"I am able to speak Chinese because I am fortunate enough to have studied in Chinese universities in a period when the Chinese Government strongly encouraged international exchange. To make Chinese language and culture globally relevant, we need to attract more foreign scholars to study and live in China, with long-term stays and scholarships for outstanding students. Initiatives such as the China Studies program, which supports outstanding overseas doctoral students conducting research in China, play a key role," Famularo told Beijing Review.

Themed Integrated Development of Culture and Technology, the two-day forum gathered about 800 Chinese and foreign guests, including heads of international organizations and well-known experts. They conducted in-depth exchanges on topics such as the transformation of cultural creation and communication in the information age, and the impact of AI on cultural development. The forum explored effective mechanisms for integrating culture and technology, contributing knowhow and strength to building a community with a shared future for humanity. 

Cultural crossroads 

The world today is undergoing turbulence and transformation. With frequent geopolitical conflicts and the resurgence of a zero-sum mentality, human society has once again found itself at a crossroads regarding its future direction.

"There are a whole series of reasons for global challenges such as geopolitical conflicts. One reason is that there is a lot of storytelling which is untrue, turning friends into competitors, turning competitors into adversaries. It's only by bringing our different worlds together that we can begin to recognize our common interests and shared aspirations, and that our differences, when put together, can help solve problems in the way that one particular culture can't," Robert Walker, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and of the British Academy of Social Sciences, told Beijing Review.

Against this backdrop, deepening exchange and mutual learning among civilizations has become an essential path for advancing human civilization and maintaining world peace. China has made considerable efforts to promote cultural exchange—from launching the initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs, to signing wide-ranging agreements on education, culture and tourism with nearly 150 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) participating countries, to advancing the Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI). In June 2024, a resolution proposed by China on the GCI was adopted by the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, designating June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.

The BRI is a China-proposed initiative to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. The GCI aims to promote the exchange and mutual learning between civilizations.

According to a report released by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies entitled From Initiative to Practice: Report on China's Cultural Exchanges With the World, China's proposals in the new era, represented by the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the GCI and the Global Governance Initiative, not only inject vitality into China's modernization, but also present Chinese perspective on resolving global deficits through dialogue among civilizations for this turbulent and changing world.

In today's complex international landscape, strengthening cooperation among nations has become increasingly important. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France, told Beijing Review that France and China share a common vision for the future, grounded in humanism and respect for diversity. Cultural exchange is essential to mutual understanding, and more bilateral agreements are needed, he said, adding that the China-France partnership can serve as a model for China-Europe relations, based on mutual respect, cooperation and candid dialogue, while contributing to peace and humanity's future in an increasingly uncertain world.

British writer Rudyard Kipling once remarked in the late 19th century, "East is East, and West is West." Today, efforts are needed to enable East and West to meet, understand each other and work together to address global challenges, jointly advancing human civilization and world peace.

Tech power 

There is no doubt that technology has profoundly reshaped the ways in which cultures and civilizations interact. Social media and online platforms have made cross-border exchange instantaneous and convenient, while digital technologies allow for the preservation and dissemination of ancient texts and artifacts. For example, the integration of 5G networks has diversified heritage presentation, offering immersive digital experiences that bring the stories of cultural sites to life for millions of people.

Yet technology is a double-edged sword, and it also presents challenges.

"Today we face a new and pressing danger. It is the danger that in our race toward technological advancement, we may lose sight of the very disciplines that give human life its depth and texture," said David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, at a parallel panel at the forum. "Without balance between technology

and the humanities, we risk creating a future where innovation is abundant but understanding is scarce, where data flows freely but meaning is lost, where efficiency is worshiped and empathy forgotten," he added.

"Technology is opening new spaces for cultural exchange, but it is only a tool, and its direction depends on cultural guidance. Without cultural values, technology may create division or even confrontation. We must therefore use the wisdom of civilization to regulate and guide technology so that it serves education, understanding and peace. Only in this way can technology truly contribute to the progress of humanity," Hassan Ragab, Director of the Confucius Institute at the Suez Canal University in Egypt, told Beijing Review.

Confucius Institutes, named after the ancient Chinese philosopher and educator Confucius (551-479 B.C.), serve as nonprofit public institutions to help people better understand China by teaching the Chinese language and culture at universities overseas.

Promoting the deep integration of culture and technology will provide vital support and momentum for cultural development and mutual understanding.

Gosset urged for stronger efforts in education: "Let us build schools and universities where the humanities are not sidelined, but are central to shaping ethical citizens. Let us design technologies that encourage curiosity, compassion and critical thinking."

Foreign guests also expressed their expectations for China's role in harnessing technology for cultural exchange. "China stands as the forefront of digital cultural diplomacy, weaving 5,000 years of rich heritage with cutting-edge technology to lead global cultural exchange. China can create joint VR (virtual reality) archives, preserving shared histories as global public goods accessible to all," Mohammed Saqib, President at the India China Economic and Cultural Council, told Beijing Review.

Global cooperation is essential to ensuring that technology empowers culture. "UNESCO looks forward to deepening cooperation with China in this field. Together, we can scale up successful initiatives, share expertise globally and develop new solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with the values of world heritage," said Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of UNESCO World Heritage, in his speech at the forum.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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