asian civilizations, Xi said in a speech at the beginning of the event. "Tonight, the colorful flowers of Asian cultures will blossom in full."

"Arts will transcend the boundaries of nations, touch people right in the heart and connect their minds, showing to the world a radiant, dynamic, peaceful and progressive Asia," he said.

Chinese people sincerely hope that Asian countries will help each other and work closely together to advance with the rest of the world, he said.