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On the morning of November 10, 2025, to deepen traditional culture education and promote the preservation and development of intangible cultural heritage, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) at the University of Macau (UM) successfully held a themed lecture titled “Cross-Boundary Symbiosis: Opening New Perspectives on the Heritage Preservation and Development of Xiangyunsha” at Cultural Building. The lecture specially invited Prof. Wen Xia from the School of Design at Foshan University as the keynote speaker, moderated by Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the CCHC at the UM, and attracted many participants including faculty and student representatives from the UM and Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassadors.

At the opening of the lecture, Prof. Zhang Yan, representing the organizing unit, extended a warm welcome to Prof. Wen Xia, the keynote speaker, distinguished guests, Prof. Ma Xinlin, Dean of Central Wenshi Yanjiuguan Painting & Calligraphy Academy and other UM staff.

Prof. Wen Xia systematically expounded on the cultural connotations and modern value of Xiangyunsha, a traditional Lingnan silk craft with nearly a thousand years of history, centering on the integration of “intangible cultural heritage with art and technology.” Since 2019, Prof. Wen and her team have actively explored the combination of digital technology with art and design to promote the living heritage preservation and innovative development of Xiangyunsha. She provided detailed insights into the team’s research achievements in the digital preservation of Xiangyunsha, including establishing a digital database for Xiangyunsha, developing the “Xiangyun Liusha” APP mini-program, and constructing a visual knowledge graph, thereby transcending spatial and temporal limitations to bring Xiangyunsha into modern life.

Furthermore, Prof. Wen Xia shared her practical achievements in teaching and social service. She has led students on multiple occasions to conduct field research in Xiangyunsha production areas and guided students to participate in design competitions and innovation and entrepreneurship projects. She also shared experiences in empowering rural revitalization through art, emphasizing that cross-boundary integration is not only technological innovation but also an embodiment of cultural confidence, opening up important pathways for the sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage.

During the lecture, Prof. Wen Xia displayed numerous physical samples of Xiangyunsha fabrics and design works, vividly presenting the perfect combination of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and art design. The audience responded enthusiastically, with many expressing that through this lecture they gained a deeper understanding of the contemporary value of intangible cultural heritage and its preservation pathways.

At the conclusion of the lecture, Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the CCHC at the UM, and Ms. Kuan Sio In, Principal Admin Officer of the CCHC, presented appointment certificates as “Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassador Supervisors” to Prof. Ma Xinlin and Prof. Wen Xia respectively, jointly advancing the preservation and innovation of traditional Chinese culture to a new level.

This lecture represents one of the important activities of the CCHC at the UM in promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture education. Looking ahead, the CCHC will continue to expand diverse educational formats, guiding younger generations to strengthen their cultural confidence at the intersection of history and reality, and consciously shoulder the mission of preservation and innovation in this new era.

Group photo of the Forum

On 19 November 2025, the “Eighth China Culture (Macao) Forum” was grandly held at the Culture Building (E34) of the University of Macau (UM). With the theme of “The Autonomy of Chinese Culture and National Revitalization through Culture,” the Forum served as the core event of the Fourth Festival of Chinese Culture. Hosted by the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of the UM, it brought together more than 20 scholars from universities at home and abroad including Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University, and Sun Yat-sen University. The participants engaged in in-depth dialogue on the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture. Drawing on Macao’s geographical advantage as a place where Chinese and Western cultures meet, the event aimed to promote dialogue among civilizations and academic innovation, providing scholarly support for the strategy of invigorating the nation through culture.

The CCHC is an academic institution established with the support of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR and the Macao SAR Government. It is dedicated to the research, education and promotion of Chinese culture. As a Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences under the Ministry of Education, the Centre has become an important bridge linking academia and public education through specialized research, international academic forums, and faculty training. Continuing the mission of “Inheriting Civilization, Dialoguing with the World,” this year’s Forum featured a rich agenda and focused on cutting-edge topics such as the origins of civilization and the construction of the classical tradition.

