Macao Special Administrative Region Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture O Lam underscored the city's unique role as a bridge between Eastern and Western civilizations during her keynote address at the 2025 International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations. Speaking to delegates from over 50 countries and regions on December 16, O Lam emphasized how Macao's 450-year history of cultural coexistence continues to shape its modern identity as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
The forum, attended by UNESCO representatives and APEC members, showcased Macao's preservation of Lingnan architecture alongside Portuguese-style landmarks. 'Our success lies in making cultural differences a source of strength rather than conflict,' O Lam stated, highlighting recent initiatives to digitize rare Sino-Portuguese historical archives. Academic panels examined how Macao's model informs contemporary challenges in cultural preservation amid rapid urbanization across Asia.
