On the 18th, the fourth "Liangzhu Forum" jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Cutural Heritage Administration and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province was opened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
The forum, with the theme of "Inheriting Civilization: Guarding Cultural Heritage and Lighting up the Light of the Times," invites domestic and foreign experts to focus on topics such as early civilization, urban archaeological sites, and the protection of large archaeological sites for discussions. A number of new academic research progress and achievements will be released, contributing China's ideas and strength to the protection of global cultural heritage. At the main forum, Chen Xingcan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Chairman of the Chinese Archaeological Society, released important achievements in the study of the origin of the Yangtze River civilization in "Archaeological China". He systematically explained the development process of the diverse and integrated early Chinese civilization, providing solid archaeological support for promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning.
2026 marks the 90th anniversary of the discovery of the Liangzhu site. The sub forum on "Exploring the Origins: Evidence and Spiritual Decoding of Early Civilization Archaeology and 90th Anniversary of the Discovery of Liangzhu Site" focuses on the practical experience of archaeology, research and protection of early civilization sites in the world, interdisciplinary cooperation in prehistoric agriculture development and ecological adaptation, and technological archaeology. It invites joint Chinese and foreign archaeologists and top scholars in the field of prehistoric archaeology to engage in international dialogue. The National Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries Picture Exhibition and the 90th Anniversary Theme Special Exhibition of Liangzhu Site Discovery are held simultaneously.
The sub forum on "Mutual Learning: Application and Value Inheritance Practice of World Cultural Heritage" invites responsible persons, teams, and institutions of different types of heritage sites, buildings, architectural complexes, cultural landscapes, etc. that have successfully applied for World Heritage after 2016 to share their experiences and convey the scientific concepts and practical achievements of China's heritage protection and application work to the world. The sub forum on "Empowerment: Cultural Heritage Protection and Technology Application" invites ministerial level officials from cultural heritage management departments, representatives of relevant international organizations, and experts and scholars in the field of heritage protection from 25 member (partner, observer) countries and 7 key countries of the Asian Cultural Heritage Conservation Alliance to participate, promoting resource sharing, technical cooperation, and talent exchange among alliance member countries. The sub forum on "Watchtower: Promoting the Return of Lost Cultural Relics to Their Countries of Origin" invites experts and scholars from relevant fields such as international law and cultural relics to conduct discussions and dialogues, in order to strive for broader international cooperation space for the recovery and return of lost cultural relics in China. The sub forum on "Zhiyuan: Cultural Heritage Protection, Inheritance, and Sustainable Tourism" invites authoritative experts in the fields of global cultural heritage and tourism to hold a roundtable dialogue, prepare and release strategic oriented outcome documents and forward-looking initiatives.
In addition, this forum has also set up 5 supporting activities. 25 renowned artists from 14 countries conducted exchanges and mutual learning through art exchange visits, creative works, themed exhibitions, and other forms. (Outlook New Era)