The first Liangzhu Forum opens in east China's Hangzhou

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, reads out a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping and delivers a keynote speech at the Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Yue Yuewei/Xinhua]

HANGZHOU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- With the theme of "Implementing the Global Civilization Initiative, Promoting Exchanges and Mutual Learning Between Civilizations," the first Liangzhu Forum opened Sunday in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.

The forum is of great significance to appreciating China's ancient civilization, preserving historical and cultural heritage, and promoting cultural inheritance, development, exchanges and cooperation.

Foreign guests attend the first Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Huang Zongzhi/Xinhua]

Stella Chryssoulaki, general director of Heraklion Archaeological Museum, speaks during the Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Huang Zongzhi/Xinhua]

Lacerda Brasileiro Francisco, mayor of Municipality of Foz do Iguacu of Brazil, speaks during the Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Huang Zongzhi/Xinhua]

Tan Huism, executive director of Qatar National Library, speaks during the Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Huang Zongzhi/Xinhua]

Ylljet Alicka, director of international relations of Jazz in Albania, speaks during the Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Huang Zongzhi/Xinhua]

Saodat Ruzieva, chief expert of Art Gallery of Uzbekistan, speaks during the Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 3, 2023. [Photo by Huang Zongzhi/Xinhua]