He said there is a need to tolerate the different cultures and values, as failure to do so could be dire.

“We should not impose one single value system to the world because many countries are not prepared for it,” he said.

“There must be efforts to explain the different cultures and values. Asians should be allowed to preserve their values as they will create better understanding. When certain values are imposed, it will be disruptive, resulting in violence.”

Mahathir was speaking at the leaders’ round table summit on the last day of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, attended by 37 world leaders.

He said China’s Belt and Road Initiative not only fostered development among its participating countries but also created a better understanding.

“Only through understanding we can reap the benefits of an interconnected world.”

He said Malaysia believed that the Belt and Road Initiative, comprising inter-connected infrastructure projects around the world, would contribute to world peace and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.