The Digital Silk Road Begins: Culture and Innovation Aligned in Beijing Declaration

Themed “Regional Collaboration and Educational Innovation: Building a Talent Ecosystem for Culture and Technology Integration through Sino-Thai Cooperation,” the conference aimed to promote innovative practices in combining global culture and technology through interdisciplinary and cross-cultural collaboration.

At the event, the Beijing Declaration of the Global Alliance for Innovative Development in Culture and Technology Integration was officially released. It highlighted the core philosophy of “connection, empowerment, and symbiosis”—with the vision of creating an ecosystem where culture and technology reinforce each other. Alliance members pledged to build a multi-stakeholder platform integrating government, industry, academia, research, application, and finance.

Key initiatives announced include:

• Leadership Development Program – cultivating leaders with cross-cultural and cross-technological competencies
• Innovation Laboratory Program – establishing collaborative labs for AI, XR interaction, and digital villages
• Thousand Sails Overseas Program – supporting international talent exchange and applied innovation

Prof. Xiang Yong, Dean of the Institute for Cultural Industries at Peking University, emphasized that the alliance represents “a new phase of collaborative creation in the global integration of culture and technology” by sharing resources and exploring sustainable development pathways with international impact.

Roundtable discussions engaged representatives from China, Thailand, South Korea, France, and other regions. AU’s Asst. Prof. Dr. Narong Aphiratsakun, Dean of the Vincent Mary School of Engineering, Science and Technology, underscored the importance of the Sino-Thai Credit Transfer Program and Cross-border Internship Platform in preparing future talents. Industry leaders, including Wang Yuyun, Chairman of Perfect World Holdings, also proposed collaborative laboratories, while Renmin University highlighted a Dual-Mentor System for bridging academia and industry.

The meeting further announced the Sino-Thai Talent Program for Culture-Technology Integration, which will establish scholarships, joint research centers, and annual international summits over the next three years to strengthen knowledge transfer and talent mobility.

Looking forward, the Alliance envisions creating a global “innovation field” for culture-technology integration through joint labs, digital cultural exhibitions, and international academic exchanges—facilitating the global circulation of technology, creativity, and capital.

Relevant SDGs:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – Promoting interdisciplinary education, talent mobility, and cross-border academic exchanges.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Cultivating future-ready professionals equipped with technological and creative competencies.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Advancing innovation through the integration of culture and technology in industrial and academic applications.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Providing equitable opportunities for students and researchers across countries and institutions.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Supporting digital village initiatives and culturally sustainable development.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Strengthening global collaboration between governments, academia, industry, and social organizations.