Macao Hosts International Forum on Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning

 

On December 16, 2025, the international community celebrated the 12th Belt and Road International Day & Silkworm God's Day. With the theme of "Civilization Exchange, Mutual Learning, Inheritance and Development", the first International Forum on Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning kicked off in Macao, marking the start of the Belt and Road New Year celebrations in the region. Hosted by the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and supported by the Chinese Academy of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the forum gathered approximately 300 representatives from government departments, international organizations, experts and scholars from 10 countries and regions along the Belt and Road.

 

The forum featured two parallel sessions themed "Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning with Pluralistic Coexistence" and "Protection and Sustainable Development of Cultural Heritage" respectively. Additionally, six academic salons were held, where guests shared insights on topics including "Civilization Inheritance and Historical Paths", "Global Challenges and Response Strategies for the Protection of World Cultural Heritage", "The Contemporary Value of the 'One Country, Two Systems' Practice and Civilization Exchange", "International Cooperation Practices and Experiences in Cultural Heritage Protection", "Cultural Diversity and a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind", and "Starting from Macao: New Concepts for World Cultural Heritage Protection".

 

The Belt and Road New Year celebrations link East and West through the Peace Gull for mutual learning and exchange, integrating five festivals—Silkworm God's Day, Christmas, New Year's Day, Spring Festival and Lantern Festival—to celebrate together and share five blessings. On the same day, in accordance with the suggestions of the "Study Power" platform under the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, relevant institutions in Macao organized thematic learning activities for the 12th Belt and Road International Day, focusing on the following contents:(1) Xi Jinping Collection: Xi Jinping on the "Belt and Road" (2025); (2) The general secretary continues to promote the high-quality development of the "Belt and Road"; (3) Theoretical and practical path of high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road".