"International Forum on Mutual Learning of Civilizations 2026" was held in Macao, using culture as a bridge to dialogue across mountains and seas

The "International Forum on Mutual Learning of Civilizations 2026" will be held in Macau from November 9th to 10th. Representatives of government departments, international organizations, experts and scholars from more than 20 countries and regions attended the conference and gave nearly 40 special speeches, civilized dialogues, campus sharing, etc., demonstrating the distinctive features of cross-field expert gathering, high-level international exchanges, and high-end civilized dialogues.

Be an active builder of contemporary civilizational dialogue

With the theme of "Mutual Learning, Inheritance and Development of Civilizations", this forum extends to sub-forums such as "Dialogue of Civilizations Across Mountains and Seas", "Civilization Connections between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries" and "Light of Civilization in the AI Era".

"Using Macao as a platform to conduct dialogues on mutual learning among civilizations has profound historical roots." said Macao SAR Chief Executive Sam Ho-fai. Macao is an important node on the Maritime Silk Road, where cultures from different regions, beliefs and traditions coexist harmoniously. From world cultural heritage to living intangible cultural heritage, from Western-style historical churches to Lingnan traditional architecture, they all illustrate the mutual nourishment of civilizations through encounters. As the "precision contact" between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, Macao continues to promote two-way cultural dialogue and is an active builder of contemporary civilizational dialogue.

Hugh Bowden, a professor in the Department of Classics at the School of Arts and Humanities at King's College London, said that the best way for different civilizations to avoid conflicts and promote development is through dialogue and mutual understanding.

"Macao's role is two-way communication." Zheng Yongnian, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), said that on the basis of the main body of Chinese civilization, Macao absorbs and transforms foreign civilizations with an open and inclusive mind, forming a unique blend of Chinese and Western cultural features. "Macao's practice provides an important reference for mutual learning, inheritance and development of civilizations." Zheng Yongnian said.

“In front of the Dome Theater, a century-old historical building, holding a civilized dialogue with the theme of ‘Inheritance and Development of Civilizations, Protection of Chinese Heritage, and Continuity of Local Humanities’ is a vivid story of the voices of different civilizations hearing each other and understanding each other.” said Mu Xinxin, Executive Vice President of the Macau Federation of Cultural Circles.

Taiwanese writer Yang Du and Hong Kong scholars Zheng Peikai and Mu Xinxin continue to discuss civilization. Yang Du believes that the key to the sustainability of civilization lies in the persistence of the original intention of humanity and the integration and inclusiveness in daily life. Zheng Peikai, based in the Greater Bay Area, explained the creative transformation and innovative development of China’s excellent traditional culture.

Let technological innovation keep the original intention of humanity

At present, AI (artificial intelligence) is rapidly integrating into and changing people's work and life. How to guide science and technology to serve human progress, let technological innovation maintain the original intention of humanity, and enable the integration of civilizations rather than opposition has become a new topic.

"Young people can see the original appearance of the Ruins of St. Paul's by wearing AR (augmented reality) glasses, and sit in a simulated racing car and immediately feel the speed of the Guia Circuit." Liang Huimin, Director of the Culture and Sports Bureau of the Macau SAR Government, gave an example. Macau is actively using digital technology to help protect and inherit cultural heritage. Through digital display and technological innovation of cultural resources, precious historical culture can be brought into public life and better inspire the future of the city.

Wu Qiong, Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts of Tsinghua University and Director of the Art and Science Research Center of Tsinghua University, shared the theme of "Design Innovation in the Artificial Intelligence Era". She said that design should adhere to the humanistic foundation, protect cultural diversity through interdisciplinary innovation, and promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

"The uncertainty and technological challenges brought about by the artificial intelligence revolution far exceed those of the previous three industrial revolutions. This is not only a new driving force for mutual learning among civilizations, but also an urgent requirement for global collaborative governance." Zhu Feng, a professor at the School of International Relations at Nanjing University, believes that the international community should abandon the governance idea of ​​fighting each other, based on multilateralism, carry out dialogue and consultation, build a global governance consensus, jointly manage various uncertainties in the development of artificial intelligence, transform technological dividends into a development force for mutual learning among civilizations, and let artificial intelligence serve the common welfare of all mankind.

Shi Anbin, a professor at Tsinghua University, said that mutual learning among civilizations is not a one-way export, but a global co-creation. "Digital Intelligence", represented by online articles, short plays, online games, etc., is relying on open source technology, localized customization, and global co-creation to break away from the traditional model of one-way content output and promote the establishment of a more equitable new order of cross-cultural communication.

Promote the harmonious coexistence of diverse civilizations in the world

"In less than 24 hours after arriving in Macau, what I saw was a modern and dynamic city with European elements of architecture and street style, blended with Chinese history and culture. It is very charming. I look forward to exploring its secrets," Hugh Bowden said.

Outside the venue, a welcome dinner carefully presented by the organizer was arranged outdoors at Macau Longhuan Puyun Wetland Park. The digital human "Kiki" greeted the guests, and the intelligent robot performed Tai Chi, singing and dancing, interpreting the innovative vitality of the integration of technology and humanities. Accompanied by the music played by the Macao Chinese Orchestra, guests at the event enjoyed the customs of Portuguese folk dance, the charm of Chinese martial arts and Cantonese opera singing, tasting the flavors of Cantonese and Portuguese food, and experienced the unique style of Macao's multicultural integration.

The forum achieved fruitful results. At the closing ceremony, the new book "Special Collection of "Window on Chinese Culture"" was released, and the "Publishing Cooperation Agreement between the Culture and Sports Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Publishing Foundation of the State University of São Paulo in Brazil" was signed, which attracted attention.

Lin Faqin, president of the Macau Cultural and Educational Publishing Association and dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Macau Polytechnic University, introduced that the "Window of Chinese Culture" project was launched in September 2023 by the Macau Daily News and the Portuguese newspaper Notícias to introduce Chinese culture to readers in Portuguese-speaking countries. In the past three years, a total of 160 special editions in Portuguese have been launched, and nearly 1,470 pieces of content have been published on overseas social platforms. "The "Window of Chinese Culture" Special Edition Collection released this time is published in Chinese and Portuguese, and contains about 150 Chinese and Portuguese articles from previous special editions," Lin Faqin said.

Liang Huimin introduced that this year coincides with the "China-Brazil Cultural Year". The Culture and Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and the Publishing Foundation of the State University of São Paulo in Brazil have reached an agreement to cooperate and jointly carry out the "East to West: Macao Translation and Communication Platform Publishing Project", which will complete the translation, review, publication and promotion of a total of 20 Portuguese translations of Chinese classics in batches.

"Looking to the future, we are willing to work side by side with friends from all walks of life around the world, using Macao as a link and culture as a bridge, continue to organize international forums for mutual learning among civilizations, continue to deepen dialogue among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges, and work together to promote the harmonious coexistence and common prosperity of the world's diverse civilizations," said Liang Huimin.

Reporter Fu Zimei