Harnessing Digital Intelligence to Promote Mutual Learning Among Civilizations: Forum on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations in Cyberspace Held at 2026 WIC Wuzhen Summit

The Forum on Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations in Cyberspace was held on November 4 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, as part of the 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit. Hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and co-organized by CRI Online, Huawei and RayNeo, the forum was attended by guests from around the world, including representatives of government authorities, international organizations, cultural institutions, media outlets and technology companies. The guests shared the latest trends and achievements in fostering a positive online environment, which were made under the Global Civilization Initiative, and exchanged insights and experiences on promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations in cyberspace. The discussions aimed to contribute ideas and strength to building a community with a shared future in cyberspace.

An initiative to improve minors' Internet literacy was launched at the forum. Participants in the launch ceremony included Tian Zuyin, Director of the Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education of China; Zhao Hui, Deputy Director and Level I Bureau Rank Official of the Bureau of Social Affairs of the Cyberspace Administration of China; Xiao Hang, Deputy Director of the Center for Educational Technology and Resource Development of the Ministry of Education of China; Zhu Dianjun, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Tencent; and Zhang Jiuzhen, Director of the Department of Information Management at Peking University. Improving minors' Internet literacy and guiding young people to use the Internet in a responsible and civilized manner are essential to fostering a positive online environment and advancing exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. The initiative aims to lay a solid foundation for the healthy development of minors in cyberspace.

Following the launch ceremony were in-depth discussions on key topics, including the digital preservation and development of cultural heritage, international youth exchanges and talent cultivation, and the ways to strengthen mainstream media's capacity for cross-cultural communication.

The following guests delivered keynote speeches: Su Bomin, a research librarian and the former director of the Dunhuang Academy; Michael Crook, the co-founder of the Western Academy of Beijing and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award; John Allen Goodrich, the senior editor of the New Media Editorial Department of CGTN; and renowned actor Zhang Songwen. Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in China, also delivered a video address, sharing his positive outlook on new opportunities for dialogue among civilizations in the digital and intelligent era.

Su Bomin, a research librarian and the former director of the Dunhuang Academy

In his keynote speech, titled "Presenting Chinese Civilization to the World in the New Era", Su introduced the Dunhuang Academy's achievements in digital preservation of heritage and international dissemination. As of 2025, the academy had completed high-precision data collection for 323 caves, generating more than 600 terabytes of digital materials. Since its launch, the "Digital Dunhuang" (数字敦煌) portal has attracted visitors from more than 80 countries and regions, with cumulative visits exceeding 24 million. The "Digital Library Cave" (数字藏经洞) database launched in 2025 has brought together and made available the digital restorations of Dunhuang's cultural relics held overseas. The Dunhuang Academy has also introduced innovative initiatives, including its digital cultural ambassador "Jiayao" (伽瑶) and the "Digital Patrons" (数字供养人) program, bringing the millennia-old cultural heritage of Dunhuang to life in the digital world and making it accessible to a wider audience.

Michael Crook, the co-founder of the Western Academy of Beijing and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award

Crook shared his understanding of mutual learning among civilizations in the Internet era. He noted that such exchanges are no longer confined to face-to-face meetings or study tours. Ordinary people and young students can now participate in and share their own stories of dialogue among civilizations. He used the online exchanges between young people in China and New Zealand as an example. Through these activities, he said, young people from the two countries connect via video, introduce their everyday campus lives and share their respective cultures. "Every online connection is an encounter between civilizations", he said. Crook called on educators and people-to-people exchange organizations to build platforms that encourage young people from different countries to share their own perspectives, replacing stereotyped perceptions with firsthand experiences.

John Allen Goodrich, the senior editor of the New Media Editorial Department of CGTN

Drawing on his years of working at CGTN, Goodrich commented that exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations are not abstract concepts in China, but practical principles for building relationships and promoting progress. In his view, friendship, trust and understanding are often deepened through seemingly negligible everyday moments, such as having coffee together, working side by side on a script or explaining an English idiom. He identified three key elements of cross-cultural communication: respect, listening and curiosity. In his view, human interaction is by no means a trivial matter — it is the foundation of trust between countries in a world often divided by misunderstandings,

Zhang Songwen, a Chinese actor

Elaborating based on his experiences portraying prominent historical figures such as Li Dazhao and Wu Xiuquan, Zhang reflected on his own early experiences as one of China's first Internet users. In the late 1990s, he met a group of online friends who shared his passion for recitation in online chat rooms. Together, they took a stand against harmful online content. Zhang said that while earlier generations had worked to safeguard the integrity and dignity of civilization, today's Internet users should protect sincere communication and a healthy online environment. "Civilization means being free without crossing the line, while openness means being inclusive while upholding principles," he said, describing these as the essential conditions for promoting mutual learning among civilizations in cyberspace.

In his video address, Jackson shared his thoughts on overcoming barriers between civilizations and languages. Drawing on his extensive work and life experiences worldwide, he encouraged young people to cross cultural boundaries with confidence, seize the opportunities of the times and embrace the vast possibilities of the digital and intelligent world.

The micro variety show "Civilizations in Conversation" unveiled

The forum also saw the launch of the micro variety show "Civilizations in Conversation". With a focus on dialogue between Chinese and international participants and a casual audiovisual format, the show is expected to open up new channels for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Ameen Muneer Mohammed Al-Obaidi, Director of the China News Center of China-Arab TV and the show's ambassador, said that what is most lacking in exchanges between different civilizations is not access to information, but sincere, equal dialogue between both sides. He said he would continue to "use genuine dialogue to dispel misunderstandings and share goodwill through heartwarming stories".

The roundtable dialogue is centered on the new approaches to dialogue among civilizations through co-creating a diverse range of online content

The roundtable dialogue, themed "Co-Creating Diverse Online Content, Unlocking New Paradigms for Dialogue Among Civilizations", was moderated by Zhang Xuesong, Director of the Strategic Research Department of the CICG Center for Asia-Pacific. Participants included Howie Li, Founder and CEO of RayNeo; Greg Perret, a French vlogger; Yu Qinke, General Manager of Baidu Baike; and Philip Lenard Read, a Canadian artist in Jingdezhen.

Li noted that augmented reality (AR) glasses can enable users to maintain eye contact with others while receiving real-time translation, and receive, in the meantime, the information about historical changes while exploring real-world settings, helping people "truly step into a civilization." He added that for Chinese technology companies expanding overseas, achieving two-way interaction requires technologies that bridge cultural divides as well as brand values that transcend borders.

Perret stressed that sharing, rather than going viral, is the real goal. He observed that food, scenery and technology have become three new "gateways" for Western viewers to learn about China. In his view, every video serves as a gateway, ultimately inspiring curious viewers to visit and experience the country for themselves.

Yu explained that Baidu Baike provides reliable factual references for both people and AI through mechanisms that ensure traceability, professional collaboration and a record of revisions. "AI lowers the barrier to writing, not the barrier to writing accurately. The faster the ship of our times sails, the more it needs the anchor of facts," she said.

Read has been working in Jingdezhen for more than 30 years. In his speech, he said that the city's inclusive cultural community made him feel that he found a place to call home. He noted that creativity and imagination are among humanity's most valuable qualities, and that the Internet should create more opportunities for people to share their enthusiasm and friendship.

"Shared Operatic Charm: Face-Changing Show Featuring a Foreign 'Monkey King'"

The forum concluded with an intangible cultural heritage showcase titled "Shared Operatic Charm: Face-Changing Show Featuring a Foreign 'Monkey King'", jointly presented by Cui Xinyue, the third-generation inheritor of the Qiu School (Jing Role) of Peking Opera, and Ghaffar Pourazar, a recipient of the Beijing Great Wall Friendship Award and a visiting professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts. During the show, the Chinese painted-face performer and the foreign performer portraying the Monkey King shared the stage. Through the distinctive melodies of Peking Opera, their performance offered a vivid illustration of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations across geographical and cultural boundaries.