Over 50 scholars, experts, and government reps from nearly 10 countries gathered today in Macao SAR for the kickoff of the 2025 International Forum on Mutual Learning Among Civilizations. 🌏✨
At the opening, three top experts shared insights on why Macao has been a living example of East-West cultural fusion since becoming a port in the mid-16th century. Wu Zhiliang, president of the Committee of Administration of the Macao Foundation, noted that Macao’s secret sauce isn’t conquest—it’s conversation. 🤝
“Instead of one culture overtaking another, daily life here turned into an ongoing experiment in understanding and adapting,” Wu said. “Trade and day-to-day needs made cultural contact less about winning and more about learning together.”
Shifting gears to national development, Zheng Yongnian, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Shenzhen and president of the Institute for International Affairs, Qianhai, argued that true modernization works best when it’s rooted in local culture, not just copy-pasted from abroad.
Zheng highlighted two pillars of China’s modernization journey:
- Global openness combined with a clear, homegrown path.
- A commitment to international cooperation—sharing experiences so everyone can grow together, building what he calls “a community with a shared future for mankind.”
The forum runs through this week, aiming to spark more of these cross-border conversations. For young professionals in South and Southeast Asia, it’s a reminder that building bridges—cultural or digital—can lead to fresh ideas and powerful collaborations. Ready to bridge your own world? 🚀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
