[Photo via The Beijing News]

On September 22, the 2026 Beijing Culture Forum, co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, officially opened in Beijing.

The Beijing Culture Forum has adopted the permanent theme of "Inheritance, Creativity, Mutual Learning". This year's forum will focus on "Cultural Heritage and Mutual Learning among Civilizations". Designed as a national-level, international, and academic event, the forum will bring together distinguished guests from around the world for in-depth discussions and exchanges to deepen international cooperation and build global consensus. It will serve as an important window for understanding Chinese culture, a key platform for advancing the Global Civilization Initiative, and a vital channel for promoting international cultural exchanges and cooperation.

This year's forum consists of the main forum, five parallel forums, six specialized salons, and regular events hosted at the Beijing Culture Forum Guest Hall. The main forum was held on the afternoon of September 22, where a number of distinguished guests delivered speeches. At the key outcomes release session, several major achievements were unveiled, including the Deepening Mutual Learning Among Civilizations and Highlighting Civilizational Markers: 2025 Report on Cultural Exchanges Between China and Foreign Countries and the "Top 10 Events in the Construction of the National Cultural Center in 2025", and project signing ceremonies were also held on site.

On September 23, the "Systematic Protection of Cultural Heritage" parallel forum, the "International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage Protection" parallel forum, the "Protection of Ancient Capitals amid Urbanization" parallel forum, the "Cultural Heritage and Literary and Artistic Creation" parallel forum, and the "Cultural Heritage Protection, Inheritance and Youth Participation" parallel forum will be held, along with the Cultural Industry Investors Conference and six professional salons on "The Knowledge System of Cultural Heritage Studies", "Tracing the Origins of Civilization and Xiliao River Culture", "Protection of Traditional Villages and Traditional Buildings", "The Contemporary Value of Cultural Heritage", "Integrated Protection of Urban Heritage", and "Cultural Exchange Between the Sanxingdui-Jinsha Sites and Surrounding Areas".

(Source: Beijing Daily)