Peking University, Dec. 11, 2018: Hosted by Peking University and co-organized by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC), the 4th Chinese Culture Forum was held at Yingjie Exchange Center of PKU from December 10 to 12.
Themed “Revitalize the Excellent Chinese Culture and Display the New Image of China,” the Forum aims to exert the positive role of Chinese scholars in the great project of national culture revitalization. The Forum received more than 120 papers and attracted nearly 300 distinguished guests from both sides of the Taiwan Straits. There were two parallel sessions on the topics of “Cross-strait Artists’ Exchange” and “Chinese Culture & Financial Innovation”.
The opening ceremony
Vice President of PKU, Wang Bo, presided over the opening ceremony where ACFTC Chairman Huang Zhixian and Chairman of PKU council Qiu Shuiping delivered their speeches. In his speech, Huang said that despite the ups and downs in cross-straits relations over the last 70 years, the 5000-year-old Chinese culture has maintained its vitality as the spiritual haven for rovers across the Strait, making it a vain attempt for the “Taiwan independence” forces to achieve “cultural independence.” Huang hoped ACFTC can strengthen its ties with Peking University and called on compatriots from all walks of life on both sides of the straits to contribute to the enrichment of Chinese culture.
Qiu pointed out that “culture is the soul of a country, and cultural prosperity is prerequisite for a nation’s fortune.” In August this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated the mission of revitalizing Chinese culture and appealed to present a real, all-rounded, and comprehensive China to the world for the enhancement of the country’s soft power and influence. Qiu stressed that the Forum hallmarked the consensus of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, and all Chinese should have the responsibility to revitalize Chinese culture, extract and display its essence, thus enabling the world to better understand China.
Qiu addressing
Zhang Zhijun, president of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, paid close attention and offered guidance to the Forum. During the Forum, Zhang cordially exchanged ideas with experts and scholars from both sides of the straits at Yingjie Exchange Center.
On December 12, the closing ceremony of the Forum was held at the Sunshine Hall of Yingjie Exchange Center. Ye Jingyi, vice-chairperson of PKU council delivered the closing remark on behalf of Peking University.
Since 2015, Peking University has successfully held three sessions of Chinese Culture Forum, attracting experts and scholars from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao to discuss the tradition and innovation of Chinese culture. Exerting a wide impact on Chinese societies, the Forum has rapidly developed into a large-scale national academic and cultural exchange event and become a well-known academic brand for the intellectuals on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to explore the revitalization and development of Chinese culture.
Written by: Harper Lee
Edited by: Wei Yunqi, Wang Qian