Scholars and policymakers emphasized the critical need for cross-cultural cooperation at the 2025 International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations, which opened Tuesday in the Macao Special Administrative Region. The event convenes over 50 delegates from governments, academic institutions, and international organizations across 10 countries to address contemporary challenges through cultural understanding.
Peking University's Boya chair professor Qian Chengdan challenged historical narratives of civilizational hierarchy, stating: 'Diversity isn't just a characteristic of human development – it's the foundation of our collective future.' He critiqued colonial-era distortions of cultural relations while highlighting how 20th-century modernization enabled non-Western societies to reclaim their developmental narratives.
Li Guoqiang of the Chinese Academy of History presented tangible examples of historical exchange, including China's imperial examination system influencing British civil service reforms. 'From Ming-era maritime trade to Macao's 400-year role as an East-West bridge, our shared history proves integration drives progress,' Li noted, referencing the host city's UNESCO-listed blend of Chinese and Portuguese heritage.
The forum comes as global institutions increasingly recognize cultural diplomacy's economic implications. Recent World Bank data shows nations scoring high on cultural openness indices experienced 2.3% higher GDP growth in 2025 compared to closed counterparts.
Delegates will spend Wednesday developing policy recommendations for educational exchanges and heritage preservation funding mechanisms. The outcomes are expected to inform UNESCO's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals review process.