Prof. Tang Chonchit chairing the session

On 19 November, the opening ceremony of the Fourth Festival of Chinese Culture was held at the Student Activity Centre E31 Theatre of the UM, after which the Forum moved into its core sessions. The keynote speeches were chaired by Prof. Tang Chon Chit. Prof. Liu Guozhong of Tsinghua University examined the Saddle horse chapter in the Tsinghua bamboo manuscripts, analyzing the cultural value of excavated documents. Prof. Li Xiaolong of Beijing Normal University, in a lecture titled “What Is Fiction?”, traced the history and future of Chinese fiction from the perspective of literary history. The two talks prompted participants to engage in in-depth reflection on cultural autonomy.

Prof. Liu Guozhong, Tsinghua University

Prof. Li Xiaolong, Beijing Normal University

Thematic Panels: Four Sessions of Ongoing Academic Dialogue

The first session in sub-venue G002 was chaired by Prof. Liu Guozhong and focused on the study of classical texts. Prof. Yeung Siu Kwai of the FED of UM offered an interpretation in relation to Daoist moral teachings; Prof. Pan Wuzheng of Anhui Normal University discussed the value of literary and art education; Prof. Fan Bochong of Sun Yat-sen University examined the evolution of biography forms in the Han and Jin dynasties; Prof. Peng Zhi of the Chinese National Academy of Arts elaborated on dance illustrations from the Ming and Qing dynasties; and Prof. Guo Chaoying of Shandong University analyzed newly discovered ancient manuscripts from the 20th century and the collated fragments of Zilin.

The second session, chaired by Prof. Jin Chengyu, centered on literature and language studies. Prof. Jin Chengyu of Nanjing University re-examined the East Asian history of the epithet “Poetry Son of Heaven” and its derivatives; Prof. Sun Guang of Zhengzhou University discussed the relationship between Confucian classics and literature; Prof. Chen Jichuan of Liaoning University analyzed the spatial construction in court lyrics; Prof. Wang Sihao of the UM focused on Yao Yuan-zhi’s journey to Macao to investigate Macao writings by scholars of the Tongcheng School; Prof. Sio, Chio Ieong of the UM explored how the evolution of the concept of “xing” reflects the linguistic foundations of cultural aphasia and ideological colonization.

Prof. Peng Zhi, Chinese National Academy of Arts

Prof. Sun Guang, Zhengzhou University

The first session in sub-venue G019 was chaired by Prof. Wang Sihao, where five scholars explored cultural identity and intellectual interaction from multiple perspectives. Prof. Kong Deli of the Confucius Research Institute analyzed the evolution of the “community of shared destiny” of family and state, from bloodline-based clans to cultural identity; Prof. Xie Naihe of Northeast Normal University elucidated the theoretical logic underlying the construction of Chinese classical studies; Prof. Zhang Dengde of Shandong Normal University used Adam Smith’s theories as a case study to explore the interaction between Chinese and Western economic thought in modern times; Prof. Tang Chon Chit of the UM examined the power struggles between Emperor Wu of Han and the Dou clan of consort kin; Prof. Liu Yonglian of Jinan University approached Silk Road exchanges and civilizational dialogue from the perspective of silk culture.

The third session, chaired by Prof. Yeung Siu Kwai, brought together five scholars to discuss history and institutions. Prof Yu Wei of Sun Yat-sen University studied the expansion of the Western Zhou; Prof. Wang Jinfeng of East China Normal University analyzed the pre-Qin rural administrative system from the lens of the origins of civilization; Prof. Jing Chao of Nanjing Normal University used the use of wine vessels as an example to explore the Confucian idea; Prof. Zhang Xin of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences offered a ‘New Understandings on “The Table of the Hundred officials and Ministers in The Hanshu’; Prof. Zhang Yue of the UM examined the relationship between cultural autonomy and poems on history in the Six Dynasties.

Prof. Zhang Dengde, Shandong Normal University

By organically combining keynote speeches and thematic panels, the Forum not only deepened the exploration of both classical and frontier issues, but also reinforced Macao’s role as an exchange hub characterized by “Chinese culture as the mainstream and the coexistence of diverse cultures.” Participating scholars noted that the Forum provided an important platform for promoting research on Chinese history and culture and for dialogue among civilizations, achieving innovation in topic design, event formats, and resource integration. Looking ahead, the CCHC of the UM will continue to build on the advantages of its platforms to promote the global dissemination and contemporary transformation of Chinese culture.

