The 6th Annual Conference of Taihu World Cultural Forum opened at Bengbu Ancient Dwelling Expo Park in Bengbu, East China's Anhui province, October 12, 2021. The theme of this year's Annual Conference was "Mutual Learning among Civilizations: Jointly Building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind". Six thematic forums and four special dialogues were held. The guests at the conference exchanged views on how to build a community with a shared future for mankind, comprehensively discussed the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic and technological development on the future of mankind, the challenge posed by climate change and identified new opportunities and new trends facing cultural innovation and development. Nearly 500 guests from more than 30 countries and regions participated in the forum both online and offline, including members of missions to China from 16 countries, such as Cambodia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Thailand, Moldova, Sri Lanka, Russia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Russia, Ukraine, etc.
Addressing the Digital Culture and Finance Industry segment at the Forum, Ambassador Dr. Kohona expressed the hope that there would be more collaboration between Chinese and Sri Lankan companies as China progressed along the impressive digitalization path, increasingly using AI and VR. The guests participating in this Forum included foreign ambassadors to China, digital technology experts, experts on cultural relics, and block chain experts. Speakers elaborated on China's proactive employment of AI and VR in conserving historical sites and valuable works of art.
The Dunhuang Academy has created a complete set of digital technologies in combining traditional culture with high technology. Even the possibility of commercializing digitalized historical works were being considered. Dr. Kohona encouraged further links between Sri Lanka and China in this new frontier of human progress.
The Conference of Taihu World Cultural Forum released a consensus document on seven topics including Cultural Diversity, the Belt and Road, Climate Change, etc.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Beijing
15 October 2021
