The two-day Yellow River Culture Forum kicked off in Dongying City, Shandong on April 18. The event's theme was "Promoting Yellow River Culture and Telling Yellow River Stories," and it attracted guests from China and overseas.

The Yellow River is widely considered the cradle of Chinese civilization but its influence extends beyond the nation’s borders. Guests at the forum expressed their willingness to introduce and promote the Yellow River culture to the world.

Burkhard Risse, a German expert from the Foreign Languages Press, echoed similar sentiments.

"Few people overseas know the Yellow River well. They might have some understanding of (it), mainly about ecological issues. But Yellow River culture not only includes ecology, but also many other aspects like folk art," he said. "As a translator and expert at China's Foreign Languages Press, I hope to introduce China's Shandong Province and its Yellow River culture to the world."

Erika Lizardo, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Peru in Beijing, praised the forum as a step in the right direction.

"I think that the government of Shandong was very wise to organize this forum," she said. "I heard it is the first one of its kind, and I think there will be benefits in all related areas, for example in economic, trade, cultural and academic (fields) and also environmental protection."

The Yellow River culture has spurred exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations for centuries. The rich history and unique traditions along the river have also imbued the diverse cultural and tourism resources in Shandong with a profound meaning.

Associate Professor Naser Golsanami of Shandong University of Science and Technology said the forum helps introduce Dongying City to the international community and merge the local culture with similar cultures and cities worldwide.

He said its influence on world culture encompasses a range of fields including literature, art, philosophy, and science and technology.