Group Photo

     To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and to promote patriotic sentiments and the spirit of revolutionary martyrs, the Centre for Chinese History and Culture at the University of Macau successfully held a themed lecture titled “Willingly Bearing National Worries—The Patriotic Spirit of Two Generations: Martyr Mr. Peng Pai and Academician Mr. Peng Shilu” on the morning of October 31, 2025, at Cultural Building, UM. The lecture featured Ms. Peng Yina, granddaughter of Mr. Peng Pai, a veteran proletarian revolutionary of the Communist Party of China, as the keynote speaker, and was moderated by Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the CCHC ,UM. Distinguished guests in attendance included Ms. Li Fei, President of the Patriotic Education General Association of Macao; Prof. Wei Chuxiong, Part-time  Professor at the CCHC,UM; Dr. Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director; Ms. Kuan Sio In, Leona, Principal Admin Officer; and Ms. Tong Ho Kei, Stephenie, Administrative Staff. The event also drew dozens of participants, including faculty and student representatives from the University of Macau, Chinese Culture Ambassadors, and members from various sectors of society.

From a family history perspective, Ms. Peng Yina reviewed the struggles of Mr. Peng Pai and his descendants throughout modern Chinese history, exploring how the family’s enduring values transformed into an internal driving force for serving national development amid the changes of different eras. Standing at the intersection of history and the future, she captivated the audience with her vivid narrative, leading them into historical scenes and systematically tracing Peng Pai’s transformation from a wealthy family’s son to a revolutionary pioneer. Facing a weak and impoverished nation and the suffering of the people, he traveled to Japan to study and seek national salvation. Upon his return, he renounced his family fortune, went deep into rural areas, established peasant movement training institutes, and led the Haifeng-Lufeng Soviet government, remaining steadfast in his beliefs until his sacrifice. The lecture also mentioned six Party members and martyrs from the Peng family who sacrificed their lives during the Great Revolution, demonstrating this revolutionary family’s spirit of dedication.

The Peng family values have been fully inherited by subsequent generations. Peng Pai’s son, Academician Peng Shilu, overcame childhood hardships and persisted in scientific research despite illness, becoming a founding figure in China’s nuclear submarine and nuclear power endeavors. His granddaughter, Peng Yina, went to Macau when her child was only eight months old, contributing to Macau’s smooth return to China. The Peng family has always upheld the patriotic sentiment of “seeking no fame or profit, dedicating oneself to the nation.” Peng Yina stated: “Inheritance is the best form of commemoration,” and called upon contemporary youth to carry forward the spirit of the martyrs and courageously shoulder the responsibilities of the times.

The lecture concluded successfully amid enthusiastic exchanges between faculty and students. Attendees expressed that this narrative approach based on family history made patriotic education more vivid and profound, giving them a more comprehensive understanding of the spirit of “loving the country and loving Macau” and “patriotic sentiments.” The China Historical and Cultural Centre will continue to explore more diversified educational formats in the future, allowing history to illuminate reality and guiding the younger generation to strengthen their ideals and beliefs through understanding the spirit of their predecessors, consciously shouldering the mission and responsibilities entrusted by the new era.

On 21 October 2025, a delegation from the Centre for Chinese History and Culture of the University of Macau visited Guangzhou for cultural exchange. The delegation successively visited the Guangzhou Museum of Art and the Guangdong Province International Cultural Exchange Center, engaging in in-depth discussions on museum–university collaboration and regional artistic interaction within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. The visit opened new pathways for promoting cultural integration and educational cooperation between the two regions.

Exchange with the Guangzhou Museum of Art: Exploring New Models of Museum–University Collaboration

On the morning of the visit, the delegation first called on the Guangzhou Museum of Art and held a meeting with its Director, Mr. Luo Qi, and other representatives. Prof. Zhang Yan, Director of the CCHC of the UM, held discussions with Director Mr. Luo Qi on the sustainable development of cooperation between the Centre and the museum. Both sides conducted in-depth exchanges on new mechanisms for museum–university collaboration, focusing on practical issues such as resource sharing and joint project development.

The Guangzhou Museum of Art is the only art institution in China that holds both the titles of “National Key Art Museum” and “National First-Class Museum.” Its collection comprises more than 33,000 works (sets), including over 4,000 precious cultural relics. Director Mr. Luo Qi proposed strengthening artistic collaboration within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and suggested jointly curating thematic exhibitions on the Lingnan School of Painting in the future, with a view to tracing its historical development in Macao. Prof. Zhang Yan, in turn, proposed introducing selected collections from the Guangzhou Museum of Art to exhibitions at the UM, thereby promoting the dissemination and research of Lingnan art in Macao. The museum also expressed its willingness to open visiting channels for teachers and students from primary and secondary schools in Macao and to plan themed art experience activities to enhance young people’s understanding of traditional culture.

Exhibition Visit

Following the symposium, the delegation visited the exhibition “In Commemoration of the 110th Anniversary of Lai Shaoqi’s Birth: Creation as My Own—Lai Shaoqi and the Study of Modern Landscape Painting,” gaining a deeper appreciation of the profound heritage of traditional Chinese culture and its contemporary innovations.

Meeting with the Guangdong Province International Cultural Exchange Center: Advancing a Mechanism for Regular Cooperation

In the afternoon, the delegation proceeded to Guangdong Province International Cultural Exchange Center for further discussions. The meeting focused on four major themes: cross-regional cultural exchange, resource sharing, multi-party cooperation, and the establishment of regular exchange mechanisms. Participants unanimously agreed that full advantage should be taken of the geographical proximity and shared cultural roots of Guangdong and Macao to build a long-term cooperation framework with art as the bond and education as the vehicle.

At the meeting, Dr. Cheang Neng Ian, Deputy Director of the CCHC, reported to Mr. Lin Xiong, Chairman of the Guangdong Province International Cultural Exchange Center, on CCHC’s progress and achievements in promoting cultural education in Macao over the past several years, as well as the challenges encountered and efforts made along the way.

Chairman Mr. Lin Xiong highly commended the accomplishments of CCHC and pledged strong support for its future initiatives, with a view to jointly advancing cultural exchange between Guangdong and Macao. Mr. Luo Zhichao, Secretary-General of the Center, introduced that its board members include representatives from various sectors of the cultural community across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and noted that the Center could actively mobilize board resources in the future to promote diverse forms of exchange, including cooperation on intangible cultural heritage projects.

Prof. Zhang Yan further proposed organizing joint academic forums, touring exhibitions, and artistic creation programs to promote talent cultivation and resource sharing, while also exploring the establishment of digital collaboration platforms and exchange bases to enhance regional cultural communication capacity. Ms. Kuan Sio In, Principal Admin Officer of the Centren Officerosed organizing joint academic forums, touring exhibitions, and artistic creation programs to promote talent cultivation and resource sharing, while also explo–Macao cultural collaborationosed organizing joint academic forums, touring exhibitions, and artistic creation programs to promote talent cultivo.

Presentation of Commemorative Gifts

Deepening Cooperation and Jointly Drawing a New Blueprint for Bay Area Culture

This visit further consolidated the foundation of cooperation between the CCHC of the UM and Guangdong in the field of cultural education, while injecting new momentum into the building of a humanistic community in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Both sides expressed their commitment to continued and deepened interaction, jointly promoting the inheritance and innovation of outstanding Lingnan traditional culture within the Bay Area and contributing to the international dissemination of Chinese culture.

Participants in the symposium included Mr. Yu Kun’ai, Deputy Secretary-General of the Guangdong Province International Cultural Exchange Center; Mr. Lin Shuguang, Deputy Secretary-General; Ms. Zhang Jian from the Secretariat; Administrative staff of the CCHC of the UMaca and Chinese Culture Promotion Ambassadors.