# Fourth Liangzhu Forum Opens in Hangzhou to Facilitate Global Heritage Dialogue

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/fourth-liangzhu-forum-opens-in-hangzhou-to-facilitate-global-heritage-dialogue
- Published: 2026-10-19T10:31:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

‍‍‍HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This golden October season once
again draws global attention to Liangzhu in Yuhang, southeast China’s Hangzhou City,
as the 4th Liangzhu Forum opened on October 18, drawing hundreds of Chinese and 
foreign guests to conduct in‑depth discussions under the theme "Bridging the Past
and Future: Safeguarding Cultural Heritage for Our Times."

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the discovery of the Liangzhu Site. More
than 5,000 years ago, ancient Liangzhu people built a grand city here and created
a brilliant rice‑farming civilization. In 2019, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu
City were inscribed on the World Heritage List, providing tangible evidence for 
China’s 5,000‑year‑old civilization.

Today, this ancient land is far more than an archaeological excavation site. It 
has grown into a venue where different civilizations listen to each other and draw
mutual inspiration.

Launched in 2023, the Liangzhu Forum has advanced civilizational dialogue between
China and Belt and Road partner countries. Building on the achievements of its previous
three sessions, it has evolved into a permanent national‑level mechanism for dialogues
on civilizations.

This national‑level dialogue platform has been incorporated into the outline of 
China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan this year.

Apart from the opening ceremony and main forum, the 4th edition features five sub‑
forums and five supporting events, according to the organizing committee of the 
forum. The agenda addresses widely‑discussed global heritage topics, covering early‑
civilization archaeology, World Heritage nomination, technology‑driven heritage 
conservation, restitution of lost cultural relics, and sustainable tourism for heritage
sites.

The main forum hosts keynote speeches, international cooperation signing ceremonies,
and the release of key findings from the Yangtze‑River civilization origins research.

At sub‑forums, scholars will trace the origins of ancient civilizations while tackling
real‑world challenges. Discussions will focus on new‑tech heritage protection, the
return of lost cultural relics, and the balance between heritage conservation and
tourism development.

Meaningful exchanges go beyond conference halls. A rich array of supporting activities
makes ancient civilizations visible and tangible. Twenty‑five artists from 14 countries
have come to Hangzhou for field‑inspired creation. They visited UNESCO sites including
the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, West Lake and the Grand Canal, capturing
encounters between civilizations through artworks.

A lively Liangzhu cultural and creative products fair blends traditional craftsmanship
with AI‑driven innovation, forming a complete industrial chain from cultural resources
to creative products. Youth dialogue sessions will also take place, where foreign
ambassadors to China and experts talk with students about the value of mutual learning
among civilizations.

Beyond forum activities, the Liangzhu Cultural Corridor integrates heritage protection
into ordinary people’s daily lives. Many World Heritage sites face a well‑known 
dilemma: closed protection may create isolated "cultural islands", while over‑development
risks damaging relics.

Liangzhu has explored a viable alternative approach. Centered on the ancient city
ruins, it links historical sites, ancient towns, villages and cultural‑creative 
parks. Archaeological resources fuel local industries and raise household incomes,
achieving coordinated progress among conservation, industrial growth and public 
wellbeing.

Cultural heritage here is not merely a specimen locked behind fences. Ancient jade‑
cong motifs are adapted for cultural‑creative merchandise. VR technology transports
visitors back to the 5,000‑year‑old ancient city. Villagers near the site also share
the benefits brought by cultural development.

Civilizations become colorful through exchange and enriched through mutual learning.
The Liangzhu Forum provides an equal and open dialogue platform rooted in this 5,000‑
year‑old land, enabling global participants to revisit humanity’s shared ancient
origins and explore how cultural heritage can respond to modern‑day challenges, 
so that time‑tested civilizational wisdom can illuminate the present and the future.

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