Chinese Silk Road News Network/

The Beijing Conference Charts a New Course for Global Cultural-Technology Cooperation in the AI Era

Beijing hosted, on November 18, 2025, the Conference on Integrated Development of Culture and Technology within the Belt and Road framework—an event that underscored the world’s growing interest in the convergence of cultural innovation and cutting-edge technology. Organized by the Silk Road Planning and Research Center in coordination with the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, the conference brought together more than 400 participants from China, and many other countries, including Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Spain, Germany, Turkey, Mongolia, Pakistan, Nepal, Ghana, and others, reflecting its broad international resonance.

Held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence + Cultural Technology: A New Ecosystem from an International Perspective,” the conference showcased China’s ambition to shape a forward-looking development model that fuses culture, tourism, digital transformation, and AI. It served as a dynamic platform where experts and policymakers explored how emerging technologies can energize creative industries, boost socio-economic development, and deepen cross-cultural understanding.

Changping: A Strategic Choice with Symbolic Significance

The choice of Changping District as the venue for the conference had both practical and symbolic significance. As one of Beijing’s fastest-growing districts, Changping represents a tangible embodiment of “Chinese modernization,” combining its rich cultural heritage with scientific research, technological innovation, and high-quality industrial development. Its growing strength in pharmaceuticals, healthcare technology, advanced energy, AI applications, green transformation, and high-end manufacturing has positioned it as a key pillar in supporting the Belt and Road Initiative.

Hosting the conference enables Changping not only to present its developmental achievements but also to learn from global experiences. The district seeks to leverage this international engagement to further refine its innovation ecosystem, expand its creative industries, and improve the quality of life for its residents, reinforcing its role as a rising hub for knowledge-driven growth.

Debating the Future of Culture and Technology

Throughout the event, researchers and specialists from China and Belt and Road countries engaged in forward-looking discussions on how to build a new cultural-technology landscape. The rapid rise of artificial intelligence—especially in education, media, tourism, and cultural preservation—has created both opportunities and challenges that demand collaborative responses.

Participants highlighted the need for innovative cross-border partnerships, integrated digital platforms, and new cultural-technology business models capable of bridging societies and promoting more inclusive cultural exchange. The conference demonstrated a shared understanding that true progress in the AI era requires not only technological capacity, but also cultural insight and international cooperation.

Aligned with China’s Strategic Vision

The event closely aligns with China’s broader strategic roadmap. It reflects the spirit of recent plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and echoes President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on strengthening cultural exchange, supporting creative industries, and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative through innovation-driven development.

Through this conference, China reiterated its message that cultural and technological cooperation has become a cornerstone of building a shared future—one grounded in mutual benefit, interconnected growth, and a global commitment to high-quality development.

A Step Toward a Shared Global Future

Ultimately, the 2025 Beijing Conference stood out as a milestone in redefining the relationship between culture and technology on the international stage. It demonstrated how AI and digital innovation can serve as bridges, not barriers—tools for deepening understanding, enriching cultural expression, and strengthening the foundations of sustainable global development.

By combining the content of the discussions and the diverse viewpoints, the conference contributed to the broader vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, where knowledge, creativity, and technological progress become catalysts for common prosperity.