The "International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations 2026" is inaugurated on today (Nov. 9) in Macao. Under the core theme "Mutual Learning among Civilizations, Inheritance and Development", the two-day Forum (Nov. 9 and Nov. 10) will feature nearly 40 thematic sessions and academic exchange sessions conducted by nearly 300 representatives from government departments, international organizations, leading experts and scholars from over 20 countries worldwide.
Presented by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, with the academic support of the Chinese Academy of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this year's Forum features the "Keynote Speech", "Sub-forums" and "Academic Salons". In the Keynote Session, a total of seven internationally renowned cultural experts, including the member of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Feng Shi; the Director of the Research Department of the Toyo Bunko and Senior Research Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities of the Sun Yat-sen University, Hamashita Takeshi; the Director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World and Professor of the School of Governance and Policy at the University of Hong Kong, Li Cheng; the President of Minzu University of China, Qiang Shigong; the Dean of the School of Public Policy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Zheng Yongnian; the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Associations of Cultural Sectors of Macau, Mok Ian Ian; and the Professor of Ancient History of the Department of Classics of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of King's College London, United Kingdom, Hugh Bowden, who will explore the contemporary value of inheritance and cultural exchange among civilizations from multiple perspectives.
In this opening address for the Second International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations, the Chief Executive of Macao SAR, Sam Hou-fai, welcomes participants. He highlights Macao's unique historical role as a key window for exchanges between Chinese and Western civilizations under "One Country, Two Systems". Macao will continue to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, serve as a connector between China and Portuguese‑speaking countries, and explore human‑centered digital and AI applications for cultural heritage. Calling for equal, open dialogue among civilizations, he hopes the forum can build consensus and contribute to a community with a shared future for mankind.
Li Guoqiang, Member of the Academic Divisions of CASS and Director of the Macao Historical Research Center of the Chinese Academy of History, congratulates the Forum. He highlights Macao's unique legacy of integrated civilizations under "One Country, Two Systems", endorses the Global Civilization Initiative, and urges scholars to foster dialogue for human civilizational progress and a shared future for mankind.
The "International Forum on Mutual Learning among Civilizations", held once again, serves as an important measure for Macao to actively align itself with the national cultural development strategy and implement the global civilization initiative. Leveraging Macao's role as "a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist", the Forum invites renowned scholars from around the world for in-depth dialogue, which not only expands Macao's cooperative network for regular international academic exchange, but also fully demonstrates Macao's unique role in promoting exchange and mutual learning between the Chinese and Western civilizations and building a community with a shared future for humanity.
(Reporter: Liu Yu, Silvia Chung)
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