The opening ceremony of the 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo. [Photo provided to silkroadexpo.gogansu.com]

The opening ceremony of the 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo was held in Dunhuang, Gansu province, on Nov 3, bringing together guests from home and abroad to deepen cultural exchange and cooperation.

Dunhuang, a key hub on the ancient Silk Road, has long served as a confluence of diverse beliefs, languages and arts. Over the past decade, the expo has become an important platform for mutual learning and people-to-people connections, attracting nearly 10,000 participants from more than 120 countries and regions.

Under the theme "Strengthening Cultural Exchanges and Promoting Mutual Learning Among Civilizations", the expo also hosts the 2026 International Copyright Forum.

The forum focuses on copyright and creative industries in the digital-intelligence era, discussing the preservation of cultural heritage, the development of creative industries, and digital technology empowering traditional culture. It explores how intellectual property can protect cultural treasures and help connect traditional skills with contemporary creative markets.

At the opening ceremony, participants agreed that there is no civilizational hierarchy and that paths toward modernization should be varied and open. The expo advocates respect for cultural diversity and promotes joint archaeology, heritage restoration, exhibition exchanges, and cooperation in tourism and education.

Participants expect the expo to carry forward the Silk Road spirit and promote the use of digital technology to help create a community with a shared future for mankind. High-level cultural exchange activities will also be held.