Wuzhen Summit sub-forum focuses on cultural exchanges

The Forum on Internet Communication, Cultural Exchanges and Mutual Learning, a sub-forum of the 2023 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, was held on Thursday in the ancient water town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang province. 

Sun Haiyan, vice minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; Wang Jingtao, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission; and Cai Xiujun, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Zhejiang Provincial Committee, delivered opening addresses at the event. Gao Anming, vice president and editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG), presided over the forum.

Over 100 guests, including well-known scholars from both home and abroad, overseas Chinese and representatives from internet companies, attended the event. They jointly discussed how to seize opportunities brought about by digital technology, promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations and the common values of humanity under the guidance of the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to foster broad consensus on building a community with a shared future in cyberspace. 

The forum commenced with opening addresses and keynote speeches. Wang Xiaohui, editor-in-chief of China Internet Information Center under CICG, moderated the ensuing speeches, achievement releases and roundtable discussions.

In the keynote speeches, scholars from different countries discussed and expressed their respective views on the two topics of "meeting and knowing each other on the Belt and Road" and "growing consensus and resonance in cultural communication."

Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, gives a keynote speech at the Forum on Internet Communication, Cultural Exchanges and Mutual Learning during the 2023 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang province, Nov. 9, 2023. [Photo by Dong Ning/China.org.cn]

Irina Bokova, former director-general of UNESCO, said: "I believe we need a new type of Silk Road on the internet that is culturally diverse, inclusive, multilingual, that will allow to share knowledge and intercultural experiences, to collaborate and exchange ideas."

David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor of Foreign Languages Press under CICG and recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award and Orchid Awards, noted that building coordinated, integrated strategies is one of China's strengths. "That is how the battle of targeted poverty alleviation was won, and I believe that is how the international battle for young hearts and minds can be won on the internet," he said. 

Rebeca Phang from Peru shares her opinion at the roundtable discussion session of the Forum on Internet Communication, Cultural Exchanges and Mutual Learning during the 2023 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang province, Nov. 9, 2023. [Photo by Dong Ning/China.org.cn]

During the roundtable panel discussion, young people from countries such as the United States, Georgia, Peru and New Zealand discussed the theme of "Using the Internet to Promote the Integration of Civilizations." They shared their views and opinions from the perspectives of how to use social platforms to create valuable content, improve the technological literacy of media professionals, and strengthen multicultural exchanges and integration.

During the event, the launch ceremony for the "My China Story" Regional Culture Communication Cases Exhibition was held, and the 2023 Annual Report on the Chinese Cultural Symbols International Communication Index (CSIC) and the English version of the Digital Dunhuang Library Cave in Mogao Grottoes were also released.

The forum was hosted by CICG, and co-organized by China Internet Information Center, Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under CICG, and Tencent.