2025 International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations opens in Macao SAR

The International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations 2025 opened on Tuesday in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). 

The two-day forum, from December 16 to 17, brings together over 50 representatives from government departments, international organizations, and leading experts and scholars from nearly 10 countries. Over 20 keynote speeches and academic exchanges will be held during the event.

Acting Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Wong Sio Chak, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Wang Gang, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Huang Liuquan, and other senior officials attended the opening ceremony.

In his address, Wang noted that 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Historic Center of Macao's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He said the forum is a concrete practice of the Global Civilization Initiative, offering a new platform for equal dialogue, exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

Wang expressed hope that participants would engage in deep discussions, build consensus through dialogue, and pool collective strength to give new momentum to the development of human civilization.

"We should respect diverse civilizations and deepen mutual learning and exchange to promote dialogue among different civilizations," said Wang, adding that "we should promote shared values and foster harmonious coexistence: Uphold the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom for all humanity, understand different civilizations' perceptions of these shared values, work together to address global challenges and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity."

He also urged all sides to safeguard cultural treasures and strengthen inheritance and innovation: explore the historical and cultural values of various countries and promote the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional cultures; learn from Macao's experience and delve into its rich cultural connotations and experiences to support cultural heritage protection and safeguard humanity's cultural treasures.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening people-to-people exchanges and reaching consensus on cooperation, showing support for Macao's use of its cultural strengths as a mix of Chinese and Western cultures and its role as a bridge between China and the world.

Wang expects the forum to cover diverse topics and offer rich content. He is eager for guests to share their wisdom freely, build consensus through discussions, and learn from each other, aiming to boost the growth and progress of human civilization.