For archaeologist Fan Jinshi, the memory of her first handshake with President Xi Jinping in 2013 is as vivid as if it happened yesterday.

"You are an expert in Dunhuang culture study," said Xi, when greeting Fan at a meeting to honor national role models.

Fan was surprised and touched, noting despite Xi's busy work and schedule, he still recognized her immediately.

This was one of the five occasions Fan met and shook hands with Xi. In August 2019, Xi visited the Dunhuang Academy in Gansu province, and talked with experts including Fan. He called for more efforts in preserving the quintessence of Chinese culture, and emphasized the importance of supporting the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional culture.

Dunhuang culture shows the Chinese nation's confidence in its culture, Xi said. "Only a self-confident civilization can absorb and draw on the achievements of other civilizations while maintaining its own characteristics